Nurses' attitudes towards the use of PRN psychotropic medications in acute and forensic mental health settings

Nurses' use of pro re nata medication in adult acute mental healthcare settings: An integrative review

This integrative review explores the current pro re nata (PRN) medication practice in acute adult mental health settings. PRN medication is commonly used in acute mental health settings but there is lack of evidence of effectiveness of this practice. PRN medications have a number of adverse effects and increase the risk of morbidity in patients with a mental illness. Articles were identified from MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science database. The STROBE critical appraisal tool was used to evaluate the quality of evidence, and inductive thematic analysis was used to extract main themes. Five themes regarding prescription practices, poor documentation, reasons to administer, medication misuse, and insufficient use of non-pharmacological interventions emerged among the 12 eligible articles. The study identified PRN medication practice gaps in adult mental health settings included insufficient documentation practice, underuse of therapeutic non-pharmacological interventions, and significant variability in PRN medication practice across the mental health professionals due to different levels of knowledge and experience.

Using the Theoretical Domain Framework to understand what helps and hinders the use of different sensory approaches in Australian psychiatric units: A survey of mental health clinicians

BACKGROUND/AIM

Although sensory approaches are recommended to relieve distress and agitation and reduce the use of seclusion and restraint, many Australian psychiatric units have struggled to sustain their practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the barriers and enablers influencing the use of different sensory approaches across one health region in Australia and to obtain recommendations for strategies to improve their use.

METHOD

This cross-sectional survey was informed by the Theoretical Domain Framework. Likert scale questions considered barriers and enablers to the use of non-weighted sensory interventions, weighted modalities, sensory rooms, and sensory assessments/plans. Open-ended questions explored participant concerns and recommendations to improve the use of sensory approaches.

RESULTS

Participants (n = 211) were from nursing, allied health, medical, and peer support staff across inpatient psychiatric units. Factors most frequently identified as enablers for using sensory approaches were beliefs of positive benefits to consumers (e.g. decreasing distress and agitation); belief it was within the staff's role; and knowledge of the approaches. Limited time was the most common identified barrier. Factors statistically associated with more frequent use were knowledge, skills, confidence, availability, and easy access to sensory tools/equipment. Only 30% of participants were concerned about potential risks of sensory approaches, with this risk mitigated through adequate supervision and thorough risk assessment. Recommendations to improve practice included improved access to, and maintenance of, equipment, more training, and increased staffing.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed how barriers and enablers vary for different sensory approaches and how these factors impact their frequency of use in psychiatric units. It provides insights into staff recommendations to improve the use of sensory approaches in one health region in Australia. This knowledge will lead to the development of implementation strategies to address identified barriers and improve the use of sensory approaches in psychiatric units.

Using Evidence: A Nursing Assessment Protocol for Acute Geropsychiatric Patients

INTRODUCTION

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 20% of the United States population lives with at least one mental health issue. The most common mental illnesses affecting older Americans include anxiety, cognitive, and mood disorders. These patients may exhibit behaviors indicating agitation or anxiety during necessary hospital stays that warrant de-escalation techniques and appropriate medications to help manage emergent symptoms.

AIMS

This quality improvement intervention was intended to demonstrate enhancement of the nursing assessment and reassessment of patients demonstrating symptoms of agitation and anxiety requiring intervention.

METHODS

Assessment of the established nursing practice demonstrated compromised patient safety and led to planning and implementation of a new practice standard that incorporated an evidence-based tool. Nurses utilized a protocol that employed the Pittsburgh Agitation Scale to augment documentation of the nursing assessment for patients exhibiting symptoms of marked anxiety and agitation.

RESULTS

Following a 3-month trial, chart audits were completed to assess results of the protocol's implementation. Significant improvement was noted in the nursing assessment process as evidenced in required documentation of nursing assessment and reassessment including use of the protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing standards to guide nursing care can support both patient safety and professional practice.

