Psychosis Treatment Optimization Program (PTOP)

Mental Health - Adult

Provided by Fraser Health

Supports clients living with psychosis who require close monitoring as a result of their Clozapine medication treatment.
Psychosis treatment optimization program (PTOP) is a community-based program that works with people who are taking Clozapine to manage treatment-resistant psychosis.

Clients of the program have typically tried at least two other anti-psychotic medications with poor symptom resolution before trying Clozapine as a medication treatment. About one-third of all individuals that have psychosis will not respond well to certain antipsychotic medications. If a person does not respond well to two different antipsychotic medications, they are considered to be treatment resistant.

Being treatment resistant to psychosis means the clients often continue to have symptoms such as hearing voices, believing people are trying to hurt them, and/or having trouble thinking and communicating even when on medication. These symptoms can impact their ability to have good relationships, work, or go to school.

Clients Can Expect:
  • Support the initiation of Clozapine medication therapy in community setting, if appropriate.
  • Clozapine blood work monitoring and support mitigating any side effects or lab work alerts.
  • Ongoing support for primary care providers (i.e., family doctors and nurse practitioners in the community) related to Clozapine and blood work monitoring.
    • Some examples of support provided are Clozapine vendor registration updates and referrals to vendor specialists such as hematologists and cardiologists.

Eligibility:
  • Individuals with a mental health diagnosis that includes psychosis as a symptom feature (except for psychosis related to dementia).
  • At least one of the following:
    • Two unsuccessful trials of antipsychotics
    • History of inadequate Clozapine trials due to side effects, and/or heart- or blood-related issues
    • Requiring multiple antipsychotics and/or higher doses for symptom control
    • Regular use of medication to manage movement-related side effects like tremors, stiffness, shaking, etc.
    • Metabolic issues or BMI above 30
  • Mental Health and Substance Use pharmacy may be consulted to review the following: current medication concerns and drug interactions, switching and Clozapine start recommendations. Consults are focused on medication optimization and management as well as monitoring side effects.

Referral Information:
Referrals can be made by your family doctor or your psychiatrist.

1. Use the internal referral process if you use the Paris system.
  • Fax additional information to the office where the client will be seen.

2. Complete the referral form if you are not on Paris and fax it to the office where the client will be seen with the following additional information.
  • The psychiatric diagnosis.
  • A recent psychiatric assessment.
  • A current medication list.
  • Recent blood work including a complete blood count.

604-453-1900 (Burnaby & New Westminster)

Website: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service...

Burnaby Community Mental Health and Substance Use Centre - 100-4940 Canada Way, Burnaby, British Columbia, V5G 3T3

Catchment area: Burnaby & New Westminster
New Westminster is also supported by the Burnaby clinician.
Pay parking and limited free street parking available nearby. Public transportation nearby.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

604-948-7010 (Delta, White Rock, South Surrey & Langley)

Delta South Mental Health and Substance Use Centre - #15, 1835 56 Street, Delta, British Columbia, V4L 2L8

Catchment area: Delta, White Rock, South Surrey & Langley
Delta North, White Rock/ South Surrey, and Langley are also covered by the Delta South clinician.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

604-777-8400 (Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge) ext. 543306

Tri-Cities Mental Health and Substance Use Centre - #1, 2232 Elgin Ave, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, V3C 2B2

Catchment area: Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge
Delta North, White Rock/ South Surrey, and Langley are also covered by the Delta South clinician.
Free parking on the street
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

604-814-5631 (Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz & Hope)

Mission Mental Health and Substance Use Centre - 7298 Hurd Street, Mission, British Columbia, V2V 3H5

Catchment area: Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Agassiz & Hope
PTOP east serves Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and Agassiz.
Located on the 3rd Floor.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

604-953-4900 (Surrey)

Surrey Mental Health and Substance Use Centre - #1100, 13401 108th Avenue, Surrey, British Columbia, V3T 5T3

Catchment Area: Surrey
Located at the Gateway Skytrain Station.
Hours of Operation: Monday - Sunday, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Cost: No cost

Referral options:

  • Family physician or nurse practitioner referral
  • Health Authority personnel referral

Details: Fraser Health staff only - i.e. Internal Referrals Only (note with the occasional community GP referral)

Brochures and Info
Associated Programs/Services

Also offered by Fraser Health:

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Availability

Service area: Fraser Health Area + show cities

Service area cities: Abbotsford, Agassiz, Aldergrove, Anmore, Boston Bar, Burnaby, Chilliwack, Coquitlam, Delta, Fort Langley, Harrison Mills, Hope, Ladner, Langley, Maple Ridge, Mission, New Westminster, North Delta, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Sardis, South Surrey, Surrey, Tsawwassen, White Rock, and Yale

Service Types Provided
Ways to Access
  • Provided 1:1 in-person

The listing of this service in Pathways is not a recommendation or endorsement by Pathways.

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