Search results for ‘Subject term:"mental health problems"’ Sort:
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Uptake and knowledge of voting rights by adult in-patients during the 2010 UK general election
- Authors:
- MCINTYRE James, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatrist (The), 36(4), April 2012, pp.126-130.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
A total of 152 in-patients resident in Westminster were identified across 12 general adult psychiatric wards in London. A clinician completed survey explored their knowledge about their rights and their attitudes to voting. Of the 84 eligible to vote (55% male, median age 39 years, 50% Caucasian), 38% had voted in the 2005 election. This compares with a turnout of 50.7% in Westminster, 61% nationally. Fifty five of the 84 expressed interested in voting in the 2010 election but only 36 had registered to vote. Overall eligible to vote psychiatric adult in-patients were half as likely to register as the general population and half as likely to vote if registered. Nine out of ten of those unregistered mentioned a lack of knowledge of their eligibility to vote or of the registration process. Long-stay patients were particularly disenfranchised. It seems that, despite a significant proportion of those with mental health problems remaining engaged with politics, many patients and staff are unaware of the new rules giving a greater proportion of in-patients the right to vote and the simplified processes. It is suggested that for future elections timely written information should be provided for both patients and staff. Once registered, patients may need further support to overcome practical and psychological barriers, and cast their vote.
Relation between bed use, social deprivation, and overall bed availability in acute adult psychiatric units, and alternative residential options: a cross sectional survey, one day census data, and staff interviews
- Authors:
- SHEPHERD G., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Medical Journal, 25.01.97, 1997, pp.262-266.
- Publisher:
- British Medical Association
Examines the relation between bed use, social deprivation, and overall bed availability in acute adult psychiatric units and explores the range of alternative residential options. Results found that bed occupancy was related to social deprivation and total availability of acute beds. However, approximately one quarter of current inpatients were judged not to need continuing admission. The major reasons preventing discharge were lack of suitable accommodation; inadequate domiciliary based hospital support; and lack of long term rehabilitation places. Concludes that shortage of beds is related to both social deprivation and the overall availability of acute beds. Recommends that patients currently inappropriately placed on acute admission wards should be relocated into more suitable accommodation, either in hospital or in the community.
A prospective multi-centre study of admissions to adolescent inpatient units
- Authors:
- WRATE R.M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adolescence, 17(3), June 1994, pp.221-237.
- Publisher:
- Academic Press
There has been little empirical investigation of adolescent psychiatric hospitalisation, with a reliance upon single-unit descriptions. Reports a study of 276 admissions to four specialised adolescent psychiatry inpatient units over a three-year period.
Severity of hospital-treated self-cutting and risk of future self-harm: a national registry study
- Authors:
- LARKIN Celine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 23(3), 2014, pp.115-119.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Risk assessment forms a key component in self-harm management. Among self-harm presentations generally, lethality of an index act is a poor predictor of future non-fatal repetition. However, no study has examined whether severity of an index self-cutting episode is associated with prospective repetition. Aims: To examine factors associated with severity of self-cutting and in particular the association between severity of self-cutting and prospective repetition of self-harm. Methods: All index self-cutting presentations to emergency departments in Ireland over 5 years were grouped by treatment received and compared on the basis of demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: Receiving more extensive medical treatment was associated with male gender, being aged more than 15 years, and not combining self-harm methods. Receiving less extensive treatment conferred a higher risk of prospective 12-month repetition, even after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. Repeat self-harm presentations by those with more severe self-cutting in an index act were less prevalent but were more likely to involve high-lethality methods of self-harm. Discussion: The results indicate that the already-elevated repetition risk among self-cutting patients is further increased for those receiving less extensive wound closure treatment. Severity of self-cutting might also affect suicide risk but such an association has yet to be examined. (Publisher abstract)
Older and wiser: findings from our unannounced visits to NHS continuing care wards
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
A report of visits to 16 continuing care wards across Scotland by the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland is presented. Some of the wards were also used to assess individuals’ care needs before they were moved to other care settings. Many of the people who are patients in these wards have dementia, but some have other types of mental illnesses and many have physical illnesses associated with old age. The visits were unannounced and took place in the early evening. Each ward was visited by 2 or 3 Commission staff who met with patients and any relatives or carers who were present. Information given to patients and relatives, the quality of the environment, privacy and dignity, assessment of care needs, awareness of national clinical guidelines, use of life histories, use of restraint, physical health care, and activities are discussed. Key messages for service providers are outlined.
