Correctional health professionals commonly encounter individuals with serious mental illness who demonstrate psychotropic medication refusal. Administering these medications on an involuntary basis and/or the use of emergency medications may be required. This presentation will review the appropriate use of compelled/forced versus emergency medication treatment. Legal cases, community versus correctional practices, relevant NCCHC standards, due process proceedings, risk management, and patient safety protections will all be reviewed.

Educational Objectives:

• Explore setting-specific approaches to compelled medications in the jail, prison, or community setting
• Describe legal landmark cases relevant to involuntary and compelled medication use
• Discuss how NCCHC standards can be applied when developing policies, procedures, and practices around involuntary and compelled medication use

Level: Intermediate