Improving Communication in Mental Health Wards

This assignment focuses on enhancing communication within a mental health acute ward by examining current clinical documentation methods. The primary objective is to develop improved communication strategies through documentation that will ultimately contribute to the ward's overall effectiveness. The research process involves assessing existing methodologies, collecting primary data, analyzing findings, and preparing a report outlining recommendations for enhanced documentation practices.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Background and analysis of the issue..........................................................................................1
Aim of the project........................................................................................................................1
Objectives of the project..............................................................................................................1
Rationale of the project................................................................................................................2
Significance of the study.............................................................................................................2
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................2
PROJECT DESIGN.........................................................................................................................3
PROJECT STRATEGIES...............................................................................................................4
Research approach.......................................................................................................................4
Research philosophy....................................................................................................................4
PROJECT METHODS....................................................................................................................4
Data collection and sampling.......................................................................................................4
Data analysis methodology..........................................................................................................4
PROPOSED TIME FRAME...........................................................................................................4
EXPECTED OUTCOME................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
APPENDIX......................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Background and analysis of the issue
In last 10 years, the admission of patients in acute mental health ward have been on
increasing rate. Hence, it has become an integral part of the hospital which is required to be
maintained with all the possible measures such as, effective communication methodologies,
adequate amount of health care professionals, nurses and other staff, substantial resources etc. In
the acute mental health ward of a hospital, assessment and treatment is extended to the patient
which are above the age of 18 who are facing severe mental illness. These patients not only
require medicated treatment but informal method of knowing them is also used so that better
understanding of patient’s condition can be made (Elliott, Huizinga and Menard, 2012).
It is difficult to keep a track record of what the patient is facing everyday and what kind of
medication and dosages are given to him / her. In this scenario, communication and documenting
the same become an important activity that is to be conducted by the service providers at health
care department. The issue arises due to ineffective use of communication tools available with
the nurses. Documenting have been seen playing a vital role in extending effective treatment to
the patients (Improving documentation of physical health investigations in an adolescent mental
health inpatient unit, 2015). Hence, the present research aims at improving communication by
refining the quality of documentation in mental health acute ward.
Aim of the project
The aim of the project is
“A study on improving communication by improving clinical documentation in mental
health acute ward”
Objectives of the project
Based on the above aim, following objectives can be prepared:
 To ascertain effective communication in mental health acute ward in 3 weeks.
 To analyse various methods of communication that can be used to improve clinical
documentation in mental health acute ward in 3 weeks of examination.
 To focus upon communication tools such as, numeric pagers, live video translators,
pocket talker and video conferencing
 To recommend on effective communication methods that can be adopted to improve
clinical documentation in mental health acute ward based upon the study of 8 weeks.
1

Rationale of the project
The aim of present study holds adequate importance as understanding various
communication aspect will help in implementing better strategies in the ward. It is will
ultimately result in extending better support and treatment to mental health patient (Turvey and
et.al., 2013). Moreover, the project will also be helpful in improving health care services
provided by the hospital, particularly in mental health care ward.
Significance of the study
The present study is significant enough as there has been an extensive increase in the umber
of patients suffering from one or the other mental health issue. Moreover, the ward in which
these patients are kept is also full which contains approximately 50 beds in a row. It is difficult
for service providers to retain each and every aspect of the patient and then provide treatment
based on it. In this case, documentation becomes a handy method to be adopted by them (Halter,
2017).
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Corrigan and Rao, (2012) Mental health acute ward generally owns the
patients that are generally suffering from acute mental issues. It is difficult for the service
providers to deal with these patients unless and until proper documentation is kept. Hence, in that
case effective communication and clinically documenting the same become an important task.
Another important aspect is that, due to various mental issues faced by these patients, they are
not able to describe their condition and habit of forgetfulness and behaving inappropriately
become common practice in them. It becomes necessary to keep a track record of basic condition
of the patients which makes the documentation aspect necessary. In such cases, it becomes
important to properly train the nurses so that they can effectively communicate with them and
ensure that proper history has been taken from them for further diagnosis and treatment.
However, as per the views of Fortinash and Worret, (2014) maintaining documentation of
clinical health investigation, raise the standards of overall treatment given to the patients as each
and every aspect is considered in following this practice. It helps in preserving inpatient mental
health setting. For instance, if a patient is diagnosed with eating disorder, in this case,
multidisciplinary rounds of ward will help in addressing that what is the diet patient has been
taking and what changes can be brought in the same. It helps in promoting better treatment
2

