HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS British Journal of Psychiatry Advances in Psychiatric Treatment All RCPsych Journals		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via CrossRef Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Ashaye, O. Articles by Rigby, E. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Ashaye, O. Articles by Rigby, E.

Study of effects of constant observation of psychiatric in-patients

London/UCLSM Senior Registrar Training Scheme in Psychiatry of Old Age

George Ikkos, Consultant Psychiatrist

Psychiatric Unit, Barnet General Hospital, Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire

Elizabeth Rigby, Clinical Audit Co-Ordinator

Barnet Healthcare Trust

^* Correspondence: Dr O. Ashaye, Department of Psychiatry, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Hamstel Road, Harlow, Essex CM20 1QX

Constant observation is used in psychiatric practice mainly to prevent acutely ill in-patients from self-harm. All in-patients in a psychiatric hospital and a general hospital psychiatric unit who had been on constant observation over a 6 month period were identified (13 patients). These patients and their primary nurses were interviewed using different questionnaires. Most patients felt they had benefited from being on constant observation, but disliked the intrusion on their privacy. The nurses agreed that it had helped most patients, but a significant number of nurses found it frustrating and stressful. Our results suggest a need for an information sheet to be given to patients placed on constant observation; that the period on constant observation should be reduced where possible, and that support should be provided for the nurses involved.