Publication

Monitoring and documentation of side effects from depot antipsychotic medication: an interdisciplinary audit of practice in a regional mental health service

Cleary, A.
Walsh, F.
Connolly, H.
Hays, V.
Oluwole, B.
Macken, E.
Dowling, Maura
Citation
CLEARY, A., WALSH, F., CONNOLLY, H., HAYS, V., OLUWOLE, B., MACKEN, E., & DOWLING, M. (2012). Monitoring and documentation of side effects from depot antipsychotic medication: an interdisciplinary audit of practice in a regional mental health service. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 19(5), 395-401. doi: doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2011.01807.x
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.
Funder
Publisher
Wiley
Publisher DOI
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2850.2011.01807.x
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Ireland