1677 – A Basic Protocol To Manage Patients With Personality Disorders In The General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction

Patients presenting Personality Disorders and specially Borderline Personality Disorder are often admitted to Psychiatry Units in General Hospitals. Their impulsivity, affective disregulation and difficulties in interpersonal relations complicate the therapeutic atmosphere and cause problematic interactions with staff and other patients.

Objectives

To improve staff response to behavioural problems of patients presenting Personality Disorder in psychiatric units in the general hospital.

Aims

To develop a protocol to guide staff interventions with these patients.

Methods

After analyzing the patients flow from the emergency room to discharge and the current proposals in the literature on the subject, we create a protocol addressing more frequent problems using a task group composed of psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses involved in the daily care of these patients.

Results

A protocol is delineated guiding clinicians and staff on how to deal with assistance at the emergency room, entrance to the ward, initial contract and agreement, responses to specific problems during treatment and final discharge.

Conclusions

A protocol to guide the staff dealing with behavioural problem of patients with PD in the general hospital can be developed and provides clinicians with a therapeutic frame that structures the different treatment interventions.