scholarly journals Improving safety-planning in patients admitted with self-harm

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S208-S209
Author(s):  
Vatsala Mishra ◽  
Kathryn Hughes ◽  
Alexander Sunderland ◽  
Marilia Calcia ◽  
Martin Parsons

AimsSelf-harm is a common presentation to acute hospitals, associated with increased risk of completed suicide. Safety plans are increasingly recommended to help patients recognise and prevent escalation of self-harm behaviours.This project aimed to improve quality and documentation of safety planning for patients admitted at an acute general hospital due to self-harm, who were assessed by Liaison Psychiatry. We aimed to increase the number of patients given written safety plans on discharge by 50%.MethodThe PDSA cycle model of quality improvement was used. A retrospective audit of clinical records was conducted over 3 months to establish baseline documentation of safety planning (n = 51). A template for a self-harm crisis plan, used in other areas of the Trust, was adopted, to be adapted to each patient. A leaflet for sources of crisis support and patient feedback form were developed and distributed to clinicians in the team. Data collection was repeated one month later (n = 48). The second set of interventions involved a training session for clinicians on developing safety plans in collaboration with patients, and a poster highlighting the process to be undertaken when discharging a patient admitted with self-harm.ResultFollowing initial interventions, 20% of patients had completed safety plans and 50% received advice, an increase of 20% and 40% respectively. The second PDSA cycle showed increase in numbers to 38% and 67% respectively.ConclusionCreating a crisis plan with a hospital-specific leaflet for the Liaison Psychiatry team increased the number of patients discharged with safety plans in place. 86% of patients who participated in safety-planning found the process helpful and felt likely to use the plan in future crises. This is an area of ongoing quality improvement which can be implemented in other hospitals to better equip patients with skills and support to reduce self-harm/suicide attempts.

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S52-S53
Author(s):  
David Drevno ◽  
Sherry Hickok ◽  
Sabina Ali

Abstract Background Biological agents have revolutionized the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is a known increased risk of tuberculosis (TB) reactivation with biologic therapy (1). ACG guidelines recommend screening for active and latent TB infection (LTBI) prior to starting certain biologic agents (2). However, there are no consensus guideline on the utility of yearly screening testing in IBD patients without TB risk factors. With a number of patients now receiving the biologic therapy outside their primary care centers it has become increasingly difficult to effectively provide ongoing TB screening. With this quality improvement exercise, we aim to improve TB re-screening in patients receiving biologics by completing a yearly phone screening for exposure history. Method An interdisciplinary team from GI and ID developed a TB risk factor screening questionairre, adapting the California Department of Public Health’s Pediatric TB Risk Assessment tool (3). A list of patients receiving biologics was sorted by month of birth in the EMR. When the current calendar month aligned with the patient’s birth month, a GI RN reviewed the TB questionnaire with the patient (≥18 yo) and/or legal guardian by phone. If one or more TB risk factors were identified, the GI RN would notify the provider and a QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT) was ordered to be completed. Results 60 patients were found on biologic therapy (median age 17 yo) (38 males, 22 females) (68% CD, 28% UC, 3.3% IBD-U)(75% IFX, 12% ADA, and 3% other) to be to eligible TB screening between January - July 2019, 48 patients completed the phone screening. All 61 patients had completed TB screening prior to starting biologic therapy, which was reported to be negative. 13 patients were unable to be reached. 6/48 were identified as having at least 1 risk factor for TB. 5/6 patients with a positive screen had a negative QFT. 1 patient was away at college and a request to his adult GI managing his biologic was sent. Conclusion Screening for LTBI is required prior to starting a biologic therapy, though there are no guidelines for routine TB screening following initiation of the biologic. We propose performing an annual phone screening for TB exposure history for IBD patients on biologic therapy. QTF testing remains appropriate in patients with potential risk factors, such as being a health care worker or travel to/living in high endemic TB regions. References


2021 ◽  
pp. 103985622110299
Author(s):  
Andreas S Lappas ◽  
Lori Edwards Suarez ◽  
Vassiliki Tzanetakou ◽  
Sally Morton ◽  
Chris Schofield ◽  
...  

