Emergency Policy
Our practice does not provide emergency or crisis services.
- If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, including but not limited to suicidal thoughts, homicidal thoughts, severe emotional distress, hallucinations, chest pain, or danger to yourself or others, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
- For mental health crises, you may also contact:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988)
- Your local emergency services
Messages left with our office (voicemail, email, patient portal) are not monitored 24/7 and should never be used for urgent or emergent concerns.
Medication Policy
- Medication Management
- Psychiatric medications are prescribed only after a comprehensive evaluation and clinical determination of medical necessity.
- Medications are prescribed as part of an ongoing treatment relationship and require regular follow-up appointments.
- Patients are expected to take medications exactly as prescribed and to report side effects, concerns, or changes in symptoms promptly.
- Refills
- Medication refills require advance notice (typically 3–5 business days).
- Refills are not guaranteed if follow-up appointments are overdue.
- Controlled substances require scheduled follow-up visits and may not be refilled early.
- Controlled Substances
- Prescriptions for controlled substances (e.g., stimulants, benzodiazepines) are issued in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- Early refills, replacement of lost or stolen medications, or dose changes without evaluation are generally not permitted.
- Random urine drug screening, pill counts, and prescription monitoring program (PMP) checks may be required.
- Pharmacy & Safety
- It is the patient’s responsibility to provide accurate pharmacy information.
- Medications should be stored securely and never shared.
- Our practice is not responsible for delays caused by pharmacies, insurance prior authorizations, or manufacturer shortages.
- Communication About Medications
- Medication questions should be addressed during scheduled appointments whenever possible.
- Brief, non-urgent questions may be sent through the patient portal.
- Changes to medications are not made via email or voicemail.
- Policy Acknowledgment
By receiving care from our practice, patients acknowledge understanding of and agreement with this Emergency & Medication Policy.
Abebe Belete, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Phone: (206) 819-0287
Fax: (253)300-0348
Email: rayapsychiatryservices@gmail.com
- Policy Acknowledgment
By receiving care from our practice, patients acknowledge understanding of and agreement with this Emergency & Medication Policy.
Abebe Belete, DNP, PMHNP-BC
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Phone: (206) 819-0287
Fax: (253)300-0348
