Quality Improvement Project to Improve the Implementation of Mental Health Act Code of Practice Guiding Principles and Patient Knowledge About MHA in In-Patient Psychiatric Unit

Abstract

Aims

To improve the efficiency of MHA documentation, patient education on MHA and implementation of guidelines of Code of Practice in in-patient unit. We also aimed to involve patients at some stages of the QI project to ensure they remain updated about the legal framework and associated documents and their voice remains central.

Methods

The QI Project was started after an initial audit was conducted which included MHA documentation on admission and during the length of stay, patients’ legal rights, section-17 leaves, capacity and treatment forms, tribunal reports, section-117 meetings and arrangement of independent managers hearings prior to Section Renewals. Using 5-Why QI methodology, the medical team and the MHA administrator reviewed the gaps in the initial audit. Using the QI “theory of change” model, three primary drivers of “Responsible Clinician and MHA Administration Liaison”, “Patient Education on MHA” and “Policies and Guidelines Implementation” were established. Secondary drivers for “RC and MHA Administration Liaison” required inputs from doctors, secretaries, nurses and MHA Admin. Change ideas of introducing weekly email template for required MHA actions, section paper scrutiny template made for approval by MHA Admin/ RC prior to patient's admission, Introduction of MHA relevant actions section in the morning handover and patient's review record form.

Secondary drivers and change ideas for “Patient Education on MHA” included discussions with MDT, easy- language information leaflets, discussion slots with pharmacists about medications before consenting for treatment forms, discussion slots with the key nurse and RC about MHA related decisions and going through statutory reports together to understand the nature and degree of illness, and risks necessitating the renewal of admission.

Secondary drivers and change ideas for “Policies and Guidelines Implementation” included teaching sessions for nurses on report writing, giving evidence at tribunals, and how to inform patients about legal rights, and liaison with medical management QI committee to ensure capacity and treatment certificates are up to date and filed in the medical folders. The initial audit tool was repeated on quarterly basis in addition to the PDSAs to measure results.

Results

Results showed 100% score in capacity assessments, treatment certificates and timely reports. There was still improvement needed in organising managers hearing prior to section renewal, likely section renewals left till late. A pre-and-post intervention score on patients’ knowledge of rights and MHA showed an improvement of 68%.

Conclusion

The QI-project helped in implementing MHA code of practice guiding principles and patients’ knowledge about MHA and their rights.