G Vernon Davies: unsung pioneer of old age psychiatry in Victoria

Objective: To provide a biography of G Vernon Davies who took up a career in old age psychiatry in 1955 at the age of 67 at Mont Park Hospital in an era when there few psychiatrists working in the field. Conclusion: In the 1950s and 1960s, Vernon Davies worked as an old age psychiatrist and published papers containing sensible practical advice informed by contemporary research and experience, broadly applicable to both primary and secondary care, presented in a compassionate and empathetic manner. His clinical research in old age psychiatry resulted in the first doctoral degree in psychiatry awarded at the University of Melbourne at the age of 79. Before commencing old age psychiatry, he served in the Australian Army Medical Corps as a Regimental Medical Officer and received the Distinguished Service Order. He spent 3 years as a medical missionary in the New Hebrides before settling at Wangaratta where he worked as a physician for over 30 years. He contributed to his local community in a broad range of activities. Vernon Davies is an Australian pioneer of old age psychiatry.

662 Establishing an Acute Extracorporeal Lithotripsy Service in The COVID 19 Pandemic

Introduction In England, 40% of patients who present with urinary tract stones as an emergency are actively managed with a procedure, in the majority a stent. This commits them to an inpatient stay, a general anaesthetic and further surgery at a later date. Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) offers a promising, outpatient alternative especially during the COVID19 pandemic. With COVID19 limiting our ability to provide urgent stone care, we assessed our institutions compliance with Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) guidelines- which recommends that 10% of patients with acute stones undergo ESWL. Method The audit comprised of 2 cycles; collecting data on the number patients that were admitted with renal colic over a 3-month period, and the percentage treated with ESWL. The first cycle collected data from February to April 2020, while the second cycle collected data from May 2020 to July 2020. Results The first cycle of the audit revealed that 0 patients were treated with acute ESWL. This required implementation of a referral pathway to Frimley Park Hospital who provided ESWL services. After implementation of a pathway, the 2nd cycle of the audit saw that of 32 patients, 6 patients were referred to Frimley for emergency ESWL (compliance rate: 19%). Conclusions With the implantation of a referral pathway, the percentage of patients that we referred for ESWL rose significantly from 0% to 19%, thereby meeting GIRFT guidelines. This audit re-iterates how the pandemic has shifted the way we provide urgent stone care with emergency ESWL in our local trust

1111 Shifting the Paradigm of Abscess Treatment – From Theatre to Clinic

Aim Treatment of skin and soft tissue abscesses forms a substantial part of the emergency general surgery workload. Abscesses account for approximately 2% of presentations to Accident and Emergency, with 0.9% of patients requiring surgical intervention. Incision and drainage is often performed in theatre and may necessitate admission to hospital, impacting bed space and theatre availability. This study aims to identify if the introduction of a clinic-based abscess service could reduce the number of abscess drainages in theatre without compromise to clinical outcomes. Method Retrospective data was collected for patients undergoing abscess treatment at Musgrove Park Hospital (Taunton) in September 2019. Subsequently, a Nurse-led abscess drainage pathway was initiated in Emergency Surgery Ambulatory Clinic (ESAC) encompassing initial assessment and drainage at the bedside. Prospective data was then collected for abscesses drained in theatre and ESAC during September 2020 and compared with data from 2019. Result 22 abscess drainages were performed in September 2019 vs 25 in September 2020. 8 cases were carried out in theatre during September 2020, with the rest being treated in ESAC. Of those who were treated in clinic (n = 17), admission was prevented in 16 patients. Readmission rates were similar between ESAC (16%) and theatre (18.1%). Conclusions A clinic-based abscess service is achievable and prevents unnecessary use of theatres and hospital admissions, with comparable re-presentation rates. A nurse led approach also relieves pressure on Doctors during busy surgical on calls. Nonetheless, a larger data set would be needed to consolidate the findings from this study.

926 Evaluating VTE Prophylaxis in Nephrectomy in Two Merseyside Hospitals

Aim The primary aim was to review current venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis prescribing against national and European guidelines at two hospitals in northwest England. A secondary aim was to standardise VTE prescribing practices. Method 3 standards were identified (NICE, BAUS and EUA) for VTE prophylaxis in nephrectomy. All simple and radical nephrectomies and nephroureterectomies were included. Open and laparoscopic cases were included. Data was collected from Royal Liverpool University Hospital (RLUH) and Arrowe Park Hospital (APH). Cases from surgical diaries between January 2019 to January 2020 were identified and compared to the 3 standards. 49 cases were identified at RLUH and 83 at APH Results At APH, 77/83 (92.7%) cases received inpatient LMWH. The remaining 6 were already on a DOAC. 98.7% received inpatient mechanical VTE prophylaxis. 85.5% of patients received extended VTE prophylaxis with no documented indication, and only 20% of open nephrectomies received 28 days LMWH. At RLUH 44/49 cases (89.7%) received inpatient LMWH. All 5 patients who did not had a documented reason why. 100% of inpatients at received inpatient mechanical VTE prophylaxis. 4 patients underwent open nephrectomy, however none of these received 28-day extended LMWH prophylaxis. Conclusions Comparing guidelines with local data reveals that prescribing practice for both in- and outpatient LMWH is variable and often is based on personal preferences. The above results have been presented locally at each institution and practice standardised with re-audit ongoing.

