P-88 - Intravenous drug users (IDUs) - has monitoring of physical health improved?

Abstract

Introduction Drug users have an increased rate of developing physical health problems, such as Hepatitis, HIV, skin infection, tuberculosis, lymphatic system, and tissue and vein damage. The nature of drug use makes it difficult to integrate IV drug users into a managed care system and monitoring of their physical health is difficult to achieve. An audit was conducted in a suburban population in the west midland region of the United Kingdom, where intravenous drug use is prevalent. The first part of the audit highlighted that despite increased morbidity in this population, physical health monitoring was incomplete, inaccurate and sometimes completely lacking. Recommendations were made, which included attaching a pro-forma to the assessment form, to enhance accurate and complete documentation of physical health monitoring. Aims To determine whether the recommendations are being followed. To re-establish the detection rate of medical co morbidity in IDUs. Methods 30 injecting drug users have randomly been selected from the computer database. Case notes of these patients are being checked for quality of documentation, and whether the pro-forma for physical health monitoring is being completed. Drug workers will be contacted to verify the findings. Results Previous results have shown that 80% of patients had some documentation, 20% had good quality health documentation and 60% was found to meet standards. We will expect to see an improvement in these figures, and 100% completion of the pro-formas. Conclusions Physical health monitoring is vital in this patient population and means to improve this should be employed globally.