Exploring the complexity of acute inpatient mental health nurses experience of chemical restraint interventions: Implications on policy, practice and education

Chemical restraint research is growing with multiple healthcare disciplines increasing focused on understanding uses, harms of restraint and restraint reduction in inpatient mental health settings. Despite increased restraint research relatively little is known about nurses' experiences of administering chemical restraint. The research question guiding this study was: what are mental health nurses' experiences of using chemical restraint interventions in times of behavioural emergency on adult inpatient acute mental health units? The purpose of the research was to understand direct care nurses' first-hand experiences in use of chemical restraint interventions. Eight adult acute inpatient mental health nurses were interviewed using hermeneutic phenomenological method. The aim of this paper to discuss three themes that emerged in the research which clearly highlight the complex ethical issues and education needs of mental health nurses who use chemical restraint: working within constraints, making medication choices, and transitioning from novice to expert. Research findings indicated a need for further focus on medication best practice, policy development and nurse education. These exploratory research findings can be used to both inform and challenge dominant inpatient mental health practice to guide nurses, health care leaders, and policy makers by increasing understanding of the complex ethical decision-making required for use of chemical restraint interventions. Education strategies can be developed from the findings which highlight integral ways that nurses make meaning in their administering of chemical restraint, and their accompanied insights into the complex clinical and ethical decision-making aspects involved in nursing care.

Practical Considerations of PRN Medicines Management: An Integrative Systematic Review

Background and objectives: Highly widespread use of pro re nata (PRN) medicines in various healthcare settings is a potential area for improper medication prescription and administration leading to patient harm. This study aimed to summarize and integrate the findings of all relevant individual studies regarding the practical considerations of PRN medicines management including strategies and interventions by healthcare professionals for safe prescription, dispensing, administration, monitoring, and deprescription of PRN medicines in healthcare settings. Methods: An integrative systematic review on international databases were performed. Electronic databases including Web of Knowledge, Scopus, PubMed (including MEDLINE), and Cinahl were searched to retrieve articles published until end of May 2021. Original qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies written in English were included with a focus on PRN medicines management in healthcare settings. Research synthesis using the narrative method was performed to summarise the results of included studies. Results: Thirty-one studies on PRN medicines in healthcare settings by different healthcare providers were included after the screening of the databases based on eligibility criteria. They were published from 1987 to 2021. The majority of studies were from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom and were conducted in psychiatric settings. Given variations in their purposes, methods, and outcomes, the research synthesis was conducted narratively based on diversities and similarities in findings. Eight categories were developed by the authors as follows: "PRN indications and precautionary measures," "requirements of PRN prescription," "interventions for PRN administration," "monitoring and follow up interventions," "deprescription strategies," "healthcare professionals' role," "participation of patients and families," and "multidisciplinary collaboration." Each category consists of several items and describes what factors should be considered by healthcare professionals for PRN medicines management. Conclusion: The review findings provide insights on the practical considerations of PRN medicines management in clinical practice. The suggested list of considerations in our review can be used by healthcare professionals for optimal PRN medicines management and safeguarding patient care.

Patient participation in pro re nata medication in forensic psychiatric care: A nursing document analysis

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT

As-needed medication is commonly used for psychiatric inpatients' acute psychiatric and physical symptoms. Both patients and staff can initiate such medication. Earlier studies have focused on what and how as-needed medication has been used for psychiatric reasons. Little is known about how patients participate in planning, administration and evaluation of as-needed medication and its alternatives. Nursing documentation provides an insight into these practices.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE

Long-term inpatients have an active role in initiating as-needed medication. However, patients and staff may have divergent opinions on the need for medication. Alternatives to medication are mostly proposed by staff, and the feedback on as-needed medication events is usually provided from nurses' point of view.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Patients' views on decision-making and evaluation should be noticed and documented more. Patient participation can be promoted by planning as-needed medication and its alternatives beforehand.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pro re nata (PRN) medication is unscheduled and used for acute physical and psychiatric symptoms. Previous studies have focused on the what and how of psychotropic PRN administration. Initiators of PRN events and occasions in which PRN was denied have rarely been studied. Thus, knowledge of patient participation in PRN is fragmented.

AIM

We aimed to describe and explain long-term psychiatric inpatients' participation in relation to planning and initiation of, as well as decisions and feedback on their PRN medication treatment.

METHODS

We retrieved data from patients' (n = 67) nursing documentation in a Finnish forensic psychiatric hospital in 2018. Data were analysed using statistical methods.

RESULTS

All patients were prescribed PRN, and they initiated half of the 8,626 PRN events identified, in a 1-year period. Non-pharmacological strategies were rarely (6%) documented, and most of them were initiated by staff (76%). Feedback on PRN was usually from a nurse's viewpoint (71%). Nurses' feedback was positive (80%) more often than patients' (50%).

DISCUSSION

Patient participation needs to be recognized throughout the PRN process. Future research could continue to explore patient participation in planning and evaluating their PRN medication.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Patients participate in PRN by requesting medication. Their participation can be developed by supporting patients to communicate their choice of non-pharmacological methods, take the initiative for medication when needed and disclose their viewpoint on the effects of PRN.

