bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overdose admissions to a district general hospital intensive care unit
Authors: Nechowska Aoife , Samuels Theophilus , Ranjan Sameer 
Published: June 2021

AimsThis audit aimed to analyse the patient population coming into East Surrey Hospital's Intensive Care Unit from 1993 to 2019.BackgroundThe Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a report in August 2019 on ages most likely to die by suicide and drug poisoning. Their data showed that Generation X were dying by this method in greater numbers than other age groups. This is in contrast with data from 1990s for England and Wales which showed people in their 20s were most likely to die by suicide or poisoning. This audit set out to look at admission data from an intensive care unit (ICU) in a district general hospital in Surrey over a similar period of time.MethodPatient records from 1993 to September 2019 were accessed using the WardWatcher database. To access the maxim number of admissions qualifying under the aims, the database was accessed by searching under “admission comments” for: overdose, self-harm, poison, suicide. These reports were downloaded and the lists were checked against each other to delete duplicates. This gave a total of 331 patients. The data were analysed by year, according to age, gender, season, psychiatric diagnoses and previous overdose attempts. Their outcomes were checked against recorded deaths. There was not enough information to investigate method of overdose.ResultA total of 331 patient records were accessed. The youngest patient was 15 years old, the oldest was 84 years old. The age dataset was non-parametrically distributed with the median age of 43 years (IQR 33-51 years). The age distributions for each year appeared symmetrical but total numbers for each year were small. The population was split as 191 female (58%) and 141 male (42%). 16 patients died on the ICU on admission with an overdose, 5% of total numbers, of which 19% had a previous overdose attempts and 44% had a psychiatric diagnosis. The youngest death was 22 and the oldest was 81 years old. The average age was 47 years, with the spread consistent in the 2000s and 2010s.ConclusionThe results from East Surrey Hospital's ICU do not reflect the analysis from the ONS. The mean age for each year has remained similar. Numbers for the audit were small and admission criteria to the ICU prescribe that the patient be critically unwell and may not be indicative of the total admissions to a district general hospital.
Implementation of smoking cessation policy at the antelope house in Southern Health NHS Foudation Trust in Southampton
Authors: Neru Sunday , Ededet Edet 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo ensure that health care practitioners at Antelope house, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton are providing service users information, advice and stop smoking support in line with smoke free policies in the trust.BackgroundSmoking is the single largest preventable cause of ill health and premature death in England. Cigarette smoking causes a wide range of diseases and medical conditions like cancers, heart diseases and stroke.The prevalence of stroke is extremely high among people with mental health problems especially those admitted to hospital.Stopping smoking reduces the risk of developing preventable diseases and premture death.These are the background behind this audit.MethodData were collected using the following ways:Use of desinged questionaire.Looking into Rio elecronic recordsStandard used and compared against was Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust '' smoke free trust policies'20 cases were looked into and examined.ResultMost staff are not implementing the Trust no smoking policies well and documentation of the informtion given are not complete.Most service users prefer to use e-cigarettes.Most people between 30 and 50 years old range do not smoke.For those of clozapine, the impact of cigarettes smoking not explained.ConclusionThe trust smoke free policies are not well implemented by health care practitioners at Antelope house mental health unit, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust in Southampton.
End of life care in a secure hospital setting
Authors: Obasohan Owen , Tokas Deepak , Kumari Mamta 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo measure the standard of care provided to patients who had a natural and expected death whilst in secure care at Roseberry Park Hospital, Middlesbrough.Mallard ward is a low secure psychiatric ward for older aged men suffering from cognitive difficulties and significant physical comorbidity in addition to a severe and enduring mental illness. The patient population is such that it will remain the most appropriate placement for some patients until their death. It is vital that staff members on Mallard ward and indeed all parts of the Trust are aware of the priorities for care of the dying person and ensure that care is provided in accordance with these priorities.The Leadership Alliance for the Care of Dying People (LACDP), a coalition of 21 national organisations, published One Chance to get it Right – Improving people's experience of care in the last few days and hours of life in June 2014. This document laid out five priorities for care of the dying person focussing on sensitive communication, involvement of the person and relevant others in decisions and compassionately delivering an individualised care plan.MethodThe data collection tool was adapted from End of Life Care Audit: Dying in Hospital, a national clinical audit commissioned by Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) and run by the Royal College of Physicians. Data were collected from both electronic and paper records. There were three natural and expected deaths in the last two years.ResultFor all three patients, there was documented evidence that they were likely to die in the coming hours or days.End of life care discussion was held with the nominated persons and not with the patients due to their lack of mental capacity.The needs of the patients and their nominated persons were explored in all three cases.All patients had an individualised care plan which was followed.The palliative care team supported the staff with the care of these patients.The care provided was largely consistent with the priorities listed.ConclusionThe national audit compares performance of only acute NHS Trusts with no data to reflect the performance of mental health hospitals. It is imperative that mental health services work in collaboration with physical health and palliative care services so they are able to continue providing a high level of care to this patient group. Clinicians and staff involved in the care of dying patients also need to be adequately trained.
Before writing that script: use of antipsychotic medication in patients with dementia in a CMHTOA
Authors: Obiekezie Adaora , Afshan Roohi , Healy Jack 
Published: June 2021