Objective: To establish whether there is a significant change in suicidality risk following psychiatric assessment for commencement of isotretinoin and identify factors that underpin any potential risk change. Method: Retrospective cohort study. Suicidality risk was defined as a combination of the following: (i) actual/intended self-harm and/or attempted/completed suicide, and (ii) increased service utilisation associated with suicidal ideation/behaviour. All patients referred to Psychiatry for assessment prior to commencement of isotretinoin between 2014 and 2019 were examined. Inclusion criteria: >16 years of age, assessed for commencement of isotretinoin, complete clinical records. Data were collected by reviewing the Electronic Patient Records. Fifty-seven patients were eligible. We employed descriptive statistics, parametric/non-parametric/normality tests and logistic regression analysis, using socio-demographic and clinical characteristics as independent parameters, and suicidality risk as the dependent parameter. Results: Actual/intended self-harm/attempted suicide decreased significantly following assessment without significant change in service utilisation. Female gender, absence of protective factors and assessment by Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry were linked to increased suicidality risk, after controlling for age, ethnicity, recommendation for isotretinoin, and substance misuse. Conclusions: Psychiatric assessment is helpful before commencing isotretinoin. Female gender, and absence of ongoing psychopharmacological and/or psychological intervention and/or regular psychiatric follow-up predict increased suicidality risk among patients assessed for prescription of isotretinoin.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 503-512
Author(s):  
Devakshi Dua ◽  
Sandeep Grover

Objectives: This review aimed to evaluate all the published studies from India conducted in the consultation-liaison (CL) psychiatry setting to identify the diagnostic patterns and referral rates in this setting. Understanding the same can help in organizing the services and knowing the training needs. Materials and Methods: A thorough literature search was done in August 2020 using different search engines (PubMed, Medknow, and Google Scholar). This was followed by an individual search of various Indian Psychiatry journals and a hand search of references in the available articles. Only those studies that described patients referred to psychiatry services from various specialties were included. Results: A total of 33 studies were selected for the review. More than half of them were published in the last 5 years. Studies have primarily reported psychiatric profile medically ill inpatients referred to CL psychiatry services, with the majority of the studies reporting the number of patients seen for the duration of at least 1 year. The referral rates for inpatients across different institutes have varied from 0.01% to 3.6%. The referral rates from emergency set-ups have varied from 1.42% to 5.4%, and in outpatients, from 0.06% to 7.17%. The most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders across different studies include depression; organic disorders, including delirium; substance use; intentional self-harm; and anxiety disorders. Conclusions: A limited number of studies have reported the profile of patients seen in CL psychiatry setups. Available data from these studies suggest that referral rates to psychiatry services from other specialists are dismal. There is an urgent need to change the focus of psychiatry training at both undergraduate and the postgraduate levels to enhance the psychiatric knowledge of physicians to improve psychiatry referrals.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 5014-5014
Author(s):  
Karin F. Giordano ◽  
Ding Wei ◽  
Slager L. Susan ◽  
Schwager M. Susan ◽  
Call Timothy ◽  
...  

Abstract CLL/SLL and other CLPD are associated with an increased risk of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), pure red blood cell aplasia (PRBCA), and autoimmune agranulocytosis (AIAG). CLL patients with AIHA and ITP have advanced stage disease according to the Rai and Binet clinical classifications, implying a poor prognosis. However, previous community based studies suggest that patients with CLL and immune cytopenias could have a similar prognosis to other patients with CLL. To further define the prognostic significance of autoimmune cytopenia, we studied a cohort of patients seen at the Mayo Clinic Rochester (MCR). Methods The MCR Division of Hematology Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disease Database was used to identify patients with CLPD and autoimmune complications (AID) over a 10 year period (1 January 1995 to 30 December 2004). The clinical records of all patients with AID were thoroughly reviewed and collated with additional biological data. Results Forty-one (6%) of 665 patients with CLPD had AID. Of the patients with CLPD and AID, 21 (51%) had AIHA, 19 (46%) had ITP, 8 (20%) had PRBCA and 2 (5%) had AIAG. 17% of patients had 2 or more AID diagnoses. In 4 patients (10%) the diagnosis of AID preceded the diagnosis of CLPD, and in 7 patients (17%) the diagnoses were made concurrently. In the 32 patients with CLL, the median lymphocyte count at diagnosis was 24.8 x 109/L (5.18 – 121.8). Of 27 CLL patients who had interphase FISH analysis performed, 12 (44%) had abnormalities associated with poor prognosis CLL (17p13–11% 11q22–22%, 12+ 11%), and 15 (56%) had results associated with a more favorable prognosis (no detectable abnormalities or 13q14 deletion as the sole abnormality). CD38 was positive (> 30% of cells) in 38% of 21 tested patients. 39 patients required treatment for their AID. Treatment included corticosteroids (90%), splenectomy (31%), chemotherapy (31%), and rituximab (46%). Response rates following the first treatment for AID were: AIHA 53% complete response (CR) and 26% partial response (PR); ITP 56% CR and 22% PR; PRBCA 38% CR and 38% PR; AIAG no responses. Of the 41 patients seen over the 10 year period, there were 4 deaths (2 from CLPD). Conclusions This study of a large cohort of community and referred patients showed a prevalence of AID similar to that reported in community based studies. We found an equivalent prevalence of AIHA and ITP as well as a substantial number of patients with 2 or more AID complications. This could be due in part to detailed workup of all cytopenias. In addition, 27% of patients did not have a prior diagnosis of a B cell malignancy when presenting with AID. The measured biological risk factors (FISH anomalies and CD38) suggest that CLL patients with AID do not have a higher percentage of high risk CLL. The majority of patients responded well to AID treatment. Mortality appears to be lower than CLL patients with non-autoimmune cytopenia. These preliminary data suggest that AID is a common and often presenting complication of CLL/SLL and other CLPD. Early diagnosis and management of AID could lead to improved outcomes.


