title: Monitoring and documentation of side effects from depot antipsychotic medication: an interdisciplinary audit of practice in a regional mental health service.
abstract: This audit reviewed current practice within a rural mental health service area on the monitoring and documentation of side effects of antipsychotic depot medication. A sample of 60 case files, care plans and prescriptions were audited, which is 31% of the total number of service users receiving depot injections in the mental health service region (n= 181). The sample audited had a range of diagnoses, including: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar affective disorder, depression, alcoholic hallucinosis and autism. The audit results revealed that most service users had an annual documented medical review and a documented prescription. However, only five (8%) case notes examined had documentation recorded describing the condition of the injection site, and alternation of the injection site was recorded in only 28 (47%) case notes. No case notes examined had written consent to commence treatment recorded. In 57 (95%) of case notes, no documentation of recorded information on the depot and on side effects was given. The failure to monitor and record some blood tests was partly attributed to a lack of clarity regarding whose responsibility it was. A standardized checklist has been developed as a result of the audit and this will be introduced by all teams across the service.
authors: East Galway Catchment Galway Mental Health Services, St Brigids Hospital, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway, Ireland. anneg.cleary@hse.ie
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Cleary
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Walsh
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Connolly
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Hays
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Oluwole
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Macken
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Dowling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004282:Documentation; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019035:Rural Health Services
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations