scholarly journals Review of antipsychotic prescribing at HMP/YOI Low Newton

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Lois Carey ◽  
Stephen Barlow
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Antipsychotic Medication ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Antipsychotic Medications ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Health Team

Aims and Method The purpose of this review was to establish whether the prescription of antipsychotic medication in HMP Low Newton was safe, rational and consistent with current best practice. A search of the electronic healthcare records was performed on 14 March 2018 to identify all the women in the prison who were prescribed antipsychotic medication, and then data were collected from the records. Results A total of 46 out of 336 prisoners (13.7%) had been prescribed antipsychotic medications; 29 of the 46 patients (84.8%) were also prescribed other psychotropic medications at the same time. Quetiapine was the most frequently prescribed antipsychotic and was also the most likely to be prescribed for off-label indications. Less than one-third of all antipsychotic prescriptions were for psychotic disorders. Clinical implications The rationale for prescribing all antipsychotic medication, especially for off-label indications, should be clearly documented and reviewed regularly within the prison by the mental health team and psychiatrist.

scholarly journals Patient factors associated with the use of psychotropic polypharmacy in patients under the care of a community mental health team in the West of Ireland

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S106-S106
Author(s):  
Karthika Srikumar ◽  
Richard Walsh ◽  
Donnchadh Walsh ◽  
Sonn Patel ◽  
Sheila O'Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Drug Regimen ◽  
Psychotropic Medications ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Patient Factors ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Factors Associated

AimsPsychiatric polypharmacy refers to the prescription of two or more psychotropic medications to any one patient. This definition is purely quantitative and does not take into account whether such a prescription is detrimental, or unnecessary. In many cases, polypharmacy has been implemented in challenging illnesses, and some studies have shown that it can improve overall outcomes for certain patients. Evidence suggests that the prevalence of psychotropic polypharmacy is increasing, despite advances in psychosocial interventions. The aim of this study was to assess the current prevalence of polypharmacy among patients being treated by a community mental health team (CMHT), and the patient factors associated with its use.MethodWe performed a cross-sectional study of all patients registered with a CMHT in a mixed urban/rural area on a single date. Case records were examined to determine the most recently prescribed drug regimen for each patient. Clinical chart diagnoses were recorded and each one independently verified by the team consultant using ICD-10. A number other sociodemographic variables were recorded. Using Microsoft Excel, we analysed the medications prescribed as well as rates and levels of polypharmacy based on multiple different patient characteristics.ResultOf the 245 patients, the mean age was 56.3 and 51.2% (n = 126) were female. Psychotropic polypharmacy was seen in 62% (n = 152) of patients. 33% (n = 82) of patients were on two psychotropic medications, and of this subset, a combination of one antipsychotic and one antidepressant was the most common drug regimen, seen in 16.7% (n = 41) of all patients. Polypharmacy was more prevalent in females, with 68% (n = 85) being on two or more psychotropics, in comparison to 58% of male patients. In relation to age, patients aged between 51 to 65 years had the highest prevalence of polypharmacy, at a rate of 71% (n = 49). Among all primary diagnoses, polypharmacy was most common in patients with affective disorders, with 80% (n = 40) of this patient cohort on two or more medications. Second to this was psychotic disorders, with polypharmacy seen in 65% (n = 62) of this group.ConclusionWe found that psychotropic polypharmacy is highly prevalent in psychiatric patients being treated in a community setting. Certain demographics and patient factors, such as age, gender and psychiatric diagnosis influenced the rate of polypharmacy and certain drug combinations were more commonly prescribed than others.

scholarly journals Quetiapine: off-label prescribing in a community mental health team

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S63-S64
Author(s):  
Ala Abdelgadir ◽  
Richard Walsh ◽  
Elizabeth Walsh ◽  
Sonn Patel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Prescribing Patterns ◽  
Low Doses ◽  
Off Label Use ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Off Label ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Label Use

