Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Stephen Moorhead
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
It was our objective to compare the influence of patients' variables and circumstances of admission on the use of observation levels in acute psychiatric admissions in a British mental health unit. We performed a prospective case note survey of all acute psychiatric admissions during 28 consecutive days in June and July 1991 within a large teaching hospital and a traditional psychiatric hospital in Nottingham, England. We compared, the demographic characteristics of 88 consecutive admissions, admission procedures, clinical data, initial observation levels and changes in observation levels. As for the results, most patients were admitted outside of regular working hours (weekends or after 5 p.m.). Most patients were placed on intermediate (close) observation. The most important factor associated with the choice of observation level was the legal status of the patient (χ2 = 14.79, df = 2, p < 0.001, Fisher's exact test p < 0.0001). There were significantly fewer incidents (χ2 = 7.72, df= 2, p < 0.05, Fisher's exact test p < 0.01) on the highest (special) category of observation. The observation policy of the unit was not followed consistently. The number of factors contributing to the choice of observation levels reflects the complexity of the task facing the staff. Special observation is an effective method of managing acutely disturbed patients. The time of admission of most patients implies that more trained staff should be provided outside of regular hours. Clinical staff should be regularly trained in the use of observation procedures. It should be a regular topic in clinical audit.
Author(s): Langenbach M, Junaid O, Hodgson-Nwaefulu CM, Kennedy J, Moorhead SR, Ruiz P
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Year: 1999
Volume: 249
Issue: 1
Pages: 28-33
Print publication date: 01/02/1999
ISSN (print): 0940-1334
ISSN (electronic): 1433-8491
Publisher: Springer
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s004060050062
DOI: 10.1007/s004060050062
PubMed id: 10195341
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
