Electrocardiograms, high-dose antipsychotic treatment and College guidelines

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey of all in-patients at a psychiatric hospital was performed to see to what extent College guidelines on neuroleptic prescribing were being adhered to. Thirteen (7.3%) patients were found to be on high doses and one (0.6%) on megadoses. Only 23% in the high-dose group had had an ECG at all, and Just 7.7% had had one in the previous three months. The single patient on megadose treatment had had an ECG but not In the previous three months. Prescribing habits that could potentially have led to 21.9% of patients receiving high doses and 9.0% megadoses were identified, and reasons for the low rate of ECGs discussed.