Acute Inpatient Unit Research Articles

Family violence screening and disclosure in a large metropolitan hospital: A health service users’ survey

Objectives:Assisting patients who are experiencing family violence is an important issue for health services. Rates of screening for family violence in general hospital settings in Australia are unclear. This study was conducted to obtain data on hospital family violence screening rates and health service users’ perceptions of the screening process, in a large metropolitan hospital in Australia.Methods:Clients from the clinical caseloads of social work and psychology staff were invited to participate in a tablet administered, online survey of their family violence screening experiences, within the health service.Results:A total of 59 surveys were completed by hospital users, who had been treated in areas including the emergency department, acute inpatient wards, sub-acute and rehabilitation units, and outpatient clinics. Less than half the sample reported being screened for family violence at the health service. One-quarter of the respondents reported disclosing family violence concerns, with one-fifth wanting to disclose, but not feeling comfortable to do so. The majority of respondents who disclosed family violence felt supported by the response of the staff member and were provided with information they found helpful. However, further work could be done to improve screening rates, environmental and organizational factors to promote users feeling comfortable to disclose, and staff responses to disclosures.Conclusion:The results of the survey will be used to inform the development of a hospital-wide family violence training initiative aimed to improve staff knowledge, confidence, rates of screening, and clinical responses to family violence.

Reducing the Risk of Indwelling Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Female Patients by Implementing an Alternative Female External Urinary Collection Device: A Quality Improvement Project.

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) risk for female patients by implementing a female external urinary collection (FEUC) device with suction as an alternative to indwelling catheter (IDC). Participants were female patients admitted to our 386-bed community hospital in Southern California and who required urinary management. We implemented a comprehensive CAUTI prevention program in 2014 that was in place for 1.5 years before this project was started. The CAUTI prevention program was based on the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention's CAUTI prevention recommendations. To supplement our CAUTI prevention efforts in our female patients, we implemented the FEUC device in our intensive care, telemetry, medical-surgical, orthopedic, and acute rehabilitations inpatient care units. Indwelling catheter use and CAUTI cases were identified by our Infection Prevention department. Prior to introduction of the FEUC device, in 2015, the baseline female IDC utilization rate was 31.7% (7181 IDC device-days/22,656 patient-days) and the female CAUTI rate was 1.11 (8 cases/7181 IDC device-days) per 1000 days. Following introduction of the device, both rates declined. In 2016, the IDC utilization rate was 29.7% (P = .000) and the CAUTI rate was 0% (P =.005). We continued to observe a reduction in 2017 IDC utilization rates of 26% (P = .000); the 2017 CAUTI rate of 0.90 was not significantly different to our prior year rate (P = .726). We found that the introduction of the FEUC device reduced the risk for CAUTI. We will continue to prioritize the use of external devices for urinary management to help reduce the risk of our patients developing CAUTI.

Indian Society for Study of Pain, Cancer Pain Special Interest Group Guidelines on Palliative Care Aspects in Cancer Pain Management.

The Indian Society for Study of Pain (ISSP), Cancer Pain Special Interest Group guidelines on palliative care aspects in cancer pain in adults provide a structured, stepwise approach which will help to improve the management of cancer pain and to provide the patients with a minimally acceptable quality of life. The guidelines have been developed based on the available literature and evidence, to suit the needs, patient population, and situations in India. A questionnaire based on the key elements of each sub draft addressing certain inconclusive areas where evidence was lacking was made available on the ISSP website and circulated by E-mail to all the ISSP and Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC) members. In a cancer care setting, approaches toward managing pain vary between ambulatory setting, home care setting, acute inpatient setting, and end-of-life care in hospice setting. We aim to expound the cancer pain management approaches in these settings. In an ambulatory palliative care setting, the WHO analgesic step ladder is used for cancer pain management. The patients with cancer pain require admission for acute inpatient palliative care unit for poorly controlled pain in ambulatory and home care settings, rapid opioid titration, titration of difficult drugs such as methadone, acute pain crisis, pain neuromodulation, and pain interventions. In a palliative home care setting, the cancer pain is usually assessed and managed by nurses and primary physicians with a limited input from the specialist physicians. In patients with cancer at the end of life, the pain should be assessed at least once a day. Moreover, physicians should be trained in assessing patients with pain who are unable to verbalize or have cognitive impairment.

