bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 on referrals for physical and mental health care
Authors: Lekkos Petros , Thorpe Joanna , Obeney-Williams Janet , Xing Fiona 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on referrals to mental health and physical health services.MethodWe analysed referral data from three psychiatric services in the boroughs of Camden and Islington across 2018-2020: Early Intervention Services (for patients with a 1st episode of psychosis), Crisis Resolution Teams and inpatient admissions. We also analysed GP referral data to Cancer Services (two-week wait referrals) to Whittington Hospital, Royal Free Hospital and University College Hospital (all of North Central London). We examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these referrals and compared the findings between physical and mental health. We chose to use EIS and Cancer services as comparable services since they both operate with the two-week target of achieving diagnosis of psychosis and cancer respectively.ResultThe number of referrals to EIS and CRT both decreased to 61% in April 2020 with respect to their baseline; EIS referrals continued to decrease to 48% in May before starting to recover. Inpatient admissions saw a smaller reduction to 87% in April 2020. The number of cancer two-week wait referrals similarly decreased and reached a trough of 37% in April 2020. The rate of recovery back to the baseline number of referrals and admissions relative to previous years differed between services, with acute care recovering faster. Referrals to CRT and inpatient admissions recovered by 98% and 115% respectively by June 2020; comparatively, referrals to EIS recovered to 102% by December 2020. In contrast, cancer two-week wait referrals returned to 106% by September 2020, a rate faster than EIS, but slower than CRT and inpatient admissions.ConclusionThe reduction in the number of referrals across all examined services correlated with the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate of decrease was similar across all services, coinciding with the peak of COVID-19 infections. However, the ultimate degree of decrease and following rate of recovery in numbers differed across both psychiatric and non-psychiatric services. These differences likely have multifactorial origins. The authors discuss contributing factors, such as changes in health seeking behaviours observed during the pandemic, potential impact of reduction in face to face consultations in primary care, as well as temporary changes in the population demographic of Camden and Islington resulting in absent target groups (i.e. students who make up a large proportion of referrals to EIS opting to return home). It remains important to not neglect mental health and face a hidden epidemic once COVID-19 pandemic settles.
You have to acknowledge the problem before you can address the problem: Audit looking at identification of co-existing substance misuse in a Liaison Psychiatry patient population
Authors: McLean Emma , Kadiwar Akash , Alexander Mariam 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo evaluate if patients referred to Ealing Liaison Psychiatry Service (ELPS) with co-existing substance use are being appropriately identified as per NICE guidelines.Patients with co-existing substance misuse have greater morbidity and mortality and it is therefore important to identify these patients to optimise their management. NICE recommends that all patients are asked about their substance use.Anecdotally, our team felt we were doing a good job of identifying and managing such patients but we had no objective evidence of this.MethodCompleted a retrospective audit looking at a sample of patients referred to ELPS over two weeks in December 2019.A training session for ELPS was then held to highlight the initial audit results and NICE guideline recommendations.We then repeated the audit over two weeks in March 2020.ResultInitial audit (100 patients):Only 69% of patients asked about substance use. From those asked, 50-65.2% were using a substance, most commonly alcohol.None of the patients over the age of 80 were asked about substance use vs 79.5% of patients aged 20–40 years.55% of females vs 81% of males were asked about illicit substances.33.3% of ward referrals vs 74.2% of Emergency Department referrals asked about substance useRe-audit (53 patients):Significant improvement across all areas93% now asked about substance use60% of over 80s, 96% of females and 85% of ward referrals were now being correctly asked about substance useConclusionWe were surprised to find that we were initially not meeting NICE standards regarding asking patients about their substance use.Acknowledging this problem during our training session proved to be effective.This knowledge will help us develop our care pathways with our Acute colleagues and the Drug and Alcohol Liaison Service.
