Emergency Psychiatry Flashcards
Goals of Emergency Psychiatry
Triage Assessment Diagnosis Short term management Discharge planning
Describe triage
Collection first line information
Prioritise as per need
Communicate/escalate appropriately to arrange further care
Describe assessment
Appropriate assessment to seek further diagnostic information pertinent to manage presenting problem.
Rapid understanding of aetiology is a key skill required.
Describe short term management
Options such as medications, hospitalisation, seclusion/restraint and crisis social interventions and psychoeducation.
Describe discharge planning
Longer term interventions should be planned including preventative strategies aimed at averting crises and rational follow-up strategies.
What sx would make one suspect of withdrawal or intoxication of substances?
Disorientation Impaired consciousness Ataxia Autonomic dysfunction Hallucinations
What sx would make one suspect agitated depression?
Subdued mood
Anxiety
Catastrophic/guilt delusions
What would make one suspect of organic cause of catatonia?
No psychiatric hx
Worsens with benzos
What makes one suspect depressive stupor?
Low mood
Hx of depression
Hopelessness
What makes one suspect psychotropic induced catatonia such as NMS?
Rapid onset
Marked rigidity
Autonomic instability without posturing
Causes of catatonia
Organic Depressive stupor Schizophrenia Manic excitement Psychotropic induced - NMS Autism/neurodevelopmental disorders
What can cause starvation in the psychiatric patient?
ED Psychotic depression Schizophrenia Manic neglect Psychotropic induced - NMS OCD - food obsessions
How can schizophrenia lead to starvation?
Suspicions around poisoning, disorganised behaviour
How can OCD lead to starvation?
Recurrent irrational worries about safety, ritualistic behaviour
Total global mortality from suicide
1-2%
How high does suicide rank in developed countries?
Fifth most common cause
How many deaths in England and Wales are from suicide?
1%
Rate of suicide in England and Wales
8 per 100,000 per year
In which group are suicide rates increasing?
Young men
Most common suicide method in men
Hanging
How many deaths by men are from hanging?
40%
Second most common cause of death by men
OD
How many deaths from OD are caused by men?
20%
Third most common cause of death by men
Poisoning by car exhaust fumes
How many men die by poisoning from car exhaust fumes?
10%
Most common method of suicide by women
OD
Second most common method of suicide by women
Hanging
Third most common method of suicide by women
Drowning
How many women die by OD
46%
How many women die by hanging?
27%
How many women die by drowning?
7%
In most countries which age group has the highest rate of suicide?
> 75
Predictors of suicide in the elderly
Depression
Social isolation
Impaired physical health
Personality traits - anxious, obsessive
Where is there an increase in suicide rates in kids?
Males aged 15-19
Principal methods of suicide in young males
Hanging
Poisoning with car exhaust fumes
Traits amongst children who die by suicide
Antisocial behaviour
Suicide behaviour
Depressive disorders amongst parents and siblings
In which ethnic group is there a higher rate of suicide?
Asian women
Which occupational groups are at high risk of suicide?
Doctors - especially female
Anaesthetists, GPs and Psychiatrists
Farmers
Suicide due to depression
36-90%
Suicide due to alcohol abuse
43-54%
Suicide due to drug abuse
4-45%
Suicide due to schizophrenia
3-10%
Suicide due to organic mental disorder
2-7%
Suicide due to PD
5-44$
How many patients with a mood disorder will die by suicide?
6-10%
Which patients with depression are at highest risk?
Inpatients
Hx of impulsive and aggressive behaviour
Alcohol and drug misuse
Cluster B PD
How much does the risk of suicide increase if there is a history of a suicide attempt?
40x increase
Lifetime risk of suicide in alcohol dependence
7%
Suicide rate in heavy drinks
3.5x higher than general population
Suicide rate in alcohol use disorders
15x higher than general population
Suicide rate in drug dependence
15x higher than general population
Suicide rate in Anorexia
20-fold higher than general population
Lifetime suicide risk in schizophrenia
6%
10x higher than genera population
When do majority of schizophrenia patients commit suicide?
Active phase of disorder after suffering depressive sx
Characteristic traits of patients with PD who commit suicide
Comorbid depression or substance misuse
Impulsive and aggressive behaviour
Younger
Global annual suicide rate
1 in 6000/year
Male:female ratio of suicide
2-4:1
Most common age of suicide
15-24 females
25-34 males
In which age group is suicide rate decreasing?
