Oceanaire Treatment | Medical Complications with Eating Disorders | When to Refer | Physicians | Psychiatrists | Therapists

Living Room at Oceanaire

When to Refer

Oceanaire follows the American Psychological Guidelines to identify the appropriate level of care for treating women struggling with eating disorders. Below is information on when to refer to residential treatment as well as the associated medical complications with eating disorders.

It is often a difficult decision for Physicians, Psychiatrists, Therapists, Registered Dieticians and other professionals to decide on the critical point at which someone needs to be referred to residential treatment. However, this moment is significant to the individual’s recovery and one of the most important decisions a professional will make with the client. Therefore, we have outlined a few suggestions on when to refer to residential treatment based on the American Psychological Association Guidelines to Levels of Care (June 2006).

When to Refer to Residential Treatment

Failure to improve in an outpatient setting
Inability to provide structured treatment or support system in the home environment
Inability to stop maladaptive behaviors
Resistant to treatment or help
The motivation to recover including cooperativeness, insight, and ability to control obsessive thoughts is poor to fair
Possible plan for suicide (or suicide ideation) but no intent

Eating Disorder Residential Treatment

If the client is generally <85% ideal body weight (another important factor is the rate of weight loss over time)
Client is medically stable to the extent that intravenous fluids, nasogastric tube feedings, or multiple laboratory tests are not needed
Has difficulty with desire to purge and needs supervision during and after all meals
Structure is needed for eating or gaining weight, and the person needs supervision at all meals or will restrict eating
Inability to control amount of exercising