Telephone-based consultation in an acute eye clinic service: A patient satisfaction survey

Objectives: The coronavirus pandemic has forced healthcare staff across all medical specialties to adapt new and different ways of working. A new approach has been set up in the Acute Referral Clinic (ARC) at Musgrove Park Hospital and a survey has been conducted to measure the impact of the new method on patient and healthcare professionals’ satisfaction with the new service. Methods: A telephone-based consultation was introduced in ARC at Musgrove Park Hospital in March 2020 and patients were instructed to fill out a questionnaire containing eight items using a Likert Scale 1 (‘very poor/disagree’) to 4 (‘very good/strongly agree’) plus two boxes for open positive and negative comments respectively. Likewise a questionnaire was designed in order to assess the healthcare professionals’ satisfaction using the new approach. Data collection took place over a two month period between the end of March 2020 and end of May 2020. The data underwent quality control and was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: Patient responses illustrated high satisfaction scores with an overall rating of very good (89.4%). The healthcare professionals’ rating of the service was good (28.6% – ‘very good/strongly agree’, 57.1% – ‘good/agree’). The safety rating of the new approach was overall rated ‘very good’ with 90.4% and 71.4% of patients and healthcare professionals respectively. Conclusions: The telephone consultations introduced in the wake of COVID-19 are well accepted by both patients and doctors. There are some limitations of the approach, foremost being consultation time and clinic space but these do not outweigh the general benefit of this format amidst a pandemic setting.

An assessment of referrals to a liaison psychiatry team within a large district general hospital – Completing the Cycle

AimsIn 2019 members of the Liaison Psychiatry Department at Frimley Park Hospital completed an audit of the referrals to the service1. The quality of referrals was found to be highly variable, for example only 28% included a risk assessment and frequently omitted both past psychiatric and past medical histories. As such an intervention was designed involving three parts;Multidisciplinary education of staffNew and more readily available referral guidelinesNew referral formThis re-audit seeks to complete the audit cycle and assess the impact of the intervention.MethodThe first 50 referrals to the Liaison Psychiatry Department of Frimley Park Hospital during February 2021 were assessed using the following criteria:Staff type, referral source, physically fit for assessment, physical cause ruled out, drugs / alcohol involved, appropriate reason for referral, clinical question asked, did final diagnosis match referral diagnosis, risk assessment included, information about admission included, past psychiatric history included and past medical history included.The percentage of referrals received for each criterion (e.g. the percentage with a risk assessment completed) was then derived from the data.ResultThere has been a marked improvement in a variety of areas. The percentage of referrals containing a risk assessment increased from 28% to 96%. This is likely due to the risk box now requiring an entry prior to being able to submit the referral form. Similarly the percentage containing past psychiatric history has risen from 38.8% to 90%. Previously 46.2% of referrals contained a working diagnosis which was not consistent with the clinical picture, but again this has improved, with 60% of initial diagnoses now matching the final outcome. There are however areas for improvement. Only 14% of referrals contained a specific clinical question, which is lower than the 20% achieved previously. This may be because the new referral form does not provide a specific free text box for this.ConclusionThe intervention yielded a marked improvement in the quality of referrals received by the Liaison Psychiatry Department at Frimley Park Hospital, and it is the intention to continue to use the current process. Based on the new results we will look to make small adjustments, for example adding a free text box for a specific clinical question and emphasising the importance of this information.

Clinical Audit cycle of Mental Health Act (MHA) documentation for patients on section 3 staying 90 days and over in adult wards at Roseberry park hospital