Author(s):  
Iskander I. Zaidullin ◽  
Denis O. Karimov ◽  
Lilija K. Karimova ◽  
Milyausha F. Kabirova ◽  
Rasima R. Galimova ◽  
...  

The susceptibility to the development and progression of inflammatory periodontal diseases, which depends on genetic and external factors (smoking, stress, oral hygiene), varies widely. In the development of these diseases, an important role is played not only by the presence of periodontal pathogenic microorganisms, but also by the presence of congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, immunoregulatory defects. The immune system plays a key role in the physiological and pathological processes of periodontal tissues. In this regard, IL17, produced by CD4+ Th cells, which has both Pro-inflammatory and protective activity, is of particular interest in the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The aim of study was to identify the relationship between polymorphic loci of the IL-17A (rs2275913) and MMP-1 (rs1799750) genes and clinical manifestations of chronic periodontitis in petrochemical workers. Dental examination was performed in 92 ethylene oxide production workers with chronic periodontitis and 74 patients with chronic periodontitis who did not come into contact with chemical factors (control group). Genotyping of polymorphisms rs2275913 of the IL17A gene and rs1799750 of the MMP1 gene was performed by allele-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Hygienic assessment of the degree of air pollution of the working area with harmful substances was carried out by gas chromatography according to the guidelines for the determination of harmful substances in the air № 5098-89, № 3119-84. When comparing the results of studies of both groups, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequency distributions of allelic variants and genotypes of the IL-17A and MMP-1 genes. The AA/AG genotypes of the IL-17A gene were associated with an increased risk of severe disease compared to the GG genotype in workers in the main group (OR=6.1; 95% CI 1.33-28.5; p=0.021) and in the control group (OR=7.26; 95% CI 1.34-39.25; p=0.016). Carriers of the A allele in the control group increased the risk of severe chronic periodontitis by 2.4 times compared to carriers of the G allele (OR=2.41; 95% CI 1.19-4.87; p=0.014). During the dental examination of employees of the ethylene oxide plant, the clinical course of periodontal diseases was more severe in comparison with the control group, and the number of patients with severe periodontitis was twice as high. It was found that the AA/AG genotypes of the IL-17A gene and the carrier of the A allele are associated with increased susceptibility to the development of severe chronic periodontitis. The association between the MMP-1 gene polymorphism and the risk of severe forms of chronic periodontitis has not been established. A risk factor for the development of inflammatory periodontal diseases in employees of the petrochemical complex is a complex of harmful production factors.


Author(s):  
Rabia Arshad

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the research priorities of health organizations due to increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Outbreaks of nosocomial infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter Baumannii (CRAB) strains are at rise worldwide. Antimicrobial resistance to carbapenems reduces clinical therapeutic choices and frequently led to treatment failure. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii isolated from patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, from December 2016 to November 2017. Total 63 non-repetitive A. baumannii were collected from the patients’ specimens, admitted to medical and surgical ICUs and wards of JPMC, Karachi. The bacterial isolates were processed according to standard microbiological procedures to observe for carbapenem resistance. SPSS 21 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of the 63 patients, 40 (63.5%) were male. The age of the patient ranged from 15-85 year, with average of 43 year. 34.9% patients had been hospitalized for 3 days. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was present in highest number with average of 58.7% for morbidity. Number of patients on mechanical ventilation was highest (65.1%). All isolates were susceptible to colistin. The resistance to ampicillin-sulbactam, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, piperacillin- tazobactam and meropenem was 82.5%, 81%, 100%, 87.3%, 82.5% and 82% respectively. Out of 82% CRAB, 77% were obtained from ICUs. Conclusion: This study has revealed the high rate of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii isolates in ICUs thus leaving behind limited therapeutic options.


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i12-i42
Author(s):  
C Abbott ◽  
K Bishop ◽  
F Hill ◽  
C Finlow ◽  
R Maraj

Abstract Introduction In September 2017 our frailty service was started within our medium sized DGH in North Wales. Working with our management team we secured a significant clinical resource including: We describe how resources, setting and staffing develop over a 2 year period in order to create a service which meets the needs of the local population. Method The service has been in a constant state of development since it has been in operation, utilising a PDSA model with regular meetings of clinical and managerial staff to analyse performance. Results With each new PDSA cycle the amount of patients reviewed has increased. With the move to AMU we increased the monthly number of patients reviewed from 29 to 172 patients reviewed, 97 of which were discharged directly from the unit. Conclusion Using QI methodology our Frailty Service has improved dramatically since its inception. We will continue to analyse how we work to improve patient outcomes and cost effectiveness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sefer Elezkurtaj ◽  
Selina Greuel ◽  
Jana Ihlow ◽  
Edward Georg Michaelis ◽  
Philip Bischoff ◽  
...  