The prevalence of catatonic syndrome in acute psychiatric wards.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine the prevalence of the catatonic syndrome in a cohort of patients admitted to acute psychiatric units in Hungary. Patients admitted to the acute inpatient unit of the Center of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, SzentIstván and SzentLászló Hospitals in a 4-month period were screened for catatonic signs and symptoms. Catatonic signs/symptoms were scored according to both the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale (BFCRS). Clinical diagnoses were established using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Disorders (SCID), while cognitive performance was estimated with the Clock Drawing Test and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). During the study period, 342 patients were admitted to the above-mentioned acute inpatient units. The prevalence figures for the catatonic syndrome were 8.55% and 5.02% according to the BFCRS and the DSM-5, respectively. The prevalence of catatonic syndrome in an acute inpatient setting is within the broad range of figures reported in the literature. The difference between the standardized assessment (BFCRS) and routine clinical judgment (DSM-5) is noteworthy and suggests that a significant minority of catatonic patients might not be identified in clinical practice. As acute catatonia can be effectively treated, and early treatment could prevent potentially lifethreatening complications, recognition of catatonic symptoms is vitally important.

Finding ways together: Researching with Aboriginal women in a mental health setting

IntroductionThis paper describes the collaborative development of a method and process for transcultural qualitative enquiry, undertaken as the second phase of a mixed methods PhD research project. AimTo develop an ethical, sensitive and culturally secure research method and process with which to explore the experiences of Aboriginal women in an acute mental health inpatient unit, a potentially vulnerable research population. To invite Aboriginal women to share their stories and their experiences as current inpatients, or as carers, visitors and health service providers. MethodA local Aboriginal Reference Group (ARG) was constituted and collaborated with the first author in developing working strategies and tools. Members of the ARG guided all aspects of the research process, acted as primary agents for information-giving, informed consent and interview processes, and were co-authors of relevant publications. ResultsThe method described here fostered trust and cultural respect, and embedded informed consent as an ongoing process. Eleven Aboriginal women inpatients undertook a single semi-structured interview prior to discharge from the inpatient unit. Five ARG members also gave interviews, adding insights from their ‘insider-outsider’ perspectives. A rich dataset of personal experience was made available for analysis. ConclusionsThe process devised for this study integrated principles of cultural respect and collaboration with an ongoing process of informed consent. By integrating these principles into research initiatives and evidence-based practice, and by ensuring familiarity with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures, non-Aboriginal mental health nurses can enhance transcultural mental health service delivery in an acute setting.

Health professionals\u2019 perceptions of how gender sensitive care is enacted across acute psychiatric inpatient units for women who are survivors of sexual violence

BackgroundSexual violence is a global public health issue. It is a form of gender-based violence commonly experienced by women accessing mental health services. The biomedical model has been the dominant model of care in acute psychiatric units, however, there has been a global movement towards more gender-sensitive and trauma-informed models. To date, only a small amount of research has focused on evaluating these models of care and health professionals’ experiences of providing this care. The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of healthcare professionals’ perceptions of how Gender Sensitive Care (GSC) is enacted across acute psychiatric inpatient units for women who are survivors of sexual violence.MethodsThis study used case study methodology and the Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) conceptual framework. NPT is a practical framework that can be used to evaluate the implementation of complex models of care in health settings. It included semi-structured interviews with 40 health professionals, document and policy reviews, and observations from four psychiatric inpatient units within a large Australian public mental health organisation. Data were examined using thematic and content analysis.ResultsThemes were developed under the four NPT core constructs; 1) Understanding GSC in acute psychiatric units: “Without the corridors there’s not a lot we can do”, 2) Engagement and Commitment to GSC in acute psychiatric units: “There are a few of us who have that gender sensitive lens”, 3) Organising, relating and involvement in GSC: “It’s band aid stuff”, 4) Monitoring and Evaluation of GSC in acute psychiatric units: “We are not perfect, we have to receive that feedback”.DiscussionMany health professionals held a simplistic understanding of GSC and avoided the responsibility of implementing it. Additionally, the competing demands of the biomedical model and a lack of appraisal has resulted in an inconsistent enactment of GSC.ConclusionsHealth professionals in this study enacted GSC to varying levels. Our findings suggest the need to address each NPT construct comprehensively to adequately implement GSC.