The monitoring and use of Pro re nata (PRN) psychotropic medication for people with learning disabilities on an inpatient ward
Authors: Mistry Heena 
Published: June 2021

AimsThis project was designed to evaluate the use of PRN medication and PRN monitoring charts on an adult learning disability ward. These charts had been designed by the trust to provide us with a way of monitoring the use of psychotropic PRN medication to ensure monitoring of treatment response, physical health and side effects.MethodThe data were collected from PRN monitoring charts, electronic case notes and electronic prescribing chart records for all patients on an adult learning disability inpatient unit. The sample consisted of 7 patients who had been prescribed and/or received PRN psychotropic medication over a five week period. Quantitative data were derived by simple calculation for the total amount of PRN medication used and number of PRN monitoring charts completed. Qualitative data were collected of prescription charts and PRN protocols which is supposed to guide treatment.ResultOut of all the incidences where PRN medication was administered, only 64% of monitoring charts were completed. Out of the 7 patients on the ward, 6 had PRN protocol charts and for only 5 patients these were followed.ConclusionClinical practice must be improved. The results were presented to ward staff and doctors to discuss the implications for patient care and ways to improve clinical practice by ensuring full monitoring of the use of PRN medication to help reduce the overmedication of people with learning disability by improving the use of the PRN charts. NICE guidelines and The Royal College of Psychiatrists have published guidelines on the prescription of psychotropic drugs for people with learning disabilities. NHS England have also published an article to discourage over-medication of people with learning disabilities. There is a risk that doctors are prescribing medication to treat behaviour that is an expression of distress or a mode of communication rather than a mental disorder. Doctors have a responsibility to ensure they have fully assessed the person's potential to benefit from medication before they prescribe. The audit would serve to provide a baseline for this team prior to any audits in the future.
The effectiveness of community treatment orders (CTOS) across Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust (BSMHFT)
Authors: Navaratnarajah Sambavi , Basu Riya , Rashid Syed 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo ascertain if CTOs ensure that patients are effectively treated in the community and maintain stability in their mental health.If a patient requires recall(+/- revocation) that this is done in a timely fashion in according to the 1983 Mental Health Act.BackgroundA number of studies have been inconclusive in determining the benefits of CTOs in reducing the re-admissions of “revolving door” patients In Assertive Outreach (AO). It is felt that CTOs have reduced readmission of patients due to the intensive input from community teams, decreased recall and subsequent revocation. Those admitted are thought to require fewer inpatient days. It is clear that many patients who require recall following non-engagement, non-compliance, will accept medication following RC review. However at present in BSMHFT patients can only be recalled if they are allocated a bed. Due to the national bed shortage, this has resulted in delays following decision to recall and thus early and effective treatment for patients. In this aspect it defeats the role of the CTO as per the 2007 MHA.MethodCTO data from 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019 was obtained from all 6 AOT's in BSMHFT. The following factors were considered;
1.Time between decision to recall by RC and recall to inpatient facility2.Number of recalls converted to revocations3.Number of inpatient bed days if revoked4.Number of admissions on CTO5.Patient/family agreement of CTOResult98 CTO patients were recorded over this period. 19 out of 26 recalls had recall dates documented. 10 recalls were revoked due to relapse of mental illness. Average days from RC recall decision to actual recall or cancellation was 63.89 days. Main reasons for delay were bed unavailability and execution of warrant.Following revocation, average inpatient bed days was 103.71. 41% of families agreed with CTOs, 36% of patients contested their CTO.ConclusionOver a quarter of patients on CTO were recalled to hospital however, less than half of these had their CTO revoked. The remainder accepted treatment following urgent community review whilst on the bed list. Evidently the majority of patients didn't need admission. With the ongoing bed crisis, alternative avenues need to be sought to ensure prompt treatment and prevent relapse.A CTO suite designed for recall could be the solution for the future.
Neuroimaging in an older adult inpatient psychiatric unit
Authors: Nechowska Aoife 
Published: June 2021

AimsThis audit aimed to analyse the use of neuroimaging and its effect on treatment in an older adult inpatient psychiatry unit over the period of one year.BackgroundBrain imaging can be used as a diagnostic tool in psychiatry. According to NICE guidelines, structural imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed topography (CT), can be used in the workup for dementia diagnosis in order to exclude non-dementia pathology and identify dementia subtype. This is important in the geriatric population where evidence of small vessel disease has an impact on treatment options and management of polypharmacy.MethodA list of patients from the past year (January to December 2019) was accessed. Patient records were then analysed to see if neuroimaging had been accessed during their admission at The Meadows Hospital, Surrey and Borders Partnership. This included imaging from prior to admission. Analysis was divided into type of imaging, comments and impact on diagnosis.ResultOverall numbers for the audit were small. A total of 74 patients were admitted onto the unit, of which 3 were readmissions. There was missing information for 8 patients, giving a total of 63 patients. CT scans were accessed for 35 patients (56% of total); 3 of these were done during the admission. MRI scans were completed for 21 patients (33%), with one requested during admission. A total of 9 patients (14%) had both CT and MRI scans. Neuroimaging results led to a change in diagnosis for 6 patients (10%). In all cases this reflected the finding of small vessel disease and a change of diagnosis to either vascular dementia or mixed dementia.Diagnoses were also analysed. The Meadows Hospital has 2 dementia wards (male and female) and 1 functional ward (for females). A total of 36 patients (57%) were diagnosed with dementia, of which the biggest groups were: Alzheimer's dementia (13 patients, 36%) and Vascular dementia (11 patients, 31%).ConclusionThe majority of the patients were admitted with established diagnoses and so only a small number had changes made following review of imaging. Good imaging results and reports help to differentiate types of dementia. Although neuroimaging is not gold standard in diagnosing dementia syndromes, it is now an important aspect in the diagnostic pathway. Getting the diagnosis correct will help with treating individuals appropriately and avoid unnecessary prescribing.
