| (a) A thorough evaluation of the patient's psychiatric and physical status with review of pertinent laboratory findings shall be done within 30 days prior to the initiation of a course of ECT and shall be recorded in the patient's permanent medical record. Physical evaluation shall include a neurological examination. Other determinations shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) laboratory as appropriate to medical history and/or conditions, such as: (A) complete blood count; (B) electrolytes; and (C) serum pseudocholinesterase if there is no documentation of successful use of muscle relaxant medication with general anesthesia, and if there is no record of previous testing; (2) x-rays as appropriate to medical history and/or conditions; (3) electrocardiogram. (b) Abnormalities reported or found in the neurological or cardiac evaluation shall be evaluated by a medical specialist in the appropriate field, such evaluation to be incorporated in writing into the patient's permanent record prior to initiation of ECT. |
