UW-Stout Eating Disorder Multidisciplinary Team
Treatment and Referral Guidelines*
At the University of Wisconsin-Stout, a multidisciplinary approach is taken to the treatment of eating
disorders. Professionals around campus in the areas of physical, nutritional, and mental health work
together to provide a student struggling with eating disorder symptoms with comprehensive care. The
following are criteria composed by the UW-Stout Multidisciplinary Eating Disorder Team to assist the
team in determining the appropriate level of treatment for a student with eating disorder behaviors.
Based on these criteria, decisions will be made about whether to offer services on campus or to offer
referral resources off campus. Eating disorder services on campus will incorporate nutrition, counseling,
and medical resources.
Considerations for a referral off campus for treatment:
1. Failure to maintain a percentage of body weight based on BMI of 18 or above, and
continued weight loss
2. Severe depression involving suicidal ideation
3. Use of illicit substances to facilitate weight loss (e.g., cocaine) and/or the presence of
restriction while engaging in frequent binge drinking.
4. Engaging in excessive physical activity that is of danger to self and/or prevents weight
maintenance and/or gain.
5. Failure to maintain food intake to meet daily nutritional needs.
6. Continued or increased use of self-abusive behavior related to the eating disorder including
but not limited to excessive purging behaviors.
7. Any additional criteria deemed appropriate by treatment team.
8. For individual circumstances, where an off campus community referral is warranted or
preferred, off campus treatment may be recommended vs. on campus.
Criteria for identifying and responding to students with serious health and safety risks:
In some circumstances, students with eating disorders may present with a serious health and safety risk
where a more immediate intervention is warranted. In these cases, appropriate treatment of a student’s
eating disorder may require taking a leave of absence from school. Under these circumstances, the team
may notify the Dean of Students Office and Student’s of Concern Team to share a recommendation
regarding the individual’s immediate treatment needs and work in collaboration to facilitate appropriate
referrals. The team has defined serious health and safety risk as a failure to maintain a BMI of 16 or
above and one or more of the following criteria is met:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Lack of ability to engage in services and/or noncompliance with treatment plan
Failure to attend class or significant decline in academic performance
Engaging in behavior that is disruptive to the university environment
Significant abnormalities in metabolic /electrolyte change
Physical symptoms including but not limited to cardiac compromise, dehydration, dizziness,
fainting that affect student’s ability to function on campus.
6. Any additional criteria deemed appropriate by treatment team .
Outside Referral Resources
Emily Program (outpatient, intensive outpatient, intensive day treatment, residential)
Stillwater, MN- 651-645-5323
St. Paul, MN- 651-645-5323
Burnsville, MN- 651-643-5323
St. Louis Park, MN- 952-746-5774
Duluth, MN- 218-722-4180
Anna Westin House (Residential Program), Chaska, MN- 952-361-4279
**Melissa Oliveraz- 651-645-5323 provides assistance for students without insurance
Melrose Institute-Park Nicollet Hospital (outpatient, intensive outpatient, inpatient, residential)
St. Louis Park, MN- 952-993-6200
Rogers Memorial (partial hospitalization, residential)
Milwaukee Area (Oconomowoc, WI) - 1-800-767-4411
*Guidelines drafted in 2009/10 by:
Jill Salsman, PhD, LP (Counseling Center)
Lynn Murel, MD (Student Health Services)
Lisa Eierman, MS, RD (University Dining Services)
UW-Stout Eating Disorder Multidisciplinary Team
Description of Services
At the University of Wisconsin-Stout, a multidisciplinary approach is taken to the treatment of eating
disorders. Professionals around campus in the areas of physical, nutritional, and mental health work
together to provide a student struggling with eating disorder symptoms with comprehensive care. This
approach has shown to be effective for the treatment of eating disorders and is consistent with
treatment of eating disorders in a university setting. The members of team include a dietitian,
counselor/psychologist, and physician. Team members recommend students to pursue the following
treatment when choosing to address their eating concerns on campus:
(1) Medical Care
a. Schedule an appointment with a physician at Student Health Services (North
Campus, Corner of Broadway and 1st Ave. West, 715-232-1314) for a medical
evaluation to rule out physical complications associated with eating disorders. This
physical evaluation involves blood work and an initial assessment of weight.
b. Attend regularly scheduled appointments with your medical provider to monitor
progress
c. Medication management if applicable
(2) Nutrition Care
a. Schedule an appt with the dietician of University Dining Services (160, Price
Commons, 715-232-3599) for nutritional assessment. This involves an assessment of
eating behaviors and food intake.
b. Attend regularly scheduled appointments with dietician to monitor progress
c. Follow specific recommendations for food intake and exercise
(3) Counseling Services
a. Schedule triage appt at the University Counseling Center (410 Bowman Hall, 715232-2468). This appointment will involve a brief assessment of your current eating
concerns and general psychological functioning. At the conclusion of your
appointment, you will be assigned a therapist who can best support you and meet
your treatment needs.
b. Attend regularly scheduled appointments with assigned therapist.
c. To the best you can, be open and honest with your therapist.
d. Follow treatment recommendations.
As a UW-Stout student wishing to address eating concerns on campus, I have been informed of and
understand this multidisciplinary treatment process:
Signed_____________________________
Date__________________
Witness______________________________
****As part of the multidisciplinary treatment process, the team recommends the student sign
release of information forms between treatment providers to coordinate services. The team may revise
the plan for care and the goals for treatment based on continued assessment of progress.