EPA-1223 – An evaluation of the effectiveness of a geriatric liaison psychiatry service in an acute district general hospital in the UK

Abstract

Background 60% of older people admitted to general hospital will have or develop a mental disorder (Department of Health, 2001). Mental disorder in this population is an independent predictor of poor outcome and is associated with increased mortality, greater length of stay, loss of independent function and higher rates of institutionalisation (The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2005). Aims & Objectives To examine if the liaison psychiatric intervention has improved the outcome for the patients and to introduce measures to improve quality, safety and efficiency within the service practice in the future Method A total of 128 patients were referred to the geriatric liaison psychiatry service in a 6 months period between from an acute general hospital .50 patients were randomly selected from these referrals. Data's were collected from both the case notes as well as clinical information system using an audit data collection tool. Results Majority (62%) were seen within 24 hours and 82% were seen within 48 hours. The main diagnosis was depression closely followed by dementia. Only a small minority (8%) of the patient needed inpatient psychiatric admission. 50% of the patients were discharged within a week of the Liaison assessment and majority of the cases (70%) patients were able to go back home. Conclusion Identification of mental illness in the acute hospital settings remains low. In spite of dementia being extremely common diagnosis, very few did appear to have been referred to the specialist memory service. Liaison Psychiatry intervention possibly improved outcomes for patients and the services.