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Audit of in-patient prescription and administration records on acute psychogeriatric wards in a teaching hospital

West Midlands Rotational Training Scheme, South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital

Ruth Saffrey, Clinical Audit Officer

Mental Health Services for Older Adults

Elaine Jones, Senior Pharmacist and Peter Bentham, Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry

South Birmingham Mental Health NHS Trust and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, University of Birmingham

Correspondence: For correspondence: Coventry Healthcare NHS Trust, The Caludon Centre, Clifford Bridge Road, Walsgrave, Coventry CV2 2TE

AIMS AND METHOD

An audit of in-patient prescription and administration records on acute psychogeriatric wards in a teaching hospital measured the extent of conformity to NHS trust drug policy and improvements following specific interventions. The audit also measured doctors' knowledge of the trust drug policy. Prescription cards of all patients present on the wards were re-audited after 12 months.

RESULTS

The audit identified important shortcomings in prescription writing, recording and policy awareness. A targeted series of interventions resulted in significant improvements in some of these areas.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Continuous evaluation and feedback via audit can reduce omissions in prescription writing and recording.