AbstractInfection by the new corona virus strain SARS-CoV-2 and its related syndrome COVID-19 has been associated with more than two million deaths worldwide. Patients of higher age and with preexisting chronic health conditions are at an increased risk of fatal disease outcome. However, detailed information on causes of death and the contribution of pre-existing health conditions to death yet is missing, which can be reliably established by autopsy only. We performed full body autopsies on 26 patients that had died after SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 at the Charité University Hospital Berlin, Germany, or at associated teaching hospitals. We systematically evaluated causes of death and pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, clinical records and death certificates were evaluated. We report findings on causes of death and comorbidities of 26 decedents that had clinically presented with severe COVID-19. We found that septic shock and multi organ failure was the most common immediate cause of death, often due to suppurative pulmonary infection. Respiratory failure due to diffuse alveolar damage presented as immediate cause of death in fewer cases. Several comorbidities, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and obesity were present in the vast majority of patients. Our findings reveal that causes of death were directly related to COVID-19 in the majority of decedents, while they appear not to be an immediate result of preexisting health conditions and comorbidities. We therefore suggest that the majority of patients had died of COVID-19 with only contributory implications of preexisting health conditions to the mechanism of death.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
R. Cunningham ◽  
A. Milner ◽  
S. Gibb ◽  
V. Rijnberg ◽  
G. Disney ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Unemployment and being not in the labour force (NILF) are risk factors for suicide, but their association with self-harm is unclear, and there is continuing debate about the role of confounding by prior mental health conditions. We examine associations between employment status and self-harm and suicide in a prospective cohort, taking into account prior mental-health-related factors. Methods We used linked data from the New Zealand Integrated Data Infrastructure. The outcomes were chosen to be hospital presentation for self-harm and death by suicide. The exposure was employment status, defined as employed, unemployed, or NILF, measured at the 2013 Census. Confounders included demographic factors and mental health history (use of antidepressant medication, use of mental health services, and prior self-harm). Logistic regression was used to model effects. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results For males, unemployment was associated with an increased risk of suicide [odds ratio (OR): 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20–1.84] and self-harm (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.45–1.68) after full adjustment for confounders. NILF was associated with an increased risk of self-harm (OR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.32–1.55), but less of an association was seen with suicide (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 0.94–1.49). For females, unemployment was associated with an increased risk of suicide (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.93–1.80) and of self-harm (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.43–1.62), and NILF was associated with a similar increase in risk for suicide (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.98–1.75) and self-harm (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.26–1.40). Discussion Exclusion from employment is associated with a considerably heightened risk of suicide and self-harm for both men and women, even among those without prior mental health problems.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e038829
Author(s):  
Ross McQueenie ◽  
Barbara I Nicholl ◽  
Bhautesh D Jani ◽  
Jordan Canning ◽  
Sara Macdonald ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo investigate how the type and number of long-term conditions (LTCs) impact on all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).DesignPopulation-based longitudinal cohort study.SettingUK Biobank.ParticipantsUK Biobank participants (n=502 533) aged between 37 and 73 years old.Primary outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were risk of all-cause mortality and MACE.MethodsWe examined the relationship between LTC count and individual comorbid LTCs (n=42) on adverse clinical outcomes in participants with self-reported RA (n=5658). Risk of all-cause mortality and MACE were compared using Cox’s proportional hazard models adjusted for lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity), demographic factors (sex, age, socioeconomic status) and rheumatoid factor.Results75.7% of participants with RA had multimorbidity and these individuals were at increased risk of all-cause mortality and MACE. RA and >4 LTCs showed a threefold increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 3.30, 95% CI 2.61 to 4.16), and MACE (HR 3.45, 95% CI 2.66 to 4.49) compared with those without LTCs. Of the comorbid LTCs studied, osteoporosis was most strongly associated with adverse outcomes in participants with RA compared with those without RA or LTCs: twofold increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.55 to 3.12) and threefold increased risk of MACE (HR 3.17, 95% CI 2.27 to 4.64). These findings remained in a subset (n=3683) with RA diagnosis validated from clinical records or medication reports.ConclusionThose with RA and other LTCs, particularly comorbid osteoporosis, are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, although the role of corticosteroids could not be evaluated in this study. These results are clinically relevant for the monitoring and management of RA across the healthcare system, and future clinical guidelines for RA should acknowledge the importance of multimorbidity.


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