Compliance to completion of sodium valproate annual risk acknowledgement form among women of child-bearing age prescribed sodium valproate in the intellectual disability (ID) services of an NHS trust
Authors: Ohize Victor , Bagalkote Deval 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo determine the proportion of women of child-bearing age prescribed SV who have the SV ARF filled.BackgroundIn 2018, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave guidance regarding Sodium Valproate (SV) prescription. It acknowledged the significant risk of birth defects and developmental disorders in women of child-bearing age prescribed SV.Consequently, the MHRA recommendation is that SV must not be used in females of child-bearing age unless: conditions of pregnancy prevention programme are met; other treatments are ineffective or not tolerated; and evidence of discussion of risks with patient or carer and annual review of the risks are documented. The evidences of the above criteria are expected to be documented in an Annual Risk Acknowledgement Form (ARF).MethodRetrospective study involving systematic search of Trust database to identify women with ID, aged 16–50 years prescribed SV from 2018 to 2019.Result18 of 28 patients had ARF filled, a 64% compliance.The main indications for SV prescription were epilepsy; challenging behaviour; and mood stabilization.The distribution showed neurology and psychiatrist led prescription initiation equally distributed at 50%.The ARF compliance was higher in the neurology group (93%) compared to 36% in psychiatrist group.A review across the 5 ID teams (A,B,C,D and E) of the trust shows variable compliance to ARF compliance (17%,81%,100%,60%,0% respectively) with teams having higher proportion of neurology led SV prescription initiation also having higher proportion of ARF completion compliance (0%,55%,80%,80%,0% respectively).ConclusionConclusion / RecommendationARF compliance is below standard at 64%.Despite the SV prescription being equally distributed between neurology led and psychiatry led, patients whose prescription of SV is neurology led (prescription indication as epilepsy) had better ARF compliance outcome (93%) compared with patients whose prescription is psychiatry led (prescription indication as challenging behaviour or mood stabilization) with 36% ARF compliance.Organizational difference with dedicated epilepsy nurse in the ID service means patients with epilepsy had reviews of medication and compliance to MHRA guidance in completing the ARF.There is need to increase doctors’ awareness to review ARF status during patients’ appointment. Information Technology design to flag up out of date ARF may be helpful.The review of ARF may also flag up consideration of other alternatives: behavioural, psychological, functional and environmental interventions as well as alternative medications like Risperidone for challenging behaviours and other mood stabilizing options. This will minimize SV prescription, which is the original goal of the MHRA guidance.
A clinical audit to investigate polypharmacy and interactions in inpatients in an old age psychiatric ward
Authors: Rathnaiah Mohan , Brailsford Beth , Mokashi Nisha 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo identify any problematic polypharmacy in the patient records of those staying in Cherry Ward, an old age psychiatric unit at Highbury Hospital, Nottingham in the calendar year 2018.BackgroundMulti-morbidity is defined as more than one long-term medical condition in a single individual and is a factor that is closely associated with polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications concurrently. Appropriate and Problematic are the two classifications of polypharmacy outlined by the King's Fund report, the first describing optimised evidenced-based pharmacological management of comorbidities and the latter to label prescribed medications whose use is not in the best interests of the patient. The risk of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions is increased with polypharmacy, and frail elderly patients are particularly at risk of the side-effects of psychotropic medications used in the management of mental health disorders. Guidelines highlight this group as a key party to be identified when searching for at-risk people.MethodThe electronic records of those admitted and discharged from Cherry Ward in 2018 were reviewed in the period spanning January to May 2019, and the first forty-three patients were analysed in Microsoft Excel using criteria based on the King's fund report and the Medscape and BNF (British National Formulary) drug interaction tools. The Medscape drug interaction checker was used for initial screening; the complete medication list for each patient was entered into it and the number of interactions was displayed with advice on severity. If necessary, the individual interactions for each specific medication could also be cross-referenced in the BNF using the extensive lists provided for each drug. These are also graded from mild to severe.ResultOn discharge, 69.7% (thirty patients) met the criteria for being at higher risk of polypharmacy. One patient became at higher risk of polypharmacy during admission, and another two stepped down from meeting the criteria on admission but not on discharge. Thirty-one of the forty-three patients had at least one interaction recorded; 18.6% (eight patients) had at least one potentially severe interaction.ConclusionA substantial proportion of patients in Cherry ward in 2018 were at a higher risk of polypharmacy, reflecting current practice as outlined in the King's Fund report. Problematic polypharmacy is common among older patients hospitalised with psychiatric illness. Recommendations include use of an automated electronic system to investigate and flag up problematic polypharmacy and severe medication interactions.
