scholarly journals Specialised in-patient psychiatric service for women

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doro Kohen
Keyword(s):  
Inner City ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Psychiatric Service ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Admission Criteria ◽  
Single Gender ◽  
Staffing Levels ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward

Aims and methodTo describe one of the first psychiatric services in the inner-city especially designated for female psychiatric patients with severe mental illness.ResultsThe referral system, the staffing levels and the admission criteria have been established following needs of the patients, especially young women with perinatal problems and women from ethnic minorities.Clinical implicationsThis single gender acute psychiatric ward has received welcome attention from mental health professionals and management at every level, and it is hoped that further discussion will help to clarify future policies and guidelines on all aspects of this venture.

scholarly journals Taking the temperature: attitudes of patients on an all-female psychiatric ward to staff gender

2009 ◽  
Vol 33 (12) ◽  
pp. 457-460
Author(s):  
Lisa Conlan ◽  
Helen Read ◽  
Elizabeth Picton
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Large Majority ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Single Gender ◽  
Weekly Basis ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Predominantly Female ◽  
Mixed Gender

Aims and MethodTo survey the attitudes of in-patients on an all-female ward to staff gender. All patients were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire which was then repeated on a four-weekly basis for 4 months. Staff members were surveyed once within this period.ResultsOnly 15% of patients (n = 52) wanted all staff members to be female, whereas 87% reported feeling comfortable with male staff; 51% would prefer a predominantly female, mixed-gender staff. All staff (n = 11) were in favour of mixed-gender staffing.Clinical ImplicationsCurrent best practice for staffing single-gender acute in-patient units is unclear. This survey is in line with findings from other studies in that a large majority of female in-patients prefer to be in a unit with mixed staff.

scholarly journals Copying clinic letters to psychiatric patients

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 327-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayyeb A. Tahir ◽  
Jonathan I. Bisson ◽  
Jodie Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Therapeutic Relationship ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Considerable Work

Aims and MethodTo assess the views of patients and mental health professionals on the practice of copying clinical letters to patients. Patients and professionals from local community mental health teams were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding their views.ResultsThe questionnaires were completed by 51 patients and 40 mental health professionals. Significantly more patients (83%) than staff (37%) thought that copying letters to patients was a good idea (OR=14.56, 95% CI 4.674 –45.158). Many staff appeared concerned that copying letters to patients could result in breakdown of the therapeutic relationship, causing distress and anxiety.Clinical ImplicationsConsiderable work is needed for clinicians to feel comfortable in copying letters to patients. The creation of working groups, including users, carers, managers and clinicians working in the field of mental health, would facilitate the development of guidelines for this practice.

Patients’ Self-Report as Predictor of Self-Harm and Violence in an Acute Psychiatric Unit. A Prospective Naturalistic Study

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (S1) ◽  
pp. 1-1
Author(s):  
J.O. Roaldset ◽  
S. Bjørkly ◽  
K.G. Gøtestam
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Phase 2 ◽  
Violent Behaviour ◽  
Self Mutilation ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward

The risk of self-harm and violent behaviour by psychiatric patients is an important clinical research topic. However, a literature search on measurement of patients’ structured self-reported assessment of future risk of violent, suicidal or self mutilating behaviour failed to disclose any published empirical research. In the acute psychiatric ward at Ålesund Hospital in Norway we conducted a study of risk assessment of self harm and violent behaviour at admittance and at discharge, followed by prospective measurement of occurred episodes.All admitted patients during one year (489 persons with 716 stays) were included. At admittance and at discharge the Violence Risk Screening-10 (V-RISK-10), items taping suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and patients’ structured self-reported risk of self-harm and violent behaviour (583 self-reports) were scored (six items: no risk-, little-, moderate-, high-, very high risk, don't know the risk, will not answer). The patients were asked to give a blood sample to measure lipids and serotonin. Incidents of aggressive behaviour (against others and self-directed) were monitored during hospital stay (phase 1) and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after discharge (phase 2).Preliminary results pertaining to the relationship between the patients’ predictions of self-harm and violent behaviour and occurred episodes during the subsequent hospital stay (phase 1) and the first three months after discharge (phase 2), indicate that the predictive validity of patients’ self-report was highly significant both for violent behaviour, suicidal behaviour and self mutilation in phase 1 and phase 2. Effect sizes ranged from moderate to high.

scholarly journals The outcome of rough sleepers with mental health problems admitted to a psychiatric ward

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoë C. Graham ◽  
Frankie S. Salton-Cox ◽  
Peter D. White
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Involuntary Admission ◽  
Psychiatric Admission ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward

Aims and methodTo describe the outcome of rough sleepers admitted to an acute psychiatric ward; the professional most involved with the person was interviewed.ResultsEleven out of 12 people admitted with a psychosis were accommodated and in touch with mental health services at follow-up (median of 21 months) compared with two out of 10 people, admitted without a psychosis, accommodated and four out of 10 people in touch with mental health services.Clinical implicationsPsychiatric admission with good aftercare is worthwhile for rough sleepers with a psychosis, even if it requires involuntary admission.

