Clinical Practice Guidelines

CBHA recognizes the importance of utilizing consistent approaches to treatment that meet established industry standards and has established a method for adopting nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines to ensure individuals included in its enrollee population with identified diagnoses receive treatment within those guidelines. All guidelines adopted by CBHA are initially reviewed and approved by the BQIC and are re-reviewed every two years or at any time a change occurs. Clinical practice guidelines are disseminated to providers through direct mailings, e-mail or the Internet. Relevant portions or versions of adopted guidelines may be distributed to affected enrollees upon request. Providers are audited for adherence to guidelines through review of medical records and treatment plans. Information is evaluated to determine whether the treatment provided to enrollees follows the adopted guideline.

Alcohol Detoxification

Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA - Ar)

Many qualification instruments have been developed for monitoring alcohol withdrawal (Guthrie, 1989; Sullivan et al., 1989; Sellers & Naranjo, 1983). No single instrument is significantly superior to others. What is clear is that there are significant clinical advantages to quantifying the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Quantification is key to preventing excess morbidity and mortality in a group of patients who are at risk for alcohol withdrawal. Such instruments help clinical personnel recognize the process of withdrawal before it progresses to more advanced stages, such as delirium tremens. By intervening with appropriate pharmacotherapy in those patients who require it, while sparing the majority of patients whose syndromes do not progress to that point, the clinician can prevent over and under treatment of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Finally, quantifying and monitoring the withdrawal process can modify the treatment regimen modified as needed.

The best known and most extensively studied scale is the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment - Alcohol (CIWA - A) and a shortened version, the CIWA - A revised (CIWA - Ar). This scale has well-documented reliability, reproducibility and validity, based on comparison to ratings by expert clinicians (Knott, et al., 1981; Wiehl, et al., 1994; Sullivan, et al., 1989). From 30 signs and symptoms, the scale has been carefully refined to a list of 10 signs and symptoms in the CIWA - Ar (Wiehl, et al., 1994). It is thus easy to use and has been shown to be feasible to use in a variety of clinical settings, including detoxification units (Naranjo, et al., 1983; Hoey, et al., 1994), psychiatry units (Heinala, et al., 1990), and general medical/surgical wards (Young, et al., 1987; Katta, 1991). The CIWA - Ar has added usefulness because high scores, in addition to indicating severe withdrawal, are also predictive of the development of seizures and delirium (Naranjo, et al., 1983; Young, et al., 1987).

Copied from: ASAM Patient Placement Criteria, Second Edition - Revised
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES: ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION

Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, Revised (CIWA - Ar)

What it Measures: The CIWA - Ar can measure 10 symptoms. Scores of less than 8 to 10 indicate minimal to mild withdrawal. Scores of 8 to 15 indicate moderate withdrawal (marked autonomic arousal); and scores of 15 or more indicate severe withdrawal. The assessment requires 2 minutes to perform (Sullivan, et al, 1989).

CIWA - Ar categories, with the range of scores in each category, are as follows:

A study of the revised version of the CIWA predicted that those with a score of >15 were at increased risk for severe alcohol withdrawal (RR 3.72; 95% confidence interval 2.82 - 4.85) the higher the score the greater the risk. Some patients (6.4%) still suffered complications, despite low scores, if left untreated (Foy, et al., 1988).

EXAMPLE - ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION PROTOCOL The following is an example of a protocol developed around the use of the CIWA - Ar in an alcohol detoxification program:

