Self-harm in Oxford, England: epidemiological and clinical trends, 1996-2010.

Background: Self-harm is a major healthcare problem and changes in its prevalence and characteristics can have important implications for clinical services, treatment and prevention.

Methods: We analysed data on all self-harm presentations to the general hospital in Oxford between 1996 and 2010 using the Oxford Monitoring System for Self-harm. We investigated trends in prevalence, methods and repetition of self-harm, and receipt of psychosocial assessment.

Medicines management: an interview study of nurses at a secure psychiatric hospital.

Aims: To explore mental health nurses' knowledge, attitudes and clinical judgement concerning medicines management in an inpatient setting with a view to enhancing training.

Background: Medicines management is a key role of mental health nurses, but little research has been conducted into their training needs.

Design: An exploratory mixed-methods design was used involving individual interviews with participants to investigate their responses to hypothetical medicine administration scenarios.

A study of the prescription and administration of sedative PRN medication to older adults at a secure hospital.

Background: There is a paucity of research into PRN medication use in older psychiatric inpatients. This is an important topic given the risks of polypharmacy, adverse drug reactions, and high dose medication.

Method: In 2013, we carried out a cross-sectional survey of the prescription and administration of sedative PRN medication to older adult inpatients on seven wards at a UK tertiary referral centre.

Medication for borderline personality disorder: a survey at a secure hospital.

Objectives: To study the use of medication in the treatment of inpatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). To survey clinicians' views on the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guideline on BPD.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of the use of psychotropics purely for BPD at a large secure UK psychiatric hospital, together with interviews with the treating psychiatrists.

Guidance on the Use of Antidepressants for Depression in Young People: A Survey of the Views of Consultants in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Background:   The Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence have issued guidance on antidepressant use in depression in young people.

Method:   An anonymous survey was sent to 692 UK consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry; the response rate was 70.1%.

Patient information leaflets for antidepressants: are patients getting the information they need?

Background: According to European law a comprehensive patient information leaflet (PIL) has to accompany all medicines. In this study we examined the uniformity, adequacy and balance of information contained in UK antidepressant PILs.

Methods: We studied antidepressant PILs available in the Electronic Medicines Compendium and subjected each to a content analysis.

Patients' complaints at a large psychiatric hospital: can they lead to better patient services?

Purpose: Little is known about complaints made by psychiatric patients. The aim of this study is to analyse complaints made by, or behalf of, inpatients at a large independent psychiatric hospital.

Design/methodology/approach: The hospital's complaints register was used to identify and study complaints made during 2006.

Administration of medicines in food and drink: a study of older inpatients with severe mental illness.

Background: Difficulties in administering medicines to older people are common, and medicines are sometimes mixed with food and drink to aid administration. Little is known about this practice or that of covert administration. This study aims to examine the nature, frequency, safety, reasons for and documentation of the administration of medicines in food and drink.

Screening for osteoporosis: a survey of older psychiatric inpatients at a tertiary referral centre.

Background: Osteoporosis causes much morbidity and mortality among elderly people. Older inpatients with severe mental illness may be at particular risk of osteoporosis because of factors including immobility, vitamin D deficiency and psychotropic medication.

Method: We screened predominantly older inpatients with severe mental illness for osteoporosis using a peripheral DEXA scanner.

Delegation of medication administration: an exploratory study.

Aim: To examine the delegation of medication administration, including the frequency of delegation, whether delegation was to a care worker or a registered nurse (RN) and whether care workers were directly supervised when administering medication.

Method: Administration of 1313 medication doses was observed on two inpatient psychiatric wards for older people.

Results: Administration was delegated by the nurse preparing the medication for four out of every five doses, usually to another registered nurse (78% of delegated doses), but also to care workers (22%).

Antipsychotics for BPSD: an audit of prescribing practice in a specialist psychiatric inpatient unit.

Background: Antipsychotics are widely used for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). In the light of the increased risk of cerebrovascular events, many countries have issued guidelines concerning their use in treating BPSD.

Methods: We carried out an audit of antipsychotic prescribing practice for inpatients with BPSD at a tertiary referral centre using standards derived from two U.