A qualitative study of service users' experiences of mental health nurses' knowledge and skills in relation to medication

INTRODUCTION

The role of the mental health nurse in relation to medications remains complex. Despite an increasing focus on pharmacology within pre-registration nurse education, there is limited research exploring how mental health service users experience mental health nurses' knowledge and skills in relation to medication.

AIM

To explore the experiences of service users working with mental health nurses, in relation to the nurses' knowledge and skills associated with medicines management.

METHOD

The research prioritized the principles of co-production and was undertaken collaboratively with a researcher with lived experience. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with individuals who have accessed UK mental health services. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and subjected to thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes were generated from the data: inconsistencies in knowledge and practice, holistic therapeutic engagement and dialogical approach to medicines.

DISCUSSION

Service users may have a sense of uncertainty around the role of the nurse, potentially resulting in frustration and anxiety. However, mental health nurses also possess unique skills in relation to medicines management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The findings emphasize that service users value not only pharmacological knowledge but also unique skills in facilitating dialogue, prioritising shared decision-making and practical support in medicines optimization.

Let's Talk About Benzodiazepine Use: Inpatient Psychiatric Nurses Initiating the Conversation

Inpatient psychiatric nurses regularly dispense pro re nata (PRN) medication to individuals during their psychiatric hospitalization. International studies indicate that 66% to 90% of patients receive PRN medications during hospitalization, a large percentage of which are benzodiazepines (BZDs). Although clear opportunities exist for nursing intervention to reduce BZD use, there is little recent U.S. literature on inpatient psychiatric nurses' proactive approach to the issue. The current article examines the factors that support BZD use during inpatient hospitalization, including nurses' attitudes around BZD use, the perceived effectiveness of the medication to address difficult situations, and the barriers to using alternative nonpharmacological methods. Suggestions are presented for how nurses might begin dialogues with patients around BZD use and alternative strategies to manage distress. It is recommended that the specialty initiate a research agenda for reducing BZD use during inpatient psychiatric treatment and champion the issue as a focus for systematic improvement efforts. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(1), 33-38.].

Design and Implementation of an Analgesia, Sedation, and Paralysis Order Set to Enhance Compliance of pro re nata Medication Orders with Joint Commission Medication Management Standards in a Pediatric ICU

BACKGROUND

The use of pro re nata (PRN) medication orders increases nursing flexibility and efficiency of bedside patient care. However, misuse and/or ambiguity of PRN medication orders may increase the propensity for medication errors. The Joint Commission has Medication Management (MM) standards to mitigate such risks. This quality improvement study with a pre-post design aimed to increase compliance of PRN sedative and analgesic orders with use of failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and human factors risk assessment methodologies in a pediatric ICU (PICU).

METHODS

Staff education and a PICU analgesia, sedation, and paralysis order set, with predefined PRN orders, were implemented to enhance PRN medication compliance with Joint Commission MM standards. The primary goal was to achieve and maintain a weekly average compliance of ≥ 90%. Proportions of compliant PRN analgesic and sedative orders before and after interventions were compared.

RESULTS

Weekly average PRN orders compliance increased from 62.0% ± 9.2% to 77.7% ± 10.1% after staff education was implemented (p = 0.013). After order set implementation, weekly average compliance further increased to 93.2% ± 3.6% (p < 0.0001) and remained > 90% until the end of the study period.

CONCLUSION

Interdisciplinary synthesis using FMEA and human factors risk assessment is effective for identifying system failure modes associated with Joint Commission MM standard noncompliance. Implementation of an order set with forced functionality to include order information compliant with Joint Commission MM standards can enhance and maintain Joint Commission-compliant PRN medication orders.

Rates of PRN Medication Administration in Australian Residential Aged Care

OBJECTIVE

To investigate administration of pro re nata (PRN) medications and nurse-initiated medications (NIMs) in Australian aged care services over a 12-month period.

DESIGN

Twelve-month longitudinal audit of medication administrations.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Three hundred ninety-two residents of 10 aged care services in regional Victoria, Australia.