aspects to them. Nurses have to ensure that each patient and suffering from which disease and
treatment plan issues by the health care professional is being followed appropriately or not.
According to Stuart, (2014) monitoring physical and mental health of the patient helps in
informing regarding assessment and management of the patient having psychiatric illness.
Screening medication of these patient is also an important task to be performed. Documentation
helps in understanding and reviewing the present condition of the patients and comparing the
same with the past. Moreover, patient’s notes allow other members to get access to it. It ensures
that all the results being derived earlier have been taken into account while taking any present
clinical decisions. The nurses have to ensure that all the documents and medical tests have been
conducted and appropriately recoded for further review process. However, as per the views of
Hoge and et.al., (2014) in the documentation reports, results of blood test is recorded, other test
that are performed on the patient, such as, MRI, CT Scan or any important physical examination
diagnosis and medications are also noted in it. Retrospective audit of the same is required to be
performed in such a manner that, better treatment can be extended o the patient. For instance,
patients with eating disorder, that is anorexia nervosa requires weekly blood test, ECG
monitoring and other investigation such as, DEXA scan in order to evaluate health of their
bones. These reports are required to be compiled weekly so that its analysis can be performed in
such a manner that dosage of medications can be decided based upon it.
According to Stuart, (2014) in order to ensure that appropriated communication channel can
be created between the staff members in such a manner that important information regarding the
patient is not missed which can affect the overall diagnosis and treatment aspect of the patient. In
such cases, various communication tools can be used by the nurses to have appropriate
knowledge regarding their patients. live videos or numerical pager come handy in such cases.
The nurses can also ensure that if the patient is not present in the ward, video conferencing can
also be used to ascertain the condition of the patient. Other important communication tools
include, pocket talker, with a hearing amplifier in it and other common method of
communication, such as, e mails and phone.
PROJECT DESIGN
Design is the blueprint of overall research. There are various types of designs, these are,
descriptive, exploratory, explanatory etc. In the present research, descriptive research design will
be used by the researcher. It will help in developing detailed understanding regarding subject
3

matter. Moreover, it will play a vital role in coming up wit the perfect outcome that can
ultimately lead to better solutions.
PROJECT STRATEGIES
Research approach
There are basically two types of approaches. These are, inductive and deductive approach.
In the present research inductive approach will be used by the researcher where an altogether
new theory will be developed based upon the first-hand data collected (Bowling, 2014).
Research philosophy
Research philosophy help in enhancing the knowledge and idea that are related to the
subject matter. Interpretivism approach will be used by the researcher to understanding of the
issue in the most effective manner.
PROJECT METHODS
Data collection and sampling
In order to reach to the desired outcomes of the research, data will be collected for the
present study in both primary and secondary format. Primary data will be collected from 10
nurses working in the department in an interview format so that detailed views regarding the
subject matter can be gathered from them (Reisner and et.al., 2015). They will be able to give
adequate understanding regarding importance of improving communication and documentation
aspect in the ward.
Data analysis methodology
The collected data will then be analysed in qualitative format where themes will be
formulated so that focus can be made on each and every aspect of the study. It will help in
analysing each and every aspect of the research in detailed format.
PROPOSED TIME FRAME
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Preparing research proposal
Conducting review of literature
Formulating aims and objectives
Collecting secondary data
Analysis of secondary data
4

Formulation of research methodology
Assessment of research methodology
Collection of primary data
Analysing primary data
Preparing research findings
Submitting final research
EXPECTED OUTCOME
The present research aims at improving communication by improving clinical
documentation in mental health acute ward. Hence, to fulfil the requirements of the study, the
expected outcome happens to be generation of better communication can documentation
methods that can ultimately help in better functioning of the ward.
5

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Elliott, D. S., Huizinga, D. and Menard, S., 2012. Multiple problem youth: Delinquency,
substance use, and mental health problems. Springer Science & Business Media.
Turvey, C. and et.al., 2013. ATA practice guidelines for video-based online mental health
services. Telemedicine and e-Health. 19(9). pp.722-730.
Halter, M. J., 2017. Varcarolis' Foundations of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing-E-Book: A
Clinical Approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Corrigan, P. W. and Rao, D., 2012. On the self-stigma of mental illness: Stages, disclosure, and
strategies for change. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 57(8). pp.464-469.
Fortinash, K. M. and Worret, P. A. H., 2014. Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing-E-Book.
Elsevier Health Sciences.
Stuart, G. W., 2014. Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Nursing-E-Book. Elsevier Health
Sciences.
Hoge, C. W. and et.al., 2014. PTSD treatment for soldiers after combat deployment: low
utilization of mental health care and reasons for dropout. Psychiatric Services. 65(8).
pp.997-1004.
Bowling, A., 2014. Research methods in health: investigating health and health services.
McGraw-Hill Education (UK).
Reisner, S. L. and et.al., 2015. Mental health of transgender youth in care at an adolescent urban
community health center: a matched retrospective cohort study. Journal of Adolescent
Health. 56(3). pp.274-279.
Online
Improving documentation of physical health investigations in an adolescent mental health
inpatient unit. 2015. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4693065/ >
6

APPENDIX
7

8