AimsA 2009 independent review commissioned by the UK government to review the use of antipsychotic medication in patients diagnosed with dementia produced the Time for Action report, often referred to as the Banerjee Report. It highlighted the common practise of using antipsychotics in the treatment of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) and the clinical issues this could raise especially when these medications were not being regularly reviewed. The audti was therefore carried out to determine whether patinets with BPSD in a Community Mental Health Team for Older adults (CMHTOA) in Mid Surrey, who had been diagnosed with BPSD, were being adequately assessed and managed in line with the current guidelines.MethodPatients with a diagnosis of dementia open to one of three teams in the CMHTOA during the months of October and November 2019 were identified, those being prescribed antipsychotic medication were selected and data from their electronic records collected and analysed to determine if clinicians: a) identified and documented the target behaviours, b) carried out a structured assessment using an ABC chart before commencing medication, c) reviewed the antipsychotic medication 6 weeks after it was commenced.ResultOf the 87 patients with a diagnosis of Dementia from October to November 2019, 18 were on antipsychotic medication. 100% of these had target behaviours identified and clearly documented, a sixth had a structured assessment prior to starting medication and 61% had been reviewed after the first 6 weeks of starting antipsychotics.ConclusionThe findings showed that a good proprotion of patients did not have the required structured assessment before commencement of treatment and that more needed to be done by way of improving regular reviews after antipsychotic treatment is commenced.
Are blood tests being performed for new inpatient admissions to a psychiatric hospital as recommended by RCPsych guidelines?
Authors: Piper Isabella 
Published: June 2021

AimsSevere mental illness (SMI) has a significant impact on a person's physical health and mortality. There is a 10–25-year life expectancy reduction in patients with SMI. The majority of deaths are due to physical health conditions. The Royal College of Psychiatry (RCPsych) sets out a standard that new inpatient admissions to Mental Health Services should have routine blood tests performed within 24 hours of admission, unless they have had a recent blood test. The aim of this audit was to review whether blood tests were performed either in the 48 hours preceding admission or the 48 hours after admission to Leverndale Hospital.MethodClinical records were reviewed for new inpatient admissions to two general adult wards over a four-month period.Result79 patients were admitted (M = 39, F = 40, Age: 18–62 years old). 70/79 (89%) had blood tests performed within the 48-hour timeframe. 5/79 (6%) had a blood test performed after 48 hours of their admission. 4/79 (5%) did not have a blood test. The blood tests performed varied. 51/75 (68%) patients had at least one abnormal blood test. The yield of abnormal blood results ranged from 2% for thyroid function tests to 35% for a full blood count.ConclusionThis audit has established that the majority of patients had blood tests performed within the 48-hour timeframe. This could be improved by setting up an electronic reminder to prompt the clinician to perform a blood test at 24 hours as per RCPsych guidance if one had not yet been done. The blood tests performed varied. RCPsych guidance does not specify which blood tests should be done. A further scope for this audit could be to review the clinical significance of abnormal blood results to develop a standard set of blood tests for admission.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment completion in psychiatric inpatients
Authors: Powell Harriet , Jenkinson Josie 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo audit VTE risk assessment compliance across psychiatric inpatient wards at three different sites within Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP), and to highlight the importance of completing VTE risk assessments for psychiatric inpatient safety and care as set out by NICE guidelines (2019).MethodNumbers of VTE risk assessments completed (within 24 hours, and those completed any time during inpatient stay) and VTE risk assessments not completed were collected via SABP electronic mental health records. Percentage compliance for each ward and hospital involved in the study were calculated. Chi square statistical t tests were conducted using Excel to check for associations between type of ward (older adult and working age) and VTE risk assessment completion.A total of 3004 patients were included in the study. Ages ranged from 18–82 years of age, and both males and females included in the study. A total of 2060 were working age (WA) patients (aged 18–64 years) and 944 were older adults (OA) (aged > 65 years).ResultAcross all three sites, more than 90% of all inpatients admitted between May 2018 and October 2020 did not have a formal VTE risk assessment completed. Across all sites, less than 1% of all inpatients had a completed VTE risk assessment done within 24 hours, as recommended by the NICE guidelines. Older Adult wards showed better compliance with VTE risk assessment completion with 38% of patients on one OA ward having had a completed VTE risk assessment, and 28% on another completed OA ward. Being admitted to an OA ward was strongly associated with VTE risk assessment completion (p < 0.05).ConclusionOA wards have hosted QI programmes with regards to VTE risk assessment which may be why VTE risk assessment was more likely to have been completed on OA wards. VTE risk assessment compliance overall is inadequate across all sites included in the study. Recommendations include further education for all ward staff on how, why and when VTE risk assessment should be completed, greater accessibility of an improved VTE risk assessment form and for QI initiatives on OA wards to be rolled out on WA wards. These findings have been presented and discussed at regional Trust teaching days, and this audit will be repeated in one year.
An assessment of referrals to a liaison psychiatry team within a large district general hospital – Completing the Cycle
Authors: Shanley Ivan , Tillman Sophie , Lodhi Shruti , Shabbir Shazia 
Published: June 2021