Health provider and service-user experiences of sensory modulation rooms in an acute inpatient psychiatry setting.

BackgroundSensory modulation rooms (SMRs) are therapeutic spaces that use sensory modulation concepts and strategies to assist service users to self-regulate and modulate arousal levels. SMRs are increasingly being explored as strength-based and person-centered adjuncts to care for people receiving inpatient psychiatry services. The aim of this study is to understand health provider and inpatient service user perceptions on the use of SMRs on acute psychiatric units.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with ten service users and nine health providers (four occupational therapists and five nurses) regarding their experiences of the SMRs located on three acute inpatient units in a large urban tertiary care hospital. We audio recorded and transcribed the focus groups and used thematic analysis to analyze the data.ResultsOur results suggested four common themes amongst health provider and service user experiences of sensory modulation rooms: (1) service user empowerment through self-management, (2) emotional regulation, (3) an alternative to current practices, and (4) health provider and service user education.ConclusionOur study supports the ecological utility of SMRs as person-centred adjunct therapeutic space viewed positively by both service users and health providers. This understanding of SMRs is critical for future service design, research and policy aimed at improving the service user experience and care for this population. Future research is needed to validate the experience of the SMRs with other patient groups and health providers.

510. Exposure Investigation Following a Confirmed Case of Candida auris and Multiple Carbapenemase-Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Organisms

BackgroundCo-infections of Candida auris and carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CP-CRO) are an increasing global concern and rarely seen in the United States. We report the case of a 59-year-old male, with recent hospitalization in India, admitted to our facility with C. auris isolated from urine and axilla/groin specimens and CP-CRO from five body sites.MethodsTravel screening in the emergency department identified a patient at high risk for colonization/infection with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Contact precautions were initiated. Eight CP-CRO isolates were subsequently identified from clinical and routine surveillance cultures from five separate sites. Of the isolates, seven contained one or more carbapenemase-producing genes detected by Xpert Carba-R assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) (Table 1). The microbiology laboratory alerted the infection control department of a presumptive positive C. auris from a clinical urine culture from the same patient. Enhanced mitigation strategies were initiated in regards to cleaning and disinfection.An exposure investigation was also conducted using a point prevalence approach. Surveillance cultures were obtained from inpatients currently admitted to the same unit as the index patient. Axilla/groin specimens were collected for C. auris testing, and rectal specimens were collected for CP-CRO gene testing (CRE Real-Time PCR).ResultsEighteen patients in addition to the index patient were hospitalized on the acute medicine unit. One patient refused testing for CP-CRO; therefore, 17 patients were tested for CP-CRO, and 18 patients were tested for C. auris. Neither CP-CRO nor C. auris were recovered from any patient.ConclusionA patient co-infected with C. auris and multiple CP-CRO was identified by clinical and routine surveillance cultures at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Travel screening allowed proactive isolation upon presentation. Enhanced infection control measures were implemented and a point prevalence surveillance study was conducted on the general acute care medicine inpatient unit. No transmission of either C. auris or CP-CRO was detected, likely due in part to rapid identification and strict infection control measures. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