METHODS

Records of PRN and NIM administration were extracted from electronic and hard copy medication charts. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate medication administration per person-month. Poisson regression was used to estimate predictors of PRN administration.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up of 12 months (interquartile range 10-12 months), 93% of residents were administered a PRN medication and 41% of residents an NIM on 21,147 and 552 occasions, respectively. The mean number of any PRN administration was 5.85 per person-month. The most frequently administered PRN medications per person-month were opioids 1.54, laxatives 0.96, benzodiazepines 0.72, antipsychotics 0.48, paracetamol 0.46, and topical preparations 0.42. Three-quarters of residents prescribed a PRN opioid or PRN benzodiazepine and two-thirds of residents prescribed a PRN antipsychotic had the medication administered on 1 or more occasions over the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Most residents were administered PRN medications. Administration was in line with Australian regulations and institutional protocols. However, the high frequency of PRN analgesic, laxative, and psychotropic medication administration highlights the need for regular clinical review to ensure ongoing safe and appropriate use.

PRN Medicines Management for Psychotropic Medicines in Long-Term Care Settings: A Systematic Review

Many medications are prescribed and administered PRN (pro re nata, as needed). However, there are few integrative reviews to inform PRN psychotropic medication use in long-term care facilities and nursing or care homes. Accordingly, this integrative systematic review aimed to improve our understanding of PRN medicines management with a focus on psychotropic medications (antipsychotics, sedatives, anxiolytics, and hypnotics) in long-term care settings. Keywords relating to PRN in English, Norwegian, and Spanish were used, and articles published between 2009 and 2019 were retrieved. Based on the inclusion criteria, eight articles were used for data analysis and synthesis. This review offers a description of PRN prescription and administration of psychotropic medications in long-term care. Variations were observed in the management of PRN psychotropic medications based on residents’ underlying health conditions and needs, duration of use, and changes between medications and doses. Neither the reasons for PRN prescription and administration nor the steps taken to identify and manage any associated adverse reactions or adverse drug events were reported. Further initiatives are needed to improve PRN medicines management to explore factors that affect PRN prescription and administration and to develop appropriate PRN guidelines to prevent harm and improve the safety of people living in long-term care facilities.

The Administration of Pro re nata Medication by Mental Health Nurses: A Thematic Analysis

Pro re nata (PRN) medication is medication administered by nurses as required commonly in response to a patient's symptoms or behaviour including insomnia, agitation or anxiety. There is a paucity of research around the process of PRN administration in mental health settings in Ireland and international evidence suggests inconsistencies in practices. This study aimed to explore the process of PRN medication administration by mental health nurses. Using a qualitative descriptive design, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 19 mental health nurses in three acute inpatient units in one mental health service in Ireland. Most participants reported undertaking an assessment of the patient before administering PRN medication; however, many also reported having observed incidents of poor practice. There was evidence of some interdisciplinary sensitivities around instructions regarding the use of PRN medications between doctors who prescribed them and nurses who dispensed them. A need for service improvements were also identified including the use of alternative strategies to PRN use such as de-escalation techniques and education around psychopharmacology. PRN medication is commonly used in mental health settings; however, this study suggests that there is potential for improvement in relation to how it is prescribed and administered. Overuse of PRN medication has been associated with increased morbidity. Mental health nurses are required to carefully consider whether PRN medication is warranted in the first instance and how its use might impact on patients.

Changing practice using recovery-focused care in acute mental health settings to reduce aggression: A qualitative study

Consumer aggression is common in acute mental health settings and can result in direct or vicarious psychological or physical impacts for both consumers and health professionals. Using recovery-focused care, nurses can implement a range of strategies to reduce aggression and empower consumers to self-regulate their behaviour, when faced with challenging situations, such as admission to the acute care setting. Currently, there is limited literature to direct nurses in the use of recovery-focused care and how it can be used to reduce consumer aggression. Twenty-seven mental health nurses participated in this study. The constructivist grounded theory method guided data collection and analysis to identify categories that accurately described participants' experiences. Five categories emerged that described how nurses can implement recovery-focused care clinically to reduce the risk of consumer aggression: (i) identify the reason for the behaviour before responding; (ii) being sensitive to the consumer's trigger for aggression; (iii) focus on the consumer's strengths and support, not risks; (iv) being attentive to the consumer's needs; and (v) reconceptualize aggression as a learning opportunity. As the importance of promoting consumer recovery is now embedded in mental health policies internationally, nurses need to prioritize the application of recovery-focused care clinically. Further research to provide evidence-based outcomes supporting the use of recovery-focused care is needed.

Patient Safety and Pro Re Nata Prescription and Administration: A Systematic Review

PRN is the acronym for 'pro re nata,' written against prescriptions whose administration should be based on patients' needs, rather than at set times. The aim of this systematic review was to explore safety issues and adverse events arising from PRN prescription and administration. Electronic databases including Scopus, PubMed [including Medline], Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science and ProQuest were systematically searched to retrieve articles published from 2005 to 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

we included all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and