Psychiatric hospitals may enhance holistic care by introducing medical and surgical liaison teams

Abstract

Introduction Patients with mental health problems (MHP) are known to have more physical co-morbidities compared to the general population. In Malta, Mount Carmel hospital (MCH) which is the main psychiatric hospital (consisting of both acute and chronic wards), is separate from Mater Dei hospital (MDH) which is the general hospital at which medical and surgical care is provided. Such a division in healthcare may result in inadequate focus on physical health amongst patients of high demand in this regard. This subsequently puts an increased strain on the general hospital through repeated referrals. Objectives The purpose of this study is to show that inpatients with MHP have a significant number of co-morbidities and require multiple referrals to a general hospital for medical and surgical attention. Methods Three hundred and ninety-three inpatients at acute and chronic wards of MCH (during the first week of December 2016) were enrolled in the study. Treatment charts and iSOFT (healthcare IT software used in Malta) were used to determine patient’s diagnosed co-morbidities, number and type of referrals to MDH outpatient clinics (OPC), casualty and admissions at MDH over 1 year. Results Results of the audit indicate that a significant number of inpatients at MCH have medical co-morbidities and the majority have been referred to MDH for OPC and casualty over the past year. Conclusions Having medical and surgical liaison teams in psychiatric hospitals may enhance patient care and reduce the pressure exerted on general hospitals. Disclosure of interest The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.