> 65
Most common psychiatric diagnosis in suicide
Depression 30-31%
Alcohol dependence 17-24%
Mental disorders without much increase in suicide rate
Mental retardation
Dementia
OCD - if no depression
Suicides that have at least one recorded DSH attempt
40-60%
Number of people that will repeat DSH in one year
30%
Patients who were in contact with MH services at time of suicide
25%
Patients on psychiatry OP registers at time of suicide
25%
Patients who attempt suicide under alcohol influence
25%
50% of those who had alcohol within 6 hours
Patients who committed suicide who had seen a psychiatrist in the previous week
12.5%
Patients who commit suicide who had seen a health worker in last 3 weeks
33%
Patients who commit suicide who had seen their GP in last four weeks
66%
Patients who commit suicide who had seen their GP in the last week
40%
Most common method of IP suicide
Hanging - belt, curtain rail
How many IP suicides occur during first week of admission
25%
How many IP suicides occur when under routine (not constant or intermittent observations)
80%
How many patients who commit suicide were not compliant with meds?
20%
How many patients committed suicide within 3 months of d/c
25%
40% before first follow-up
How many patients committed suicide within 28 days of d/c
1 in 500-1000 patients
How many suicides were preventable according to MH teams in England?
22%
Strongest RF for suicide
DSH history
Risk of suicide within one year of DSH
0.7%
Males: 1.1%
Females: 0.5%
66x more than general population
How many patients who committed suicide were on the enhanced CPA
50%
How many elderly patients who committed suicide visited their GP
20% on same day
40% within 1 week
70% within one month
How many suicides do MH teams in England regard as identifiable factors which could have reduced risk?
67%
How many IP suicides occurred while on leave?
33%
How many patients who committed suicide missed a recent appointment in the community?
30%
How many Black Carribean patients in England and Wales who commit suicide have a diagnosis of Schizophrenia?
75%
What are suicides in ethnic minorities associated with?
Higher rates of recent onset treatment non-compliance
How many suicides in England are in the homeless community?
3%
Cross-national lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan and attempts?
- 2%
- 1%
- 7%
How many transitions from suicidal ideation to plan to attempt occur within first year of onset?
60%
How many suicide attempts are recorded for every suicide?
25
How many suicide attempts are due to OD?
90%
Most common drug overdoses
Paracetamol
Aspirin
Which antidepressants are commonly overdosed on?
TCAs
SSRI
(25%)
Age of those who complete suicide
Late middle age
Age of those who attempt suicide
Late teens/early 20s
Marital status of those who complete suicide
Widowed>Divorced>Single>Married
Marital status of those who attempt suicide
No pattern
Social class of those who complete suicide
Higher among unemployed and retired
Social class of those who attempt suicide
Lower and unemployed
Early childhood of those who complete suicide
Death of parent
Early childhood of those who attempt suicide
Broken home
Family history of those who complete suicide
Depression
Suicide
Alcoholism
FHx of those who attempt suicide
Similar episodes
Physical health of those who complete suicide
Handicapped
Terminal illness
Personality traits of those who attempt suicide
Cluster B traits
Diagnosis of those who complete suicide
Major psychiatric disorders
Substance use
Diagnosis of those who attempt suicide
Mental distress
Reactive depression
Cognitive precipitants of those who complete suicide
Guilt
Hopelessness
Cognitive precipitants of those who attempt suicide
Identity difficulties
Emotional distress
Rate of DSH in UK
3 per 1000 per year
How many people who DSH will repeat the act in the next year
20%
How many people who DSH will die within the next year
1%
How many people who DSH will eventually complete suicide?
10%
How may people consume alcohol 6 hours before committing suicide?
33% males
25% females
Most common method of DSH
Laceration
How many people of DSH patients in hospital have a likely psych disorder?
90%
Most frequency diagnoses of those who DSH
Depression
Alcohol misuse and drugs (men) and anxiety (women)
PD
Factors associated with risk of repeating DSH
Age 25-54 Alcohol/substance use PD Hx of violence Lower social class Previous psychiatric treatment Previous self harm Single, divorced or separated Unemployed
Clinical indicators of high suicidal intent
Act carried out in isolation and timed so intervention unlikely
Precautions taken to avoid discovery
Precaution made in anticipation of death (will, note)
Premeditated actions leading to final act (saving up tablets)
Communicating intent beforehand
Not altering potential helps after act
Admission of intent
Ongoing plans to repeat act
Continued access to means to reattempt
Diagnosable MI or PD
Physical illness - esp chronic conditions or those with pain/functional impairment
Recent contact with psych services
Recent d/c from psych IP
Demographic indicators of high suicidal intent
Male
Low socio-economic status
Unmarried, separated, widowed
Unemployed and living alone
Background history suggestive of high suicidal intent
DSH (with high suicidal intent) Childhood adversity FHx of suicide FHx of MI Clinical Hx
Psychosocial factors suggestive of high suicidal intent
Hopelessness Impulsiveness Low self-esteem Recent stressful life event Relationship instability Lack of social support
Current content indicators of high suicidal intent
Suicidal ideation
Suicidal plans
Availability of means
Risk factors for completing suicide
Past DSH Older age Male Social isolation Psychiatric hx Unemployment Poor physical health Access to means
What scales can be used to assess suicide risk?