AimsIn 2019 members of the Liaison Psychiatry Department at Frimley Park Hospital completed an audit of the referrals to the service1. The quality of referrals was found to be highly variable, for example only 28% included a risk assessment and frequently omitted both past psychiatric and past medical histories. As such an intervention was designed involving three parts;Multidisciplinary education of staffNew and more readily available referral guidelinesNew referral formThis re-audit seeks to complete the audit cycle and assess the impact of the intervention.MethodThe first 50 referrals to the Liaison Psychiatry Department of Frimley Park Hospital during February 2021 were assessed using the following criteria:Staff type, referral source, physically fit for assessment, physical cause ruled out, drugs / alcohol involved, appropriate reason for referral, clinical question asked, did final diagnosis match referral diagnosis, risk assessment included, information about admission included, past psychiatric history included and past medical history included.The percentage of referrals received for each criterion (e.g. the percentage with a risk assessment completed) was then derived from the data.ResultThere has been a marked improvement in a variety of areas. The percentage of referrals containing a risk assessment increased from 28% to 96%. This is likely due to the risk box now requiring an entry prior to being able to submit the referral form. Similarly the percentage containing past psychiatric history has risen from 38.8% to 90%. Previously 46.2% of referrals contained a working diagnosis which was not consistent with the clinical picture, but again this has improved, with 60% of initial diagnoses now matching the final outcome. There are however areas for improvement. Only 14% of referrals contained a specific clinical question, which is lower than the 20% achieved previously. This may be because the new referral form does not provide a specific free text box for this.ConclusionThe intervention yielded a marked improvement in the quality of referrals received by the Liaison Psychiatry Department at Frimley Park Hospital, and it is the intention to continue to use the current process. Based on the new results we will look to make small adjustments, for example adding a free text box for a specific clinical question and emphasising the importance of this information.
Transfer and transition referrals of patients with intellectual disability from children's services to adult community learning disability teams
Authors: Sharif Jalil-Ahmad 
Published: June 2021

AimsThe audit aimed to assess if patients under the care of children's services in Wessex were transferred at the appropriate age and whether transition referrals to Community Learning Disability teams (CTLD) occurred timely. It also aimed to look at how many patients underwent transitions in a three month period, and if their transition support plan (TSP) was completed. A transition support plan should include chronological information on psychopharmacology, psychotherapy, and social support measures. Patients should be referred between the ages of 17–19 but require a justification after 18 years of age.MethodThe BI team was contacted to provide all IDs for patients referred within a three month period between the ages of 17–19. The BI team provided 42 patients with their ID. Patients discharged from services within a short time span were excluded for the following reason: inappropriate referral (9pts), discharged after 1st assessment (6pts), internal discussion (6pts), only referred to Autism team (4pts), moved out of area (1pts). From the initial 42 patients, 16 patients were analysed using the collection tool.Result4/16 had a TSP, and only two had a complete TSP and transitioned in another trust and were inter-team referrals.CAMHS services referred 1/16 patients.Psychotropic medication was prescribed to 12/16 prior to or on time of referral, but only two patients had a complete psychotropic medication history.8/16 patients' referral was commenced prior to their 18th birthday, and no information was provided for delay in transfer.Health records did mention psychotherapy, but apart from 2/16 TSP records, no additional information was available on the modality.ConclusionPatients with Intellectual Disability face challenges when transferring from children to adult services. Insufficient referral information may have a detrimental impact on patients wellbeing and long-term care.Access to a patient's chronological journey through the different children's services allows Adult CTLD health professionals to provide effective care. Historical psycho-social and pharmacological interventions provide a reference point for future interventions.Concerns included: limited information on most TSP regarding psycho-social and psychotropic treatments, lack of access to CAMHS/CHYPS paperwork and ineffective inter-trust communication for transition patients.This project highlighted the average number of transition cases in 3 months. It led to changes to the transition pathway, as awareness was raised in trust and CCG meetings to improve patient outcome. CTLD created the new role of transition facilitators to support children's services. They sit in meetings before patients transition referrals.
Old age liaison psychiatry: audit assessing adherence to referral pathway and referral characteristics including indications, interventions and outcomes
Authors: Wong Alfred , Boyle Kimberley 
Published: June 2021

