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Standards of prescription writing in a long-term psychogeriatric unit: a series of clinical audits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 October 2014

L. S. Wilson ,
P. Devitt  and
O. Hally
L. S. Wilson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of Old Age, St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, Donabate, Co. Dublin, Ireland
P. Devitt
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of Old Age, St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, Donabate, Co. Dublin, Ireland
O. Hally
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry of Old Age, St. Ita’s Hospital, Portrane, Donabate, Co. Dublin, Ireland
*
*Address for correspondence: L. Wilson, Department of Psychiatry of Old Age, St. Ita)s Hospital, Portrane, Donabate, Co. Dublin, Ireland. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to improve the quality of prescription writing in a long-term psychogeriatric inpatient unit by a combination of serial audits and interventions designed to address the identified deficiencies.

Methods

We undertook three clinical audits of the prescription sheets used in an inpatient unit providing continuing care for residents with severe and enduring mental illness and dementia. Based on the findings of the first audit a set of prescribing guidelines was implemented into the ward. Following the second audit a new prescription sheet was developed. The format of the new prescription sheet was designed to account for the needs of the unit and to adhere to Irish and UK best practise guidelines. Two months after its introduction we undertook a third audit.

Results

Completion of the drug sensitivity box increased from 25% at audit one to 100% at audit three. Other specific aspects of prescription writing that had been poor at the beginning of the audit cycle also showed improvement: prescribing of generic psychotropic drugs increased by 69% and inclusion of the prescribers Medical Council Registration Number increased by 78%. However, some basic aspects of prescription writing remained weak such as frequency of drug administration and documentation of the stop/review date for ‘as required’ medication.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that clinical audit and feedback can improve the quality of prescriptions in an in-patient setting.

Keywords

Ageddrug monitoringdrug prescriptionmedical auditmedication errorsmental disorderspsychiatry
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 32 , Issue 2 , June 2015 , pp. 197 - 204
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2014 

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