  1. CIWA to be completed on admission and q 8 hours for a period of 24 hours.
  2. Determine and record blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by breathalyzer on admission.
  3. Vital signs: pulse rate and BP q 4 hours. Call physician if patient has HR > 110mmHg, DBP > 120 mmHg, or SBP > 180 mmHg.
  4. Obtain serum glucose, HFP (hepatic function profile), CMEP (comprehensive metabolic panel, CBC w/DIFF and urine for drug screen.
  5. Give Thiamine 100 mg IM now, and then Thiamine 100 mg PO bid times 3 days.
  6. If CIWA score is > 0 but < 8 and vital signs are stable, no medication is required. Repeat vital signs q 4 hours and the CIWA q 8 hours. (May repeat CIWA and vital signs as needed.)
  7. If CIWA is > 8 but < 15, give Lorazepam (Ativan) 2 mg PO/IM and repeat vital signs q 2 hours and the CIWA q 4 hours.
  8. If CIWA is >15 or DBP > 110 mmHg, give Lorazepam (Ativan) 2 mg PO/IM q 1 hour until patient has a CIWA of < 15 or DBP < 110 mmHg (CIWA and vital signs checked q 1 hour until patient's CIWA is < 15 and DBP < 110 mmHg.) When CIWA is between 8 and 15, give Lorazepam (Ativan) 2 mg PO/IM and resume vital signs q 2 hours and the CIWA q 4 hours.
  9. CALL MD IF PATIENT EQUIRES > 6 mg OF LORAZEPAM (ATIVAN) IN THREE HOURS.
  10. May awaken patient to complete CIWA and vital signs.
  11. When CIWA is < 8 for 3 consecutive 8-hour increments, d/c CIWA protocol.

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Clinical Practice Guidelines: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

AACAP Official Action:

OUTLINE OF PRACTICE PARAMETERS FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS WITH ADHD

Reprinted with permission from: J. AM. ACAD. CHILD ADOLESC. PSYCHIATRY, 36.10 SUPPLEMENT, OCTOBER 1997

CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 12 YEARS

  1. Initial evaluation (a complete psychiatric assessment is indicated; see Practice Parameters for the Psychiatric Assessment of Children and Adolescents [American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1995]).
    1. Interview with parents.
      1. Child's history.
        1. Developmental history.
        2. DSM (most recently-published edition) symptoms of ADHD
          1. Presence or absence (may use symptom or criterion checklist).
          2. Development and context of symptoms and resulting impairment, including school (learning, academic productivity, and behavior), family and peers.
        3. DSM (most recently-published edition) symptoms of possible alternate or co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis.
        4. History of psychiatric, psychological, pediatric, or neurological treatment for ADHD;details of medication trials.
        5. Areas of relative strength (e.g., talents and abilities).
        6. Medical History.
          1. Medical or neurological primary diagnosis (e.g., phenobarbital, antihistimines, theophylline, sympathomimetics, steroids).
          2. Medications that could cause symptoms (e.g., phenobarbital, antihistimines, theophylline, sympathomimetics, steroids).
      2. Family history:
        1. ADHD, tic disorders, substance-use disorders, CD, personality disorders, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and other anxiety disorders, schizophrenia.
        2. Developmental and learning disorders.
        3. Family coping style, level of organization, and resources.
        4. Past and present family stressors, crises, changes in family constellation.
        5. Abuse or neglect.
    2. Standardized rating scales completed by parents.
    3. School information from as many current and past teachers as possible.
      1. Standardized rating scales.
      2. Verbal reports of learning, academic productivity, and behavior.
      3. Testing reports (e.g., standardized group achievement tests, individual evaluations).
      4. Grade and attendance records.
      5. Individual educational plan (IEP), if applicable.
      6. Observations at school if feasible and if case is complex.
    4. Child diagnostic interview: history and mental status examination.
      1. Symptoms of ADHD (note: may not be observable during interview and may be denied by child).
      2. Oppositional behavior.
      3. Aggressive behavior.
      4. Mood and affect.
      5. Anxiety.
      6. Obsessions or compulsions.
      7. Form, content, and logic of thinking and perception.
      8. Fine and gross motor coordination.
      9. Tics, stereotypes, or mannerisms.
      10. Speech and language abilities.
      11. Clinical estimate of intelligence.
    5. Family diagnostic interview.
      1. Patient's behavior with parents and siblings.
      2. Parental interventions and results.
    6. Physical evaluation.
      1. Medical history and examination within past 12 months or more recently if the clinical condition has changed.
      2. Documentation of health history, immunizations, screening for lead level, etc.
      3. Measurement of lead level (if not already done) only if history suggests pica or environmental exposure.
      4. Documentation or evaluation of visual acuity.Documentation or evaluation of hearing acuity.
      5. Further medical or neurological evaluation as indicated.
      6. In preparation for pharmacotherapy.
        1. Baseline documentation of height, weight, vital signs, and abnormal movements.
        2. ECG before TCA or clonidine.
        3. Consider EEG before TCA or bupropion, if indicated.
        4. Liver function studies before pemoline.
      7. Referral for additional evaluations if indicated.
        1. Psycho educational evaluation (administered individually).
          1. IQ.
          2. Academic development.
          3. Learning disorders.
        2. Neuropsychological testing.
        3. Speech and language evaluation.
        4. Occupational therapy evaluation.
        5. Recreational therapy evaluation.
  2. Psychiatric differential diagnosis.
    1. ODD.
    2. CD.
    3. Mood disorders-depression or mania.
    4. Anxiety disorders.
    5. Tic disorder (including Tourette's disorder).
    6. Pica.
    7. Substance use disorder.
    8. Learning disorder.
    9. Pervasive developmental disorder.
    10. Mental retardation or borderline intellectual functioning.
  3. Treatment planning.
    1. Establish target symptoms and baseline impairment (rating scales may be useful).
    2. Consider treatment for co-morbid conditions.
    3. Prioritize modalities to fit target symptoms and available resources.
      1. Education about ADHD.
      2. Classroom placement and resources.
      3. Medication.
      4. Other modalities may assist with remaining target symptoms.
    4. Monitor multiple domains of functioning.
      1. Learning in key subjects (achievement tests, classroom tests, homework, class work).
      2. Academic productivity (homework, class work).
      3. Emotional functioning.
      4. Family interactions.
      5. Peer relationships.
      6. If on medication, appropriate monitoring of height, weight, vital signs, and relevant laboratoryparameters.
    5. Reevaluate efficacy and need for additional interventions.
    6. Maintain long-term supportive contact with patient, family, and school.
      1. Ensure compliance with treatment.
      2. Address problems at new developmental stages or in response to family or environmental changes.
  4. Treatment.
    1. Education of parents, child, and significant adults.
    2. School interventions.
      1. Ensure appropriate class placement and availability of needed resources (e.g., tutoring).
      2. Consult or collaborate with teachers and other school personnel.
        1. Information about ADHD.
        2. Educational techniques.
        3. Behavior management.
      3. Direct behavior modification program when possible and if problems are severe in school setting.
    3. Medication.
      1. Stimulants.
      2. Bupropion.
      3. TCAs.
      4. Other antidepressants.
      5. Clonidine or guanfacine (primarily as an adjunct to a stimulant).
      6. Neuroleptics-risks usually exceed benefits in treatment of ADHD; consider carefully before use.
      7. Anticonvulsants-few data support use in the absence of seizure disorder or brain damage.
    4. Psychological interventions.
      1. Parent behavior modification training.
      2. Referral to parent support group, such as CHADD.
      3. Family psychotherapy if family dysfunction is present.
      4. Social skills group therapy for peer problems.
      5. Individual therapy for co-morbid problems, not core ADHD.
      6. Summer day treatment.
    5. Ancillary treatments.
      1. Speech and language therapy.
      2. Occupational therapy.
      3. Recreational therapy.
    6. Dietary treatment rarely is useful.
    7. Other treatments are outside the realm of the usual practice of child and adolescent psychiatry and are not recommended.

CHILDREN AGED 3 TO 5 YEARS

Same protocol as above, except for the following.

  1. Evaluation.
    1. Higher index of suspicion for neglect, abuse, or other environmental factors.
    2. More likely to require evaluation of lead level.
    3. More likely to require evaluation of:
      1. Speech and language disorders.
      2. Cognitive development.
  2. Treatment.
    1. Increased emphasis on parent training.
    2. Highly structured preschool.
    3. Additive-free diet occasionally may be useful.
    4. If medications are used, exercise more caution, use lower doses, and monitor more frequently.

