Electronic Letters to:
|
|
eLetters: Electronic letters published:
-
![[Read eLetter]](/icons/misc/sectionDOWN.gif)
When is an Audit not an Audit?
- Rajesh Alex, Dr Eric Avevor,Dr M O'Leary,Dr Evelyn Avevor (16 June 2008)
-
When is an Audit not an Audit?
- Rajesh Alex, Dr Eric Avevor,Dr M O'Leary,Dr Evelyn Avevor (16 June 2008)
-
Audit Fidelity
- Alexis R Bowers (26 June 2008)
|
|
|||
|
Rajesh Alex, Speciality Trainee Psychiatry Opal Centre,St Catherines Tickhill Road,Balby,Doncaster,DN4 8QN, Dr Eric Avevor,Dr M O'Leary,Dr Evelyn Avevor
Send letter to journal:
rajeshka_123{at}yahoo.com Rajesh Alex, et al.
|
The paper by D. Morgan et al (Psych Bulletin May 2008,32,174-177), which looked at the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in community and inpatients, appears to be the first of its kind in UK. It came out with very interesting findings relevant to our clinical practice. This paper was presented in our local journal club and it aroused a lot of discussions. Even though the paper was described as an audit it does not seems to fulfil the criteria for an audit. The aim of the study was to calculate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adults prescribed Clozapine in the community and long-stay in-patient populations. This does not fall within the remit of an audit. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) describes audit as “a quality improvement process that aims to improve patient care and outcomes by carrying out a systematic review and implementing change.” An audit measures what is actually happening. Thus it is difficult to appreciate how such a study could be labelled as an audit. References 1.Audit of metabolic syndrome in adults prescribed Clozapine in community and long-stay in-patient populations. D Morgan et al, Psych Bulletin May 2008,32,174-177. 2.National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Principles of Best Practice in clinical audit, March 2002. Dr Rajesh Alex Speciality Trainee year-3 Psychiatry Opal Centre,St Catherine's Hospital Tickhill road Doncaster DN4 8QN email:rajesh.alex@rdash.nhs.uk Dr Eric Avevor, Consultant Psychiatrist Opal Centre,St Catherine's Hospital Tickhill road Doncaster DN4 8QN email:eric.avevor@rdash.nhs.uk Dr Maureen O'Leary, Consultant Psychiatrist Opal Centre,St Catherine's Hospital Tickhill road Doncaster DN4 8QN email:andrea.taylor@rdash.nhs.uk Dr Evelyn Avevor Speciality Trainee year-3 Macclesfield District General Hospital Victoria Road Macclesfield Cheshire email:eavevor@tiscali.co.uk |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Rajesh Alex, Speciality Trainee Psychiatry Opal Centre,St Catherines Tickhill Road,Balby,Doncaster,DN4 8QN, Dr Eric Avevor,Dr M O'Leary,Dr Evelyn Avevor
Send letter to journal:
rajeshka_123{at}yahoo.com Rajesh Alex, et al.
|
The paper by D. Morgan et al (Psych Bulletin May 2008,32,174-177), which looked at the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in community and inpatients, appears to be the first of its kind in UK. It came out with very interesting findings relevant to our clinical practice. This paper was presented in our local journal club and it aroused a lot of discussions. Even though the paper was described as an audit it does not seems to fulfil the criteria for an audit. The aim of the study was to calculate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adults prescribed Clozapine in the community and long-stay in-patient populations. This does not fall within the remit of an audit. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) describes audit as “a quality improvement process that aims to improve patient care and outcomes by carrying out a systematic review and implementing change.” An audit measures what is actually happening. Thus it is difficult to appreciate how such a study could be labelled as an audit. References 1.Audit of metabolic syndrome in adults prescribed Clozapine in community and long-stay in-patient populations. D Morgan et al, Psych Bulletin May 2008,32,174-177. 2.National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Principles of Best Practice in clinical audit, March 2002. Dr Rajesh Alex Speciality Trainee year-3 Psychiatry Opal Centre,St Catherine's Hospital Tickhill road Doncaster DN4 8QN email:rajesh.alex@rdash.nhs.uk Dr Eric Avevor, Consultant Psychiatrist Opal Centre,St Catherine's Hospital Tickhill road Doncaster DN4 8QN email:eric.avevor@rdash.nhs.uk Dr Maureen O'Leary, Consultant Psychiatrist Opal Centre,St Catherine's Hospital Tickhill road Doncaster DN4 8QN email:andrea.taylor@rdash.nhs.uk Dr Evelyn Avevor Speciality Trainee year-3 Macclesfield District General Hospital Victoria Road Macclesfield Cheshire email:eavevor@tiscali.co.uk |
|||
|
|
|||
|
Alexis R Bowers, Specialist Registrar in Old Age Psychiatry Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Send letter to journal:
dralexisbowers{at}hotmail.com Alexis R Bowers
|
Morgan et al‘s (Psychiatric Bulletin, May 2008, 32, 174-177) audit regarding the use of clozapine raises a number of interesting points regarding the prescription and ongoing monitoring of patients taking these agents. Unfortunately the term ‘audit’ is used loosely here and your readers could be forgiven for thinking that an audit is just a ‘survey’ from this article. Clinical audit is a quality improvement process that aims to improve patient care and outcomes by carrying out a systematic review and implementing change. An audit consists of an initial evaluation of a practice area against an agreed standard. Results are then fed back and a further survey is performed to see if changes in practice have resulted in the standards being met (audit cycle). This study therefore represents a service evaluation rather than a clinical audit. The only exception would be if the initial evaluation showed 100% concordance with best practice standards and therefore no change would be necessary. Trainees need to be aware that audit usually involves a change in practice rather than just reporting practice. Dr Alexis Bowers MBBS MRCPsych Specialist Registrar in General Adult Psychiatry, Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust, Park Royal Centre for Mental Health , Central Way, London, NW10 7NS. Email: dralexisbowers@hotmail.com Declaration of interest: None 1.Audit of metabolic syndrome in adults prescribed Clozapine in community and long-stay in-patient populations. D Morgan et al, Psych Bulletin May 2008,32,174-177 |
|||