scholarly journals Adherence to Public Health England (PHE) guidance for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in north Wales mental health unit- a regional audit

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S318-S318
Author(s):  
Asha Dhandapani ◽  
Sathyan Soundararajan ◽  
Alberto Salmoiraghi ◽  
Shona Ginty ◽  
Tajnin Mitu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
North Wales ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Mental Health Unit ◽  
Inpatient Units

AimsTo ensure that the PPE guidance is strictly adhered to.To ensure that patient care is not compromised.To help us in areas of need in order to educate the staff regarding the techniques of PPE and thus ensure patient and staff safety and care during the pandemic.MethodNovel coronavirus 2019 was first described in December 2019 in Wuhan in China. Since those initial few cases, it has rapidly proliferated to a global pandemic, putting an inordinate amount of strain on healthcare systems around the world. We believe that the technique of donning and doffing if followed as per PHE guidelines would be of help in both preventing the infection and improve the care and safety of both patients and staff.This Audit includes both In-patient and Out-patient units in Psychiatric services across North Wales. Data were collected from 19 units out of 39. We observed covertly 325 staff members belonging to various cadres. Apart from the Donning and Doffing techniques, we also observed the availability of designated areas for this purpose and the availability of PPE as well.Data collection was by junior and senior doctors from various sites of the mental health unit in North Wales. A proforma was provided, the standards were based on PHE guidelines.ResultIt was noted that just about 50% of the staff followed donning as per guidance. Amongst all three sites, the Central team showed a better adherence with 85% of them donning PPE correctly. whereas only 22% adhered to donning in the West team.Only 21% of them managed to doff PPE as per guidance amongst all 3 centres in North Wales.It was also noted that there are no designated areas to Don and Doff in outpatient units. Staff, in general, seem to not adhere to the guidance of utilising a mask, especially when within 2 meters distance of other staff.ConclusionWe will be presenting the Audit at the regional meeting. After discussion with the infection prevention control team and Health and safety lead, we intend to improvise the wards with designated areas for donning and doffing. Teaching sessions for the staff in all three sites, reminders in various areas of the community mental health units and inpatient units.We are hoping that these recommendations will help us in achieving our aim of health and safety during this pandemic.

Reducing Restraint and Seclusion in an Acute Aged Person's Mental Health Unit

2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 498-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hemalatha Sivakumaran ◽  
Kuruvilla George ◽  
Ken Pfukwa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Behaviour Management ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Mental Health Unit ◽  
Inpatient Units

Objective: This paper describes how a significant reduction in restraint and seclusion rates was achieved in an acute aged person's mental health unit. Method: We analysed seclusion and restraint data in 2009. This was supplemented with a random audit of patient files and qualitative data obtained from a survey of nursing staff. We also obtained management views on changes in management practice. Results: Four major factors were found to reduce rates of restraints and seclusion. These included: (i) leadership and support from management in nursing practices, (ii) increased multidisciplinary team input, (iii) renovations to the inpatient setting, and (iv) changes in treatment-related factors such as collection of behaviour management history and improving documentation in patient files. Conclusion: Experiences such as this provide insights and practical strategies that can be applied in other aged inpatient units to reduce or eliminate rates of seclusion and restraints.

scholarly journals A qualitative exploration of the barriers to and facilitators of clozapine monitoring in a secure psychiatric setting

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Sarah Blagden ◽  
Jane Beenstock ◽  
Natalie Auld ◽  
Steve Noblett ◽  
Mark Limmer
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Psychiatric Setting ◽  
Important Barrier ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
Mental Health Unit

Aims and method To explore the beliefs and understanding of staff and patients at a secure mental health unit regarding clozapine monitoring, and to identify barriers to and facilitators of monitoring. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 17 staff members and six patients. Results Six key themes were identified. The key facilitator of effective monitoring was the motivation of staff to help patients to become independent and facilitate recovery. An important barrier was a lack of clarity around the roles of different staff groups in monitoring. Staff and patients widely supported the establishment of an in-patient clozapine clinic and perceived that it would prepare patients for discharge. Clinical implications An in-patient clozapine clinic is a robust mechanism for clozapine monitoring in secure settings. The barriers and facilitators identified here could be applied to other secure units to guide their systems of clozapine monitoring.

Descriptive Study of Adjustment Disorders in a Mental Health Unit.