Cervical screening in assertive outreach team patients
Authors: Reynolds Hannah , Bello Samaila , Leech Hanna 
Published: June 2021

AimsTo assess the uptake of cervical screening in patients under Birmingham and Solihull Assertive Outreach Teams; this included a re-audit of patients under the Central Birmingham Assertive Outreach Team.BackgroundPatients with severe and enduring mental illness are known to have poorer physical health outcomes. In Birmingham and Solihull there are 6 Assertive Outreach Teams. These teams manage patients with a diagnosis of psychosis who have complex needs requiring intensive multidisciplinary input and often struggle to engage with health services. The national cervical screening programme aims to prevent cervical cancer by detecting and treating cervical abnormalities. Acceptable coverage is defined as screening at least 80% of people aged 25–49 years within the last 3.5 years and 80% of people aged 50–64 years within the last 5.5 years. In 2018 71.4% of women in England and 70.9% in the West Midlands were screened adequately. An audit of 15 patients under the Central Birmingham Assertive Outreach Team in 2014 showed 46.2% had taken up screening, measured in the last 5 years for those aged 50–64 years and the last 3 years for those aged 25–49 years.MethodA list was obtained of all female patients under the Assertive Outreach Teams with patients excluded if they were under 25 years or over 64 years or if they were known to have undergone a total hysterectomy. All GP practices with eligible patients registered to them were written to requesting the date of the patient's most recent smear test. Cervical screening was classed as in date if carried out in the last 3.5 years for patients aged 25–49 years or 5.5 years for patients aged 50–64 years.ResultOut of 127 eligible patients, 110 had correct GP details on their record. Responses were received regarding 101 patients, 48 of whom had in date cervical screening (47.5%). Of 58 patients aged 25–49 years, 26 had in date cervical screening (44.8%). Of 43 patients aged 50–64 years, 22 had in date cervical screening (51.2%).Conclusion13.4% patients did not have a known GP practice, increasing the risk of multiple poor physical health outcomes. The rates of cervical screening among Assertive Outreach Team patients are similar to the original audit in 2014 and fall significantly below the national standards and averages. These findings, along with the importance of working together to address the need for physical health monitoring in this population, will be communicated with the local Assertive Outreach Teams and GP practices.
Implementation of physical examination pro forma – a complete audit cycle
Authors: Singh Sidhu Deshwinder , Molyneux Guy 
Published: June 2021

AimsAim of this audit is to achieve and maintain 100% compliance in physical examination on admission.BackgroundConducting physical examination on admission is a mandatory requirement and is monitored by the Mental Health Commission during yearly inspections. A report published by Inspectorate of the Mental Health Commission recently in 2019 identifies a gap in physical health monitoring. We conducted a complete audit cycle in an inner city hospital psychiatric ward to monitor compliance with physical examination on admission.MethodWe based the audit on Judgment Support Framework (JSF) version 5 standards. A retrospective review of all of the patient's medical records was carried out. 13 medical records were reviewed in the first cycle. The results of the first cycle were presented to the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) members, including the Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHD). Physical health policy was reviewed, in consultation with the committee and Clinical Director, a Physical Examination pro-forma (colour coded) was developed and implemented. It was based on the National Guidelines and the JSF ver.5. All members of the MDT and NCHDs were briefed on the pro forma introduced. A repeat audit cycle was conducted of all patients admitted after first audit cycle. Data were collected using a simple audit tool indicating if physical examination was conducted or refused.ResultA total of 22 medical records were audited. 13 medical records in the first cycle indicted only 3 patients had physical examination on admission. However, prior to admission a total of six patients had physical exam in the Emergency Department (ED). Upon implementation of the pro forma, 9 medical records of all patients admitted post-first cycle were audited. A total of 7 patients had physical examination on admission to the ward. Two patients refused physical examination and this was clearly documented. One patient had physical examination completed in ED. All newly admitted patients had physical examination completed or the reason why it wasn't completed documented clearly.ConclusionPhysical examination pro forma was successfully implemented, raising current compliance to a 100%, with a significant improvement from 23% compliance in the first cycle. Existing pro forma is helpful as a reminder to NCHDs. Colour coding of pro forma improves accessibility and distinguishability during the process of admission and auditing. Physical examination pro forma will be audited every 6 monthly.