SAD PERSONS
Beck Hopelessness
Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation
What is the SAD PERSONS score?
10 major demographic risk factors used to assess immediate suicide risk in general hospital setting.
Outline the SAD PERSONS score
Sex - 1 if male, 0 if female
Age - 1 if <20 or >44
Depression - 1 if depression present
Previous attempt - 1
Ethanol abuse - 1
Rational thinking loss - 1
Social support lacking - 1
Organized plan - 1 if plan is made and lethal
No spouse - 1 if divorced, widowed, separated of single
Sickness - 1 if chronic, debilitating and severe
What is Beck Hopelessness Scale?
20 T/F statements focused on pessimism about the future.
Scores of Beck Hopelessness Scale
0-3 - minimal risk
4-8 - mild risk
9-14 - moderate risk
15-20 - severe risk
What is Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation?
Self-reported 24-item scale (5 screening items) that assess patients thoughts, plans and intent to commit suicide.
Scoring of Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation?
Scores range form 0-48.
Each item scored 0-2.
Higher score = greater suicide risk. No cut-offs.
What questions need to be asked when making a decision of someone who is at risk of suicide?
Is there evidence of MI?
Is there on-going suicidal intent?
Are there non-MH issues that can be addressed?
What is the level of social support?
Care of the potentially suicidal patient in the community
Full MH and social context assessment
Considering place of safety
Regular review of suicide risk and arrangements
Safe treatment using adequate dosage of less toxic drugs
Restricting prescriptions and other means of access
Involving relatives for safe keeping of tablest
Arrangement for crisis or urgent access for patient and cares
How many adolscents in the UK report suicidal ideation?
15%
Females: 22%
Males: 8.5%
Most common method of suicide in adolescence
Paracetamol OD
Cutting
One year prevalence of self-harm amongst 5-10 year olds w/o MH issues
0.8%
One year prevalence of SH in 5-10 y/o with anxiety
6.2%
One year prevalence of SH among 5-10 year olds in children with conduct, hyperkinetic or less common MI
7.5%
One year prevalence of SH in 11-15 year olds without MI problems
1.2%
One year prevalence of SH among 11-15 year olds with anxiety
9.4%
One year prevalence of SH among 11-15 year olds with conduct, hyperkinetic or less common MI
8-13%
One year prevalence of SH among 11-15 year olds with depression
18.8%
Proportion of DSH in children that receives hospital attention
<13%
One year prevalence of SH in 15-16 year olds
6.9%
Proportion of under 16s who attend ED with self harm
5%
Proportion of adolescents that self harm at least once a week
41%
Factors associated with dangerousness
Younger age Males Past hx of criminality and violence Childhood physical or sexual abuse Childhood conduct disturbances Psychiatric diagnosis Conducive environment Specific sx Unemployment
Which specific sx are linked to dangerousness?
Command hallucinations
Agitation
Hostile suspiciousness
Initial steps to manage an agitated patient
Securing safety of patient and others
Verbal de-escalation
Defusing
Second line treatment of agitation
Lorazepam 1-2mg IM/PO
Haloperidol 5mg PO/IM
Olanzapine 5-10mg IM
Promethazine 25-50mg PO, repeated after 1-2 hours, max 100mg
Side effects of rapid tranq
Bradycardia or irregular pulse
Acute dystonia
Reduced breathing (<10) or falling sats
Drop in BP (orthostatic drop, <50 diastolic)
What to do if acute dystonia secondary to rapid tranq?
Procyclidine 5-10mg IM
Benztropine 1-2mg
What to do if reduced RR/low sats secondary to rapid tranq?
Flumazenil if previous use of benzos
Arrange ITU transfer for mechanical ventilation
What to do if drop in BP secondary to rapid tranq?
Lie flat
Raise legs
If no response, refer to physicians
What types of catatonia are there?
