Completed Audit of Physical Health Status of Patients with Severe Mental Illness in a Medium Secure Forensic Psychiatric Rehab Ward

Abstract

Aim:

An audit was conducted in September 2006 to determine whether the Physical health monitoring of patients on anti-psychotic medication was concurrent with the national guidelines.

This audit done in Dec 07 aimed to ascertain to what extent the recommendations were implemented and followed, thereby completing the audit cycle.

Methods:

The Audit was conducted in a 15 bedded medium secure forensic rehab ward.

As there was a lack of recording of the physical health status a monitoring sheet was introduced in the notes after the first audit. Age, Weight, Height, Smoking status, Blood Pressure, Diabetic Status, Blood Lipid Profile, ECG and the Medication regimen were noted for each of the patient.

Results:

Conclusion:

100% physical health monitoring was achieved and improvements in weight, CV risk, Total/HDL cholesterol ratio was noted 4 cases of significant QT prolongation and another 3 cases of prolactin elevation were detected because of the introduction of monitoring.