AimsTo complete the audit cycle on compliance of MHA documentation (including MCA1 form at admission and 3 months, T2 form, SOAD request and T3 form authorization) on patients on section 3 staying 90 days and over in adult wards at Roseberry park hospitalMethodIn the initial audit, we collected data from all inpatients on section 3 staying 90 days and over, in Adult acute and rehab wards on Roseberry park hospital between the time period 28/10/19–04/11/19. Using a designated audit data collection tool, information was gathered from each patient's electronic record pertaining to the standards. The same method was used in re-audit where data were collected from all inpatients on section 3 staying 90 days and over in Adult acute wards on Roseberry park hospital between the time period 04/11/20–11/11/20. To note, the rehab ward at Roseberry park hospital was closed in Feb 2020. The data were analysed by the project lead.ResultIn the initial audit, 16 patients records were identified as meeting criteria,out of these 7 (44%) patients were on acute wards and 9 (56%) at rehab ward. Where as in re-audit 5 patients records were identified as meeting criteria and all were on acute wards. Days in Hospital - Ranged from 120 days to 664 days, average being 295 days and median of 186 days in the initial audit compared to121 days to 290 days, average being 170 days and median of 150 days in the reaudit. Percentage of patients records with documented capacity assessment at admission and 3 months were same at 80% and 60% respectively in both audits.T2 form was completed in all consenting patients in both audits. SOAD request sent was recorded in only 1 (25%) patient in the reaudit, which was lower than the initial audit, where in SOAD request was sent in 7 (78%) patients but recorded in 5 (56%) of them. For patients lacking capacity, T3 form was documented only in 4 (45%) patients but T3 form authorisation was discussed with patient and evidenced in case notes in only 1(11%) case in the initial audit, where as in reaudit T3 form was not documented or discussed for any patient.ConclusionThere needs to be improvement in MHA documentation for detained patients.

Capacity and consent to treatment – how well did we do?

AimsAn audit on capacity assessment and consent to treatment on inpatient visits to Atherleigh Park Hospital was performed using the Mental Health Act Code of Practice as a framework. Six standards were evaluated:1) documentation of capacity assessment in patient care records2) documentation of patients who display a lack of capacity3) completion of a Section 58 and/or 62 for detained patients4) documentation of medicines on T2/T3 form and if they match with the patient's prescription chart5) evidence of medication concordance and monitoring of adverse side effects6) patient education on medicines prescribed for themMethodInclusion criteria included patients who were detained under Sections 2, 3 and informal admissions, who were admitted for 72 hours or more, between October and December 2019. This gave a total sample size of 75. Data were collected by looking at patients’ care records and if applicable, their Section paperwork to identify any documentations related to the standards evaluated as above. Data collected were transcribed to a web link, downloaded and analysed.ResultIn standard 1), it was found that 77% of the capacity assessment and consent to treatment forms were recorded in patient care records. Of these, 100% of were completed by a medic and 99% of all sections in the form were completed. However, only 57% of patients were re-assessed when their capacity and consent changed during admission. In standards 2), 3) and 4), documentation of patients who lacked capacity, completion of a Section 58 or 62 form and charting of medications on the T2/T3 forms were fully compliant. In standards 5) and 6), 76% of medication concordance were documented in patients’ records. Only 39% of adverse effects from medications were documented but monitoring compliance was 100%. Medication counselling was done infrequently, with 47% of patients given a leaflet and 28% educated on their side effects.ConclusionAction plans were identified. Firstly, to link the capacity assessment form with patient electronic ward round notes to ensure clinicians complete it at the end of a review. In order to monitor adverse effects from medications, physical examination, blood tests and ECG are to be done following a new prescription, and to be repeated if indicated. Information leaflets on common psychiatric medications are to be made readily available for patients. The findings from this service evaluation and the actions plans were shared with doctors. A re-audit is vital to re-evaluate the hospital's compliance.

Clinical audit of the inclusion of the Lester Tool details in discharge documents at Foss Park Hospital, York

AimsPatients with serious mental health illnesses die on average 15–20 years before the rest of the general population. Anti-psychotic medication, lifestyle and difficulty accessing healthcare services all have a detrimental effect on their life expectancy. To improve outcomes for these patients the Lester Tool; a method to assess the cardiovascular health of patients and implement change, was developed. Including the Lester Tool information in discharge letters allows transfer of information to other care providers (mainly GP's) who can implement and monitor any interventions made, improving outcomes for our patients. With this in mind, discharge documents should contain all of the information listed in the Lester Tool.We aimed to check if 100% of data required by the Lester Tool is included in discharge documents of the inpatients at Foss Park Hospital.Method20 patients from each of the male and female wards at Foss Park hospital, discharged in September or October 2020, were identified. A review of the discharge documents established whether the smoking status, BMI, ECG, blood pressure and blood results of each patient were recorded.ResultOf the 40 discharges, none had 100% compliance. On average across both wards; only 23% of the Lester tool information was included in the documents. On the female ward, 40% had none of data recorded, while on the male ward, 15% had none of the data recorded. Across both wards, not a single patient had details about their cholesterol ratio recorded, only 50% of BMI's were recorded and only 27% had a smoking status included.ConclusionOur results have shown that compliance with the Lester Tool falls short of what is expected. As a result, information about the physical health of our patients is not being communicated effectively with other care providers. This in turn can prevent patients being offered interventions needed to improve their cardiovascular health.Identifying this shortcoming in the transfer of information will allow us to educate the staff in our organisation and ensure that all the necessary physical health details will be included in future discharge documents. The result being improved outcomes and longer life expectancy of patients with serious mental illnesses, satisfying the purpose of the Lester Tool.