ADOLESCENTS

Same protocol as for children aged 6 to 12 years, except for the following.

  1. Higher index of suspicion for co morbidity with:
    1. CD.
    2. Substance-use disorder.
    3. Suicidality.
  2. Teacher reports less useful in middle and high school than in grammar school.
  3. Patient must participate actively in treatment.
  4. Increased risk of medication abuse by patient or peers.
  5. Greater need for vocational evaluation, counseling, or training.
  6. Evaluate patient's safe driving practices.

ADULTS

  1. Initial evaluation (a complete psychiatric assessment is indicated; see American Psychiatric Association Work Group on Psychiatric Evaluation of Adults [1995]).
    1. Interview with patient.
      1. Developmental history.
      2. Present and past DSM (most recently-published edition) symptoms of ADHD (may use symptom or criterion checklist or self-report form).
      3. History of development and context of symptoms and resulting past and present impairment.
        1. School (learning, academic productivity, and behavior).
        2. Work.
        3. Family.
        4. Peers.
      4. History of other psychiatric disorders.
      5. History of psychiatric treatment.
      6. DSM (most recently-published edition) symptoms of possible alternate or comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, especially:
        1. Personality disorder.
        2. Mood disorders-depression or mania.
        3. Anxiety disorders.
        4. Dissociative disorder.
        5. Tic disorder (including Tourette's disorder).
        6. Substance use disorder.
        7. Learning disorders.
      7. Strengths (e.g., talents and abilities).
      8. Mental status examination.
    2. Standardized rating scales completed by the patient's parent.
    3. Medical history.
      1. Medical or neurological primary diagnosis (e.g., thyroid disease, seizure disorder, migraine, head trauma).
      2. Medications that could be causing symptoms (e.g., phenobarbital, antihistamines, theophylline, sympathomimetics, steroids).
    4. Family history.
      1. ADHD, tic disorders, substance use disorders, CD, personality disorders, mood disorders, anxiety disorders.
      2. Developmental and learning disorders.
      3. Family coping style, level of organization, and resources.
      4. Family stressors.
      5. Abuse or neglect (as victim or perpetrator).
    5. Interview with significant other or parent, if available.
    6. Physical examination.
      1. Examination within 12 months or more recently if clinical condition has changed.
      2. Further medical or neurological evaluation as indicated.
    7. School information.
      1. Standardized rating scales if completed during childhood.
      2. Narrative childhood reports regarding learning, academic productivity, and behavior.
      3. Reports of testing (e.g., standardized group achievement tests and individual evaluations).
      4. Grades and attendance records.
    8. Referral for additional evaluations if indicated.
      1. Psycho educational evaluation.
        1. IQ.
        2. Academic achievement.
        3. Learning disorders evaluation.
      2. Neuropsychological testing.
      3. Vocational evaluation.
  2. Treatment planning.
    1. Establish target symptoms of ADHD and baseline levels of impairment.
    2. Consider treatment for co-morbid conditions (monitor possible drug-seeking behavior).
    3. Prioritize modalities to fit target symptoms and available resources.
    4. Monitor multiple domains of functioning.
      1. Academic or vocational.
      2. Daily living skills.
      3. Emotional adjustment.
      4. Family interactions.
      5. Social relationships.
      6. Medication response.
    5. Periodically reevaluate the efficacy of and need for additional interventions.
    6. Maintain long-term supportive contact with the patient and family to ensure compliance with treatment and to address new problems that arise.
  3. Treatment.
    1. Education for patient, spouse, or other significant persons.
    2. Consideration of vocational evaluation, counseling, or training.
    3. Medication.
      1. Stimulants.
      2. Tricyclic antidepressants.
      3. Other antidepressants.
      4. Other drugs (buspirone, propranolol).
    4. Psychosocial interventions.
      1. Individual cognitive therapy; "coaching."
      2. Family psychotherapy if dysfunction is present.
      3. Referral to support group, such as CHADD.
    5. Other treatments are outside the realm of the usual practice of psychiatry.