Wrong side of beds
- Authors:
- LEE Robert, BRADLEY Derek
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 12.10.00, 2000, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
The key to taking the heat off mental health inpatient care may not be as simple as increasing bed numbers. The authors report on their recent findings.
Crisis in admission beds
- Authors:
- POWELL Robin B., HOLLANDER Doris, TOBIANSKY Robert I.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 167, December 1995, pp.765-769.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Reports on a study carried out to measure bed occupancy in Greater London's psychiatric units, in response to the apparent shortage of admission beds. The bed occupancy of London's 54 National Health Service (NHS) acute psychiatric units within 29 districts was ascertained by telephone on 16 bank holidays covering the period 1990-93. The mean occupancy level for all London over the 4 years was 97.54%. Bed a steady decline in the number of beds over the four-year period. Occupancy rates have become unacceptably high and require careful monitoring. Corrective action may be required in order to prevent a breakdown in services.
Provision of after care services for discharged psychiatric patients: a research report
- Author:
- HAWES Charles
- Publisher:
- Greenwich. Directorate of Social Services. Fieldwork Division
- Publication year:
- 1987
- Pagination:
- 47p.
- Place of publication:
- London
The utility of the clock drawing test in detection of delirium in elderly hospitalised patients
- Authors:
- ADAMIS Dimitrios, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 20(9), 2016, pp.981-986.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Delirium is common neuropsychiatric condition among elderly inpatients. The clock drawing test (CDT) has been used widely as bedside screening tool in assessing cognitive impairment in elderly people. Previous studies which evaluate its usefulness in delirium reported conflicting results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of CDT to detect delirium in elderly medical patients. Method: Prospective, observational, longitudinal study. All acute medical admissions 70 years of age and above were approached within 72 hours of admission for recruitment. Patients eligible for inclusion were assessed four times, twice weekly during admission. Assessment included Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Delirium Rating Scale (DRS-98R), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE) II, and CDT. Data was analysed using a linear mixed effect model. Results: Three hundred and twenty-three assessments with the CDT were performed on 200 subjects (50% male, mean age 81.13; standard deviation: 6.45). The overall rate of delirium (CAM+) during hospitalisation was 23%. There was a significant negative correlation between the CDT and DRS-R98 scores (Pearson correlation r = −0.618, p < 0.001), CDT and CAM (Spearman's rho = −0.402, p < 0.001) and CDT and total MoCA score (Pearson's r = 0.767, p < 0.001). However, when the data were analysed longitudinally controlling for all the factors, we found that cognitive function and age were significant factors associated with CDT scores (p < .0001): neither the presence nor the severity of delirium had an additional significant effect on the CDT. Conclusion: CDT score reflects cognitive impairment, independently of the presence or severity of delirium. The CDT is not a suitable test for delirium in hospitalised elderly patients. (Publisher abstract)
Efficacy of a triage system to reduce length of hospital stay
- Authors:
- WILLIAMS P., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 204(6), 2014, pp.480-485.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Background: Attempts have been made to improve the efficiency of in-patient acute care. A novel method has been the development of a ‘triage system’ in which patients are assessed on admission to develop plans for discharge or transfer to an in-patient ward. Aims: To compare a triage admission system with a traditional system. Method: Length of stay and readmission data for all admissions in a 1-year period between the two systems were compared using the participating trust’s anonymised records. Results: Despite reduced length of stay on the actual triage ward, the average length of stay was not reduced and the triage system did not lead to a greater number of readmissions. There was no significant difference in costs between the two systems. Conclusions:Based on the findings the authors cannot conclude that the triage system reduced length of stay, but can conclude that it does not increase the number of readmissions as some have feared. (Edited publisher abstract)