Patient Education & Treatment Policy: Administration of Spravato (Esketamine)
1. Purpose:
The aim of this policy is to ensure the patient understands their current regimen and administration procedure of Spravato (esketamine), a nasal spray used in treating resistant depression. This policy also includes the monitoring procedure by a trained healthcare professional.
2. Patient Understanding of Current Regimen:
Before the administration of Spravato, the patient must understand their current treatment regimen. The patient is informed about the medication they are currently taking, the purpose, dosage, and side effects. They must understand the importance of adherence to their current regimen, including antidepressant medication, and the potential consequences of non-compliance.
3. Description of Spravato:
Spravato (esketamine) is a medicine that's used along with an antidepressant taken by mouth, for adults with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It is administered under the supervision of a healthcare professional. Esketamine is a glutamate receptor modulator and it is thought to help restore synaptic connections in brain cells in people with major depressive disorder.
4. Patient Education on Spravato:
Patients will be educated about the drug's purpose, dosage, administration process, potential side effects, risks, and benefits. Patients will also be informed about the need for continued treatment with their current oral antidepressant. They must understand that Spravato is not a first-line treatment for depression and is used when other treatments have failed.
5. Administration of Spravato:
Administration of Spravato will always be conducted in a clinic under the supervision of a healthcare professional. The patient will self-administer Spravato nasal spray under the direct observation of a healthcare provider and will remain under observation at the clinic for at least 2 hours post-administration. Transportation arrangements must be in place as the patient should not drive or operate machinery until the next day after a restful sleep.
6. Monitoring of the Patient:
Patients will be monitored by healthcare professionals for at least two hours after administration for potential side effects, including sedation, dissociation, increase in blood pressure and other adverse reactions. Patient’s pulse, blood pressure, and level of consciousness will be regularly monitored.
7. Follow-up and Continuity of Care:
The treating clinician will conduct a thorough review of the patient's response to Spravato, side effects, and overall health at every visit. Continuation or adjustment of the treatment will be based on the patient’s symptoms, response to treatment and overall health condition.
By signing this policy, the patient acknowledges their understanding and agreement to the current regimen and administration procedure of Spravato (esketamine). The signatory also certifies that they have been educated on the procedure by a trained staff member of the psychiatric practice.