Aims and methodWe assessed venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk, barriers to prescribing VTE prophylaxis and completion of VTE risk assessment in psychiatric in-patients. This was a cross-sectional study conducted across three centres. We used the UK Department of Health VTE risk assessment tool which had been adapted for psychiatric patients.ResultsOf the 470 patients assessed, 144 (30.6%) were at increased risk of VTE. Patients on old age wards were more likely to be at increased risk than those on general adult wards (odds ratio = 2.26, 95% CI 1.51–3.37). Of those at higher risk of VTE, auditors recorded concerns about prescribing prophylaxis in 70 patients (14.9%). Only 20 (4.3%) patients had a completed risk assessment.Clinical implicationsMental health in-patients are likely to be at increased risk of VTE. VTE risk assessment is not currently embedded in psychiatric in-patient care. There is a need for guidance specific to this population.
IntroductionThe UK has longstanding problems with psychiatry recruitment. Various initiatives aim to improve psychiatry's image among medical students, but involve research and none are student-led. Providing opportunities to take part in psychiatry research and quality improvement could increase the number of students who choose to enter the speciality.ObjectivesWe have developed the student psychiatry audit and research collaborative (SPARC), a student-led initiative for nationwide collaboration in high-quality research and audits.MethodsOur model is inspired by the success of the UK Student audit and research in surgery (STARSurg). Area teams, located in medical schools, take part in multi-centre projects. The area teams consist of medical students, who have the main responsibility for collecting data; a junior doctor, to supervise the process; and a consultant, with overall responsibility for patient care. The data collected centrally and analysed by a team of medical students and doctors. Student leads from each site are named authors on resulting papers. All other students are acknowledged and are able to present the work.ResultsWe have completed our first audits in Cardiff and London; other sites will return data in 2017. Student feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction with the project and interest in psychiatry as a future career.ConclusionsThis initiative aims to tackle the recruitment problems in psychiatry by giving students a chance to take part in high quality research and audits.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
IntroductionVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially fatal condition. Hospital-associated VTE leads to more than 25,000 deaths per year in the UK. Therefore identification of at-risk patients is crucial. Psychiatric in-patients have unique factors which may affect their risk of VTE (antipsychotic prescription, restraint) however there are currently no UK guidelines which specifically address VTE risk in this population.ObjectivesWe assessed VTE risk among psychiatric inpatients in Cardiff and Vale university health board, Wales, UK, and whether proformas currently provided for VTE risk assessment were being completed.MethodsAll acute adult in-patient and old age psychiatric wards were assessed by a team of medical students and a junior doctor over three days. We used the UK department of health VTE risk assessment tool which was adapted to include factors specific for psychiatric patients. We also assessed if there were concerns about prescribing VTE prophylaxis (compression stockings or anticoagulants), because of a history of self-harm or ligature use.ResultsOf the 145 patients included, 0% had a completed VTE risk assessment form. We found 38.6% to be at an increased risk of VTE and there were concerns about prescribing VTE prophylaxis in 31% of patients.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that VTE risk assessment is not being carried out on psychiatric wards. Staff education is needed to improve awareness of VTE. Specific guidance for this population is needed due to the presence of unique risk factors in psychiatric in-patients and concerns regarding VTE prophylaxis.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
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