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The physical health of residents of long-stay wards in Carlow/Kilkenny

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Itoro Udo  and
Mary Mooney
Itoro Udo*
Affiliation:
Liaison Psychiatry, Roseberry Park Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
Mary Mooney
Affiliation:
St. John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Dublin. Formerly Clinical Director, Carlow/Kilkenny Mental Health Service, Ireland
*
*Correspondence E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives: This audit is supported by regulations within the Mental Health Act 2001. It is in response to the Mental Health Commission Strategic Priority Number One, Quality Framework, 2002-2008 which aims to promote high standards of physical examination in the care of long-stay residents of psychiatric facilities. It is based on improved awareness of adverse effects of mental illness or its treatment on physical health. This awareness informs better practice.

Method: Physical examination proforma and case notes of all long-stay residents in wards in Carlow and Kilkenny were assessed over a six month period to examine the quality of physical examination. Following departmental meetings and literature review, standards of care as recommended by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Occasional Paper 67 and Irish statutory documents were agreed to be the appropriate benchmark.

Results: Areas of strength were the examination of ‘routine’ systems (> 92%), ie. cardiovascular, respiratory, alimentary, central nervous, genitourinary and the frequency of clinical review by treating psychiatric team. Areas needing improvement were eye (8%) and ear (3%) examinations, measurements of weight (58%), height (1.6%), body mass index (1.6%), waist circumference (0%), investigating for prostatic specific antigen (50%), discussion of results of physical examination and investigations with the residents (both 0%) and referral to BreastCheck (36%).

Conclusion: A new physical examination form has been created for long-stay residents to correct these deficiencies and a new departmental policy document setting out a standard of practice consistent with recommended practice and general statutory requirements has been put into place.

Keywords

Physical healthLong-stay residentsA Vision for ChangeHSE Transformation Programme
Type
Audit
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 28 , Issue 4 , December 2011 , pp. 209 - 212
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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