Conference paper
ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL OBSERVATION ON ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC WARDS
Hellme Najim
; Mental Health Unit, Basildon Hospital, Basildon, Essex, UK
Khalid Saleem
; Mental Health Unit, Basildon Hospital, Basildon, Essex, UK
Basil Al Shirbiny
; Mental Health Unit, Basildon Hospital, Basildon, Essex, UK
Nebo Ezeasor
; Mental Health Unit, Basildon Hospital, Basildon, Essex, UK
Abstract
Background: Clinical observation is very important to manage risk of people who are acutely ill on psychiatric wards. It is
always an area of dispute between different specialities and disciplines in serious untoward incidents (SUI). Three levels of observations
have been applied on acute psychiatric words. Assessing practice is important to help to identify any area needs improving.
Methods: A questionnaire was developed by HN to collect demographics. Medical notes on Westley and Grangewater wards
were reviewed. Excel Microsoft Office World Computer Programme was used to analyse the results.
Results: 57% were men. 62% were above 41 years of age. Majority were suffering from schizophrenia and schizoaffective
disorders 61%. 64.28% were admitted as formal patients. 31.42% were on level I observation.62.53 were informal. 54.76% were risk
to themselves, 28.57% risk to others. 82.3% were on level II observation, 31.42% formal and 68.50% informal. 21.32% were on level
III observation. 66.66% were formal and 66.66% had an incident before this level.
Conclusion: This study have shown that patients are assessed properly before they go on any level of care. Some patients need to
go on level III as they pose a risk mainly to other people. Regular reviews of patients, especially on high level of observation should
be done more promptly, as being on observation is not a comfortable experience to go through and applying the least restrictive
practice should always be sought and adopted.
Keywords
acute ward; clinical observation; serious untoward incidents
Hrčak ID:
266513
URI
Publication date:
26.8.2013.
Visits: 440 *