1020. Variations in inpatient and outpatient antibiotic use – opportunities for improvement and facility-level feedback

BackgroundParticipation in the Antibiotic Use (AU) option of the National Health Safety Network (NHSN), provides medical facilities with the Standardized Antibiotic Administration Ratio (SAAR), a normalized ratio of facility antibiotic use. However, the range of antibiotic use by similar facilities is not provided and thus the opportunity to “nudge” behavior by comparing use with “best facilities” is lost. We developed reports of variations of antibiotic use that allow comparisons of local antibiotic use with that of 107 other VA facilities.MethodsData for 2018 were extracted from the VA Corporate Data Warehouse. Antibiotic use in CY2018 on acute inpatient care units was assessed as days of therapy (using CDC-defined drug classes) per 1000 days-present. In addition, we assessed the proportion of patients with pneumonia, urinary tract infections or skin-soft-tissue infections (collectively, PUS) who received anti-MRSA therapy or ß-lactam therapy directed against multi-drug-resistant and hospital GNR (anti-MDRGNR) during hospital days 0–2 (CHOICE, a timeframe representing empiric therapy).ResultsRates of total antibiotic use by VA facility varied over two-fold from 460 to 965 days of therapy (DOT)/1000 days-present (DP); anti-MRSA and anti-MDRGNR varied over four-fold, from 44 to 184 and, 55 to 262, respectively. Fluoroquinolone variation was even higher, ranging over 8-fold, from 17 to 145 DOT/1000 DP (Figure 1). Substantial variations were also observed in the frequency of administration of anti-MRSA and anti-MDRGNR therapy for PUS during CHOICE (14 to 49% and 15 to 65%, respectively; Figure 2).ConclusionThe large variations in the use of total antibiotic therapy, anti-MRSA, anti-MDRGNR and fluoroquinolone therapies are greater than can be readily explained by known variations in antibiotic resistance or differences in case-mix within the VA. Efforts are underway in the VA to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship programs. In other work, we have shown improvements in antimicrobial use among sites that have access to reports that provide the data described herein and that participate in group collaboratives. Our group is now making these data available to all VA facilities. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

The Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCoS): Psychometric Properties and Clinical Usefulness in Patients With Disorders of Consciousness.

Although comorbidities have a well-known impact on the functional recovery of patients with disorders of consciousness, including coma, vegetative state (VS), and minimally conscious state (MCS), a specific tool for their assessment in this challenging group of patients is lacking. For this aim, a multistep process was used to develop and validate the Comorbidities Coma Scale (CoCoS) in a sample of 162 patients with a diagnosis of coma, VS or MCS admitted to four Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Units. To establish the psychometric properties of the scale, content validity, and internal consistency were investigated through Exploratory Factor Analysis in the whole sample (n = 162). Interrater reliability, assessed by the weighted Cohen's kappa (Kw), and concurrent validity of the scale as compared to the Greenfield Scale, assessed by ρ Spearman's correlation coefficient, were investigated in a subsample of patients (n = 52) within two of the above units. Our findings provided evidence of a good content validity of the scale, with the identification of a 12-factor structure representing the different comorbid dimensions of the target population. Inter-rater reliability was excellent in both the rehabilitation units where the assessment was made [Kw 0.98 (95% CI 0.96–0.99)]. CoCoS total scores correlated significantly with total scores of the Greenfield Scale (ρ = 0.932, 95% CI 0.89–0.96; P < 0.0001) indicating that CoCoS has concurrent validity while being more informative about the specific pattern of comorbidities of these challenging patients. The CoCos is a new tool which standardizes the approach to assessment of comorbid conditions and reliably identifies the category and severity of each comorbidity detected. It may be used for both clinical and research applications.

Comparison of Automated Sepsis Identification Methods and Electronic Health Record-based Sepsis Phenotyping: Improving Case Identification Accuracy by Accounting for Confounding Comorbid Conditions.