Management of patients' physical health in an acute psychiatric unit

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
Ann Payne ◽  
Julius Essem
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Psychiatric Unit ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Care Problems ◽  
Medical Healthcare

AbstractObjective: The aim of this study was to help clarify the range of acute medical problems experienced by patients on an acute psychiatric unit during a period of 28 days and nights, as encountered by psychiatric trainees, and to document any difficulties experienced by the trainee during these patient contacts.Method: This survey was carried out prospectively over 28 days and nights in an acute psychiatric ward attached to a teaching University Hospital. Following contact with an individual patient, the trainee recorded diagnosis, intervention and any difficulties encountered.Results: Thirty-three patient contacts were recorded (n = 33). Trainees faced a range of primary care problems 22/33 (67%), but moreover, three patients demonstrated more serious and potentially life threatening problems, leading to 11/33 (33%) patient contacts requiring urgent interventions.Conclusions: While the debate continues as to who is best placed to provide medical healthcare for psychiatric patients, this study provides evidence that psychiatry trainees are required to draw on their previous medical and surgical experience on an almost daily basis. As psychiatrists we should consider our options on how best to manage medical problems on the acute psychiatric unit and consequently ensure confident liaison with our medical and surgical colleagues.

scholarly journals Violence against psychiatrists by patients: survey in a London mental health trust

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 371-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Dhumad ◽  
Anusha Wijeratne ◽  
Ian Treasaden
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Psychological Support ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Health Trust

Aims and MethodA survey was undertaken to investigate assaults of psychiatrists by patients in a 12-month period. Surveys were sent to 199 psychiatrists representing all sub-specialties and grades in a London mental health trust.ResultsThere were 129 returned responses (response rate 64.8%). In the 12-month study period, 12.4% of all psychiatrists and 32.4% of senior house officers were assaulted. None received or took up offers of formal, as opposed to informal, psychological support. Most assaults occurred on a psychiatric ward. Vulnerability to assaults was not influenced by courses on prevention and management of violence or by the attitudes of psychiatrists to violence by psychiatric patients.Clinical ImplicationsSenior house officers are most vulnerable to assaults. Greater attention may need to be given to psychiatric wards where most assaults occurred. Trusts should ensure that those assaulted are identified and offered support.

scholarly journals The environment psychiatric patients create for themselves: the varying perceptions of professional staff

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 134-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ernest Gralton ◽  
Steve Pearson ◽  
Alastair Sutherland ◽  
Martin Donovan ◽  
Geraint Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Environmental Psychology ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Visual Environment ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Psychology Research

Aims and MethodsA pilot study was undertaken to investigate whether there was evidence that professional staffs' perception of a patient's environment were significantly altered by certain variables.ResultsGender and, to a lesser extent, age were found to be variables that significantly affect the perception of a patient's personal environment.Clinical ImplicationsPsychiatrists and other mental health professionals should be aware that there may be significant differences between the way individual professionals perceive the same visual environment. Psychiatry may benefit from future links with environmental psychology research.

scholarly journals Aggressive behaviour in an acute general adult psychiatric unit

2006 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 166-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selim M. El-Badri ◽  
Graham Mellsop
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Aggressive Behaviour ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Overt Aggression ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
History Of ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Overt Aggression Scale

Aims and MethodThe study aimed to identify the correlates of aggressive behaviour in an adult acute psychiatric ward. Over a period of 9 months, all incidents of verbal and physical aggressive behaviour exhibited by in-patients were routinely assessed using the Overt Aggression Scale.ResultsOf the 535 patients admitted during the study period, 80 (15%) were involved in a total of 124 aggressive incidents. Of these 80, 44 (55%) had a history of previous violence and 54 (68%) had a history of substance misuse. The majority of events occurred early in the hospital stay and in most cases aggression was against staff. There were significant differences between aggressive and non-aggressive patients in terms of gender and ethnicity, with the lowest rate occurring in European females.Clinical ImplicationsThese results reinforce clinical impressions, and empirical evidence, and allow risk assessment to be performed with greater confidence. The relevance of ethnicity (or more likely culture) highlights the difficulties of a ‘one size fits all’ approach to risk assessment.

scholarly journals Polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotics at the time of discharge from acute psychiatric wards

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 288-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongeji E. Tungaraza ◽  
Uzma Zahid ◽  
Bhanumurthy Venkataramaiah
Keyword(s):  
Small Proportion ◽  
Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
High Dose ◽  
National Formulary ◽  
Antipsychotic Medications ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Wards ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Acute Psychiatric Ward ◽  
Discharge Summaries

Aims and methodTo determine the extent of prescribed antipsychotic polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotics at the time of discharge from an acute psychiatric ward. Copies of discharge summaries for patients between the ages of 18 and 65 were examined; only those that had antipsychotic medications at the time of discharge were included. Names and doses of antipsychotics and all other medications concurrently prescribed were recorded.ResultsA total of 651 discharge summaries were included in the study. Nearly a quarter of individuals were discharged on one antipsychotic as the only medication to take home; only 6.8% were discharged on a high-dose antipsychotic and of those on combinations 59.6% were on depot medications. Combining antipsychotics significantly predicted the use of high dose.Clinical implicationsMost patients were discharged on doses of antipsychotics within the British National Formulary limits; however, a small proportion is still sent home on high doses of antipsychotics. Combining antipsychotics remains the strongest predictor of high-dose antipsychotic use; clinicians need to be aware of this.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document