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S607-S607
Author(s):  
L. González ◽  
B. Pecino ◽  
C. Gomez ◽  
M. Anibarro ◽  
C. Ortigosa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Care Physician ◽  
Psychiatric Evaluation ◽  
Adjustment Disorders ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Social Difficulties ◽  
Current Employment Status ◽  
Competing Interest ◽  
Mental Health Unit

IntroductionAdjustment disorders are a common psychiatric disorder in primary care and mental health units, with point prevalence estimates ranging from 0.9% to 2.3%. These disorders have been recently defined as a stress response syndrome in the fifth edition of the DSM, causing emotional and social difficulties and also a large economic burden on society.ObjectivesThe aim of this descriptional study was to analyse the socio-demographic characteristics and treatment of the patients diagnosed with adjustment disorders in the first visit in a mental health unit.MethodsThe study sample consisted of 128 patients admitted for a psychiatric consultation in a mental health unit in Alicante (Spain) from their primary care physician, between February and July 2016. Variables of gender, age, current employment status, diagnosis and treatment were measured. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software.ResultsThe data from 31 patients who were diagnosed with adjustment disorders meant a 24% of the sample. The median age was 47 years old in the adjustment disorders group. Among those with adjustment disorders, 61% were women, and 52% of them were unemployed. Almost 60% of them had at least one pychotropic prescription and only 22% were derived to psychology.ConclusionsAdjustment disorders are considered as an intermediate category between no mental disorder and affective disorders. Most authors recommend to start with a psychotherapeutic intervention. Despite starting with medication has not proved effectiveness in the studies, most of the patients had at least one psychotropic prescription before the psychiatric evaluation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Shedding Light on the Direct and Indirect Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lebanese Radiographers or Radiologic Technologists: A Crisis within Crises

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 362
Author(s):  
Rasha Itani ◽  
Mohammed Alnafea ◽  
Maya Tannoury ◽  
Souheil Hallit ◽  
Achraf Al Faraj
Keyword(s):  
Health And Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Knowledge Development ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Radiologic Technologists ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Workplace Conditions ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Effective Diagnosis

With the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the need for radiologic procedures is increasing for the effective diagnosis and follow-up of pulmonary diseases. There is an immense load on the radiographers’ shoulders to cope with all the challenges associated with the pandemic. However, amidst this crisis, Lebanese radiographers are also suffering from a socioeconomic crisis and record hyperinflation that have posed additional challenges. A cross-sectional study was conducted among registered Lebanese radiographers to assess the general, workplace conditions, health and safety, mental/psychologic, financial, and skill/knowledge development impacts. Despite applying an adapted safety protocol, institutions are neither providing free RT-PCR testing to their staff nor showing adequate support for infected staff members, thus causing distress about contracting the virus from the workplace. Aggravated by the deteriorating economic situation that affected the radiographers financially, they additionally suffer from severe occupational physical and mental burnout. Regardless of that, they used their free time during the lockdown for skill/knowledge development and have performed many recreational activities. This cross-sectional study highlighted the different ways the pandemic has impacted the radiographers: physically, psychologically, and financially. It aimed to shed light on what these frontline heroes are passing through in the midst of all these unprecedented crises.

Prevalence of housing needs among inpatients: a 1 year audit of housing needs in the acute mental health unit in Tallaght Hospital

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Cowman ◽  
P. Whitty
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychiatric Hospitals ◽  
Numerical Data ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Psychiatric Unit ◽  
Nursing Managers ◽  
Housing Needs ◽  
Delayed Discharges ◽  
Number Of Discharges ◽  
Mental Health Unit

ObjectiveThere is a dearth of information relating to the prevalence of housing needs among psychiatric in-patients in Ireland. Most of the information we have to date emerged as a result of attempts to plan for the closure of old psychiatric hospitals and inappropriate community residences. This study sought to identify the prevalence of housing needs among in-patients in the acute psychiatric unit in Tallaght Hospital.MethodsEach week, over a 12-month period, nursing managers and/or key nurses who knew the patients well were asked for numerical data. Information was collected on the numbers of in-patients with accommodation needs, number of delayed discharges due to accommodation needs and number of discharges to homeless accommodation in the previous week.ResultsOn average, 38% of in-patients had accommodation related needs at any one time. Most (98%) of delayed discharges had accommodation related needs. Delayed discharge in-patients with accommodation needs accounted for 28% of all inpatients and for 72% of all inpatients with accommodation related needs.ConclusionsAccommodation need among psychiatric in-patients is underreported. Housing need data should be routinely collected and effective interagency strategies developed to address housing needs.

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