Retrospective cohort study of emergency department and in-hospital patient encounters from 2014 to 2018. One community and two academic hospitals in Maryland. All patients 18 years old or older presenting to the emergency department or admitted to any acute inpatient medical or surgical unit including patients discharged from the emergency department. None. From the electronic health record, 233,252 emergency department and inpatient encounters were identified. Patient data were used to develop and validate electronic health record-based sepsis phenotyping, an adaptation of "the Centers for Disease Control Adult Sepsis Event toolkit" that accounts for comorbid conditions when identifying sepsis patients. The performance of this novel system was then compared with 1) physician case review and 2) three other commonly used strategies using metrics of sensitivity and precision relative to sepsis billing codes, termed "billing code sensitivity" and "billing code predictive value." Physician review of electronic health record-based sepsis phenotyping identified cases confirmed 79% as having sepsis; 88% were confirmed or had a billing code for sepsis; and 99% were confirmed, had a billing code, or received at least 4 days of antibiotics. At comparable billing code sensitivity (0.91; 95% CI, 0.88-0.93), electronic health record-based sepsis phenotyping had a higher billing code predictive value (0.32; 95% CI, 0.30-0.34) than either the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Sepsis Core Measure (SEP-1) definition or the Sepsis-3 consensus definition (0.12; 95% CI, 0.11-0.13; and 0.07; 95% CI, 0.07-0.08, respectively). When compared with electronic health record-based sepsis phenotyping, Adult Sepsis Event had a lower billing code sensitivity (0.75; 95% CI, 0.72-0.78) and similar billing code predictive value (0.29; 95% CI, 0.26-0.31). Electronic health record-based sepsis phenotyping identified patients with higher in-hospital mortality and nearly one-half as many false-positive cases when compared with SEP-1 and Sepsis-3. By accounting for comorbid conditions, electronic health record-based sepsis phenotyping exhibited better performance when compared with other automated definitions of sepsis.

The Safety and Feasibility of Exoskeletal-Assisted Walking in Acute Rehabilitation After Spinal Cord Injury

ObjectiveTo assess safety and feasibility for persons with acute spinal cord injury (SCI) using the robotic exoskeleton. DesignCase series observational study. SettingA level-1 trauma center in Canada with both acute and tertiary inpatient SCI rehabilitation units. ParticipantsEight male and 3 female (N=11) participants were recruited with a mean age of 41 years and with neurologic level of injury (C6-L2) and severity (American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS] A-D). The time since injury is a range of 3-15 weeks at the onset of training. InterventionsUp to 25 one-hour sessions of exoskeletal-assisted walking gait training, with participants less than 6 months from initial SCI. Main Outcome MeasuresCardiopulmonary outcomes including blood pressure, heart rate, and peripheral oxygen saturation; and perceived physical exertion using the Borg CR10 Scale were recorded. Gait parameters were measured by 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and 10-meter walk test (10MWT). Up Time, walk time, and number of steps were detailed longitudinally. Safety was assessed with regard to pain, falls, and skin integrity. ResultsNo serious adverse events occurred. Blood pressure decreased following initial sit to stand and increased during walking. Symptoms of hypotension were rare and improved with increased number of sessions. Perceived exertion was reported on average to be moderate (mean of 3.1). There was no significant increase in pain scores by Visual Analog Scale. On 6MWT, participants covered more distance (mean [m] ± SD, 117.1±11.7) in session 25 compared to session 2 (mean [m] ± SD, 47.6±6.6). On the 10MWT, all participants showed consistently improved gait speed; with participants traveling an average of 3.2 times faster during their last training session (mean [m/s] ± SD, 0.40±0.04) in comparison to session 2 (mean [m/s] ± SD, 0.12±0.01). ConclusionsExoskeletal-assisted walking in acute rehabilitation (<6mo) following SCI appears to be both safe and feasible.

Reducing Patient Falls on an Acute Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit Through Improved Patient Monitoring

Reducing Patient Falls on an Acute Inpatient Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit Through Improved Patient Monitoring

Retrospective Analysis of Acute Rehabilitation Outcomes of Cancer Inpatients with Leptomeningeal Disease.