AimsQuetiapine is an atypical anti-psychotic medication licensed for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and adjunctive use in major depressive disorder. It's off-label use in low doses is increasing, possibly due to its sedative qualities, tolerability, low risk of extrapyramidal symptoms and to limit the unnecessary use of benzodiazepines. However, previous research highlights the risk of metabolic consequences even in low doses. Our aim is to establish the prescribing patterns and off-label use of quetiapine within a complete comminity mental health team population (CMHT).MethodThe GR1 CMHT provides care to a population of 25,000 people in a mixed urban and rural area. Multi-disciplinary case notes for all registered patients were reviewed for a one-year period. A database was created to include sociodemographic details, diagnosis, and medication. The proportion of patients prescribed quetiapine was identified and the dosage divided into multiple increments. The team's consultant reviewed and verified all ICD-10 diagnoses. Quetiapine dose by diagnosis was examined using descriptive statistics.ResultOf 246 registered patients, 62 (25% of CMHT caseload) were prescribed Quetiapine. Quetiapine was prescribed across a range of disorders including psychotic 17 (27%), mood 18 (29%), anxiety 14 (22 %), personality disorders 11 (18%) and others 2 (3%). Doses spanned between 25 mg – 800 mg daily. 19 patients (31%) were prescribed less than 25 mg, 20 patients (32%) between 25 mg and 100 mg and 23 patients (37%) above 100 mg. In psychotic and mood disorders, dosage varied widely between the low and high range. Furthermore, of the psychotic disorders, 11 (65%) were prescribed a second antipsychotic medication. For diagnoses in which the prescribing indication was clearly off-label, the dosages were predominantly low (100 mg or less).ConclusionQuetiapine was commonly prescribed in our patient population. Its frequent off-label use in low doses suggests that its prescription was for its additional qualities. Our findings highlight the importance of assessing the risk-benefit profile for every patient given the potential side effects, involving patients in the consultation of its off-label use and appropriate monitoring.

scholarly journals A follow-up study of the use of a patient-held record in mental health

2002 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stafford ◽  
R. Laugharne ◽  
K. Gannon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
The Past

Aims and MethodPatient-held records have been introduced in mental health over the past 2 decades. This follow-up study aimed to evaluate one pilot project 5 years after the records were introduced. All patients initially interviewed 4 years previously were approached and asked about their use and opinion of the record.ResultsOf the 19 people interviewed, 12 were still using the record and had a positive opinion of its usefulness. Of all community mental health team contacts, 72% were recorded in the patient-held notes.Clinical ImplicationsPatient-held records are sustainable in a naturalistic clinical setting over the period of 5 years.

scholarly journals Three months in the life of a community mental health team

1994 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 615-617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Scott ◽  
Sara McCluskey ◽  
Lesley Smith
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Referral Patterns ◽  
Health Team

An audit was undertaken to assess the efficacy and efficiency of a community-based mental health service which attempts to prioritise the care of those with severe and enduring disorders. Referral patterns over a three month period and change in case-load over the subsequent 12 months were recorded. Seventy-five per cent of new referrals met the priority group criteria, allaying anxieties that community services unceasingly get drawn to the care of those with less severe disorders. Furthermore, at 12 months the service had maintained contact with all patients previously admitted to hospital and all those presenting with psychotic disorders (27% referrals). Some changes in service structure are also suggested as a result of this evaluation.

scholarly journals Prescribing and monitoring high dose and combined antipsychotics in community mental health team

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S175-S175
Author(s):  
Dipanjan Banerjee ◽  
Tracey Green ◽  
Umama Khan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Maximum Dose ◽  
Antipsychotic Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Antipsychotic Medications ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Regular Monitoring

AimsThe aim was to establish the prevalence of prescription of combined and high dose antipsychotics in the community mental health team and to see if such patients were being offered regular monitoring as advised by NICE guidelines.BackgroundThe use of high dose antipsychotic treatment (HDAT) should be in line with the recommendations of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Consensus statement on high dose antipsychotic Treatment. Such treatment should be initiated only when standard treatments have failed. As high dose prescribing of antipsychotic medications can potentially harm than benefit causing serious side effects and sudden death. Close monitoring and documentation are required. Also, reviewing these patients at regular intervals is recommended.MethodA retrospective audit of 50 case notes of patients currently on antipsychotics was done. Case notes were selected randomly from a pool of 300 plus patients under the care of Isle of Wight NHS Trust in the HoNos Cluster 11 and 12 care pathways. Data were gathered on patients` demographics, diagnosis, medication monitoring. Data were analysed and discussed with consultant psychiatrist and senior mental health pharmacist. Patients who were not on any antipsychotic medications were not included in the audit.Result90% of the patients were on single antipsychotic (45 out of 50), 4.45% (2 out of 45)were above BNF recommended dose. 10% (5) patients were prescribed combined antipsychotics. 40% (2)of them were above BNF recommended maximum dose. A total of 8% (4 out of 50) patients were on above BNF recommended maximum dose. All the patients on high dose antipsychotics had a clear plan documented in the system. Documented monitoring of Full blood count was found in 75%, blood glucose in 50%, lipid in 75%, cardiac monitoring (Electrocardiogram or ECG) in 0%, physical health monitoring in 0%ConclusionAs far as we know, this is the first time an audit has been done on the patients under the Community Mental Health Team on high dose antipsychotic treatment. The data showed areas of good practice as the majority of the patients were on monotherapy, and all the patients on a high dose or combined antipsychotics had clear management plans outlined in their notes. However, the audit also highlighted areas that currently need improvements such as regular monitoring of the patients on high dose and combined antipsychotics. It should also be clearly documented, recorded, and reviewed at six-monthly intervals.