Withdrawn
Agitated/excited
Risks in withdrawn catatonia?
Self-neglect leading to dehydration and starvation
Risks of untreated catatonia?
Physical complications - electrolyte complications, renal damage
Psychiatric associations with catatonia
Depression
NMS
Mania
Schizophrenia
Neurological associations with Catatonia
Postencephalitic states Parkinsonism Seizures Basal Ganglia damage Stroke Tumours
Treatment of caatonia
Lorazepam 1-2mg IM/IV and treatment of underlying disorder
Treatment of NMS
Stop offending neuroleptic Rehydration Antipyretic Dantrolene 2-3mg/kg or Bromocriptine 2.5-10mg TDS
Most important intervention for the confused/delirious patient
Optimising patients environment by promoting presence of familiar people in vicinity
Well-lit nursing bay
Frequent reorientation to place and purpose
1:1 nursing
Encouraging fluid and food intake
Avoiding polypharmacy including routine sedatives and anticholinergics
Medication options for confused/delirious patients in distress who are elderly
Haloperidol 0.5mg, repeat after 2 hours.
Medication options for adults who are confused/delirious
Haloperidol PO 2mg
Factors associated with self neglect in the elderly
Advanced age
Lack of social contacts
Presence of medical morbidity
Diagnosis of dementia, depression or alcoholism
Poverty and illiteracy
Suspicious, mistrustful, avoidant or paranoid personality
Loss of a caregiver
Bereavement or other loss events
Decreased vision/hearing or other physical impairments
What must risk assessment of the elderly include?
ADLs Environmental assessment Cognitive assessment Physical assessment Capacity
Who can make an application for detention under s2?
Nearest Relative
AMPH
Medical recommendation requirement for s2?
Two medical recommendations, one of which must be by an approved doctor
Duration of detention under s3
6 months
May be renewed for a further 6 months
Then can be renewed for 12 months
Who can be detained under s4?
Not yet admitted to hospital, including ED, OP and day hospitals
Who can use S5(2)?
Registered medical practitioner in charge of treatment
Where can S5(2) not be used?
ED/OP
What transfers cannot occur while a patient is under 5(2)?
Cannot be transferred to another ward as they are technically in a ‘place of safety’ unless the patients life is at risk and irreversible harm would be done.
How long does 5(4) last?
6 hours
Can treatment be given under 5(2)?
No
How were patients who lacked capacity treated prior to the MCA?
Under common law ‘duty of care’ (doctrine of necessity)
What are the five principles of the MCA?
Any person is assumed to have capacity unless it is established otherwise
An individual should not be regarded as unable to make a decision unless all practical steps to help him do so have been undertaken without success
An individual is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because he makes an unwise decision
Any action made under the Act or on behalf of someone who lacks capacity must be done in his best interests
Regard must be taken before an act is done as to whether there is a less restrictive option
What are the two stages of the assessment of capacity?
Is there impairment or disturbance in the functioning of the patients mind or brain?
If there is, does this make the person unable to make a particular decision?
Decision based on balance of probabilities
What is considered central to the assessment of capacity?
Understand info relevant to decision
Retain that info
Use or weigh up that info as prt of process of making the decision
Communicate decision
What is the person assessing capacity required to do?
Only has to have reasonable belief about what is in persons best interests
Focus of CRHTT
Reduce need for acute psychiatric hospital admission and occupancy of beds
Main reasons for focus on home treatment in CRHTTs
INterpersonal problems are major causes of psychiatric crises and best treated in settings where they arise. Coping skills are most effectively applied in context in which they are learned.
Patients prefer treatment at home than in hospital. Reduction in inequality of power at home.
Home treatment costs less
Hospital admission has harmful effects
What can CRHTTs do?
Avoid admission
Facilitate early d/c with intensive home treatment and support
Key characteristics of a CRHTT
Multidisciplinary
Community based
Rapidly responsive (same day)
Partnership-working with other MH teams to ensure continuity of care
Focused on emergency situations where admission would otherwise be indicated
Maintain contact and facilitate early d/c when a patient is admitted
R/v patients daily (at least)
Responsivity of CRHTTs
Lower patient to staff ratio with capacity to visit a patient several times a day, 24 hour availability, response within 1 hour if needed.
May direct administration of medication up to QDS if needed.
Gate-keeping role of CRHTT?
No individuals are admitted to an acute psychiatric IP unit w/o CRHTT first assessing the patient and considering whether intensive home support and treatment would avoid admission