Evaluate Functional Independence Measure (FIM) changes and incidence of serious medical complications requiring return to the primary acute care service of acute rehabilitation cancer inpatients with leptomeningeal disease (LMD). Retrospective chart review. Tertiary referral based comprehensive cancer center acute inpatient rehabilitation unit. Thirty cancer patients admitted to acute inpatient rehabilitation between 8 January 2014 and 8 August 2018 with pathology confirmed LMD within 6 months. Not applicable. FIM and incidence of return to the primary acute care service. Twenty five of 30 (83.3%) patients were noted to have neurologic impairments and 13/30 (43.3%) were noted to have cognitive impairments. Five of 30 patients (16.7%) received intrathecal chemotherapy and 4/30 (13.3%) received radiation during acute inpatient rehabilitation for LMD treatment. Median days in acute care prior to acute inpatient rehabilitation was 22.5. Median days from acute inpatient rehabilitation admission until death of the 23 deceased patients as of 1 January 2019 was 180.00. Twenty of 30 (66.7%) patients were discharged home, 9/30 (30%) transferred to the primary acute care service, and 1/30 (3.3%) discharged to a skilled nursing facility. Reasons for return to the primary acute care service included additional chemotherapy 3/9 (33%), neurologic decline 2/9 (22%), fever 2/9 (22%), altered mental status 1/9 (11%), and progressive polyarthritis 1/9 (11%). Of the 21 patients who completed acute inpatient rehabilitation without return to the primary acute care service, mean FIM subscore changes from admission to discharge for Activities of Daily Living, Mobility, and Motor were 5.1 (P < .001), 4.8 (P < .001) and 11.7 (P < .001), respectively (Wilcoxon signed rank test, significance P < .05). LMD patients who completed acute inpatient rehabilitation made statistically significant improvements on the majority of FIM items. Most patients were discharged home. Our data suggest LMD should not be a reason for exclusion from acute inpatient rehabilitation. III.

The feasibility and usability of a mobile application for performing home evaluations.

Study designProspective study.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and usability of a family member and a clinician completed home evaluation process using an adapted commercial MagicPlan mobile application (MPMA) and laser distance measurer (LDM).SettingAn acute inpatient rehabilitation unit and homes in the community.MethodsMPMA allows users to create floor plans (FPs), which may include virtually inserted pieces of durable medical equipment (DME). The MPMA with an LDM allows users to virtually demonstrate that ordered DME will fit within the measured environments. After training with an online educational module, the family member of someone on the acute inpatient unit (lay participant) went home to measure room dimensions and to create FPs using the MPMA and LDM. After completing the task, lay participants returned the FPs for review by clinicians responsible for ordering DME.ResultsForty-three lay participants and nine clinicians finished the study. Clinicians were satisfied with 75% of the FPs created by the lay participants using version 2 of the educational module. The lay participants and clinicians both thought the MPMA is useful and recommended its use.ConclusionThe MPMA with an LDM can be used to virtually complete a home evaluation and to evaluate for the appropriateness of various considered DME. The method of performing home evaluations may lead to more appropriate DME recommendations to improve functional independence for individuals with disabilities.SponsorshipThis work was supported by Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, QOL Sustainable Impact Projects (431146).

A qualitative evaluation of reflective practice groups on acute adult mental health inpatient units

Working on inpatient psychiatric wards requires the ability to maintain a calm and compassionate demeanour in the face of patient distress. This article considers the role of flexible reflective practice groups (RPGs) as a means of supporting staff to manage the impact of this distress on their own wellbeing, whilst maintaining an ethically sound practice.

‘A different kind of space’: Mixed methods evaluation of facilitated reflective practice groups for nurses in an acute inpatient mental health unit

Despite recognising the value of reflective practice, there are challenges in implementation of clinical supervision for nurses. This study reports on the implementation of Reflective Practice Groups for nurses in an acute inpatient mental health setting as a means of introducing nurses to reflective practice. A mixed-methods approach explored participant and facilitator experiences through session evaluation questionnaires, facilitator field notes, and interviews with participants. Findings demonstrate challenges in implementing Reflective Practice Groups however the perceived benefits suggest promise in using Reflective Practice Groups to engage busy nurses in facilitated reflection with an aim to transition to reflective clinical supervision.