scholarly journals Liaison-consultation meetings in general practice

1999 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca J. Tipper ◽  
Ian M. Pullen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Audio Recordings ◽  
Shared Information

Aims and methodAudio-recordings were made over a period of six months of liaison–consultation meetings between general practitioners and a community mental health team in the Scottish Borders to show general trends in length of discussion and information exchange.ResultsMeetings were predominantly supportive, with high levels of shared information, but little educational content. Some trends in discussion time are shown.Clinical implicationsAudio-recording could form the basis for reviewing the function of liaison-consultation meetings.

scholarly journals Mental health day centres

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jocelyn Catty ◽  
Tom Burns
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Team Care ◽  
Physical Health Care ◽  
Day Hospitals

Aims and MethodMental health day centres have been little researched. We carried out a 1-week census at the four day centres run by a London borough.ResultsThe centres catered for a g roup with long-standing mental health problems, mostly under community mental health team care. A surprising number were suffering from physical ill health. They attended the centres primarily for social reasons or to participate in creative groups such as music and art.Very few were concurrently attending day hospitals.Clinical ImplicationsFurther work is essential to understand the distinction between NHS day hospitals and Social Services day centres in terms of utilisation and client group.This client group's needs, particularly for physical health care, require urgent attention.

scholarly journals Use of psychotropic medication among psychiatric out-patients with personality disorder

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Baker-Glenn ◽  
Mark Steels ◽  
Chris Evans
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Personality Disorder ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Psychotropic Medication ◽  
Primary Diagnosis ◽  
Total Annual Cost ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team

Aims and methodThis survey was conducted to ascertain the use of psychotropic medication in the treatment of patients with a primary diagnosis of personality disorder within a community mental health team. A sample of 113 patients were identified, their notes were reviewed, and details of current medications and diagnoses recorded.ResultsFour-fifths of patients were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication. The most commonly prescribed medication class was antidepressant, comprising almost half of prescriptions. The total annual cost across 107 patients was £37 000.Clinical implicationsMedication is commonly prescribed to people with personality disorder but more needs to be known about why prescriptions are started and stopped, what the benefits are, and how these are judged by patients and care teams.

scholarly journals Awareness and documentation of the teratogenic effects of valproate among women of child-bearing potential

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 233-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Mulryan ◽  
Anna McIntyre ◽  
Colm McDonald ◽  
Sabina Feeney ◽  
Brian Hallahan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Teratogenic Effects ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Clinical Note ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Child Bearing ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Clear Description

Aims and methodWe aimed to evaluate clinical note documentation of valproate prescribing and establish the level of knowledge among women of child-bearing potential regarding valproate-associated adverse effects, including teratogenesis, in a regional Irish mental health service.ResultsOf the 42 women prescribed sodium valproate, 21.4% (n = 9) had some documentation in relation to associated risks and 33.3% (n = 14) described an awareness of these risks from consultation with their treating mental health team. On clinical interview, 9.5% (n = 4) of individuals with clear documentation of the risks of teratogenesis described no such awareness. Augmentation with lithium was associated with greater awareness of the teratogenic risks of valproate (P = 0.011).Clinical implicationsA clear description of the teratogenic risks of valproate and potential management strategies, including advice regarding contraception and supplementation with folic acid, should be clearly documented and provided repeatedly and in context to all women of child-bearing age who are prescribed valproate.Declaration of interestNone.

scholarly journals Polypharmacy and high-dose antipsychotic regimes in the community

2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tongeji E. Tungaraza ◽  
Seema Gupta ◽  
Jane Jones ◽  
Rob Poole ◽  
Gary Slegg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Community Mental Health ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotics ◽  
Case Note ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Community Mental Health Team ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Health Team ◽  
Standing Problem

Aims and methodTo determine the pattern of psychotropic prescribing in a group of people with psychosis who were living in the community under community mental health team (CMHT) care. Case-note entries over the previous 12 months were examined.ResultsOnly a third of individuals were on one psychotropic medication. Atypical antipsychotics were prescribed to 80.6%. Polypharmacy was common. A third of people were taking three or more psychotropic drugs and 13.7% were on high-dose regimes, mostly involving two atypical antipsychotics.Clinical implicationsThe use of atypicals has not eliminated polypharmacy or high-dose antipsychotic regimes. Clinicians need to be aware of this long-standing problem.

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