Health screening audit – south Barnet PCMH pilot

Abstract

Physical health monitoring is an integral part of caring for patients with mental health problems. It is proven that serious physical health problems are more common among patients with severe mental health illness (SMI), this monitoring can be challenging and there is a need for improvement.

Aims

The aim of this project was to improve the physical health monitoring for patients with mental health illness. The patients group was under the care of south Barnet primary care mental health pilot (SB PCMH Pilot). SB PCMH pilot is a multidisciplinary team that includes: consultant psychiatrist mental health nurse and psychologist.

Results

Between November to December 2014, 60 patients were discharged from SB PCMHT and the electronic case notes of 38 of them who had an assessment/intervention by the service were reviewed. Results showed that 82% of the records verified that discussion and screening of physical health, smoking, drugs and alcohol had been completed. The data was discussed in team meetings with all team members. After thorough team discussions and brainstorming; the team agreed that an improvement in the process of monitoring was needed to work towards ensuring these matters are discussed with 100% patients and that this is accurately recorded. It was agreed to re-audit in 3 months.

Re-audit

A re-audit completed between January to April 2015 confirmed an improvement as 98% of patients seen for an assessment by SB PCMH pilot have had their annual health checks and appropriate health screenings discussed and recorded routinely.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.