A pragmatic effectiveness randomized controlled trial of the duration of psychiatric hospitalization in a trans-diagnostic sample of patients with acute mental illness admitted to a ward with either blue-depleted evening lighting or normal lighting conditions

BackgroundThere is increasing recognition of the need to stabilize sleep-wake cycles in individuals with major mental disorders. As such, clinicians and researchers advocate the use of interventions targeted at sleep and circadian dysrhythmias as an adjunct to the standard treatments offered for acute illness episodes of a broad range of diagnoses. To determine the trans-diagnostic generalizability of chronotherapy, we explore the benefits of admitting individuals with an acute illness episode to a psychiatric inpatient unit where changes in light exposure are integrated into the therapeutic environment.Methods/designA two-arm, pragmatic effectiveness, randomized controlled treatment trial, where individuals admitted for acute inpatient psychiatric care will be allocated to a ward with blue-depleted evening light or to a ward with the same layout and facilities but lacking the new lighting technology. The trial will test whether the experimental lighting conditions offer any additional benefits beyond those associated with usual treatment in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit. The main objectives are to examine any differences between groups in the mean duration of hospitalization in days. Additional analyses will compare group differences in symptoms, functioning, medication usage, and side effects and whether length of stay is associated with stability of sleep-wake cycles and circadian rhythms. Ancillary investigations should determine any benefits according to diagnostic subgroups and potential drawbacks such as any adverse effects on the well-being of professionals working across both wards.DiscussionThis unit offers a unique opportunity to explore how exposure to different lighting conditions may modify sleep-wake cycles and how any changes in sleep-wake cycle may impact on the clinical and functional outcomes of individuals experiencing an acute episode of a severe mental disorder that requires inpatient care. The findings could influence the future design of hospital units offering care to patients with mental or physical disorders.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03788993. Retrospectively registered on 28 December 2018.

Mental health nurses' attitudes towards consumer involvement in nursing handover pre and post an educational implementation.

Involving mental health consumers in nursing handover is a recent introduction to practise in acute mental health units. However, implementation must recognize that mental health care is complex and the approach needs to include recovery-focused philosophies of practice. Evidence shows that nurses and other health professionals consider poor handover practices may be the source of adverse events; however, the views of mental health nurses about involving consumers in nursing handover have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to identify nurses' attitudes towards consumer involvement in handover and to measure the effect of a training programme upon these attitudes. A single-group pre-post-test intervention study was undertaken. The study was conducted on the adult acute mental health inpatient unit of a major metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia, 2016-2017. Questionnaires were developed to capture the views of the nurses about proposed changes in the afternoon nursing handover process. A questionnaire was administered before and after the training intervention, an innovative, multi-media education handover package. We found that training had a significant influence on mental health nurses' attitudes towards involving consumers in the handover. Therapeutic engagement improved following training and miscommunication reduced when all players are informed and have the opportunity to engage with the information. This study has demonstrated that well-planned education can influence nurses' attitudes about involving consumers in the nursing handover processes.

Prevalence of catatonic signs and symptoms in an acute psychiatric unit from a tertiary psychiatric center in India.

The prevalence of catatonia varies with the setting and type of rating scale used to measure catatonia. Catatonia, initially subsumed under schizophrenia, now is increasingly recognized in association with affective disorders. We aimed to examine the prevalence of catatonia in an acute psychiatric inpatient unit in a tertiary center in India. Study subjects (n = 300) were randomly selected from amongst the inpatients over one year and evaluated within 24 h of admission using BFCRS and NCS, besides a sociodemographic and clinical proforma. During the inpatient stay MINI PLUS 5.0 was applied. Among 300 inpatients recruited, 88 (29.3%) demonstrated at least one catatonic sign in either of the rating scales. As per the diagnostic cut-offs defined by BFCRS and NCS, the prevalence of catatonia syndrome was 49 (16.3%) and 32 (10.6%) respectively. The prevalence rates as per ICD-10 criteria and DSM-5 criteria were 19% and 5.3% respectively. The two most frequently noted signs - staring and withdrawal, were not listed as signs in either the ICD-10 or DSM V. The prevalence of catatonic symptoms was different in psychotic disorders in contrast to affective disorders. Severity of catatonia was associated with younger age, lesser duration of primary illness and prior episodes of catatonia. The prevalence of catatonia varies from 5.3% to 19% based on the criteria used. Identification warrants use of structured instruments. Catatonia is more severe in the initial years of illness, those with prior episodes of catatonia and in the younger age group.