AimsThis audit covered 3 hospitals in Glasgow City which has 1221 beds providing inpatient healthcare for the north east region of the city. To improve the referral process,we aimed to verify adherence to existing referral pathway and adequacy of information provided by referrals. Referral characteristics including referral indication, intervention and outcomes were accounted for to identify area interest that may help improve the referral process.MethodOur referral pathway involves completion of a Microsoft Word referral template subsequently sent electronically to an internal electronic mail.Referrals in a 2 month period were included in the audit. Each referral was reviewed for adherence to the referral template, adequacy of provided information and referral indications. Intervention in the form of staff input, Mental Health Act status, psychotropic medication prescribed and given diagnosis was ascertained via staff electronic entry records.Result139 referrals were included. 114 referrals (82%) adhered to the referral template. 72 referrals (52%) contained adequate information. Common referral indications were delirium (23%), agitation (20%), low mood (18%) and cognitive decline queries (18%). Staff input ranged from psychiatrist input (46%), liaison nurses (40%), clinical psychology (1%) and shared input (13%). 16 referrals (12%) resulted in subsequent detention under the Mental Health Act. Psychotropic medications prior to liaison assessment included antidepressants (49%), antipsychotics (29%) and benzodiazepines (16%). Liaison assessment resulted in increase use of antipsychotic (55%) and reduction of antidepressants (29%) and benzodiazepines (10%), Delirium (34%), dementia (21%), Mood & Anxiety related disorders (18%) and Query of Cognitive Impairment (14%) were recorded as the most discussed diagnosis.ConclusionReferrals with inadequate details affect the service's ability to efficiently assess for clinical urgency and matching of appropriate interventions to suit clinical needs. The percentage difference in delirium between referral indication and diagnosis highlights that delirium can be under-recognised, resulting in potentially delayed treatment. Identifying common given diagnosis and differences in psychotropic medication prescribing pattern points to the need for training and support of acute medical ward staff in utilising therapeutics for management of acute mental health disorder.A pending electronic referral pathway with mandatory entries and linked relevant online resources can encourage early recognition of acute mental health disorder and prompt early management including the use of appropriate therapeutics. An additional feature allowing direct referrals by acute ward staff to community mental health team would support continuity of care for discharged patients needing ongoing mental health assessment.
A case of pervasive refusal syndrome related to COVID19
Authors: Kamil Nurul Aqma Mohd , Ryan Sharon 
Published: June 2021

ObjectiveTo highlight the importance of appropriate diagnosis and management of severe mental illness in children. Awareness of rare diagnoses such as this will reduce the delay to treatment. A challenge in Ireland is accessing psychiatric inpatient treatment for very young children, with specialist units in Ireland designed to better cater for young people aged 12+.Case reportMichael (not his real name), age 10, was always described as a happy, calm child. He enjoyed school and loved playing outdoors. He had been progressing well with his life and neither his parents nor school had any concerns for him. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and school closures, Michael began to became more conscious of daily hygiene safety advice. However, things escalated to a very difficult level. Initially, he manifested extreme levels of anxiety with heightened levels of distress. He ran away from open doors or windows for fear he would catch the virus, insisted on changing his clothes several times per day, would become distressed if anyone touched him accidentally while he was outside and could spend hours afterwards crying and screaming.In June 2020 he showed profound refusal to engage in basic care tasks and a dramatic social withdrawal, and ultimately required admission to hospital. He refused to eat and drink, stopped washing and toileting himself, lay in bed with the covers over this head, became non-verbal and refused to engage with any conversation or games. He showed prolonged periods of screaming. Ultimately this reached a level requiring TPN and PEG feeding and a low stimulation environment. Diagnosis of pervasive refusal disorder, secondary to severe COVID-19 related anxiety was made.DiscussionPervasive refusal disorder is a rare and potentially life threatening condition in children. It is described as a profound psychological response to uncontrollable events such as grief, abuse, parental conflict and migration. In this case, it was the threat of the global pandemic. Through treatment in low stimulation environments, with consistent communication and rehabilitation and medication, followed by individual and family therapies when patients are more able, patients show a slow, but generally complete recovery. Happily for Michael, he has now recovered and returned home to his family, where he has returned to all his previous activities.ConclusionMichael and his parents have kindly agreed to allow us to tell his story, in the hope of teaching current and future psychiatrists about this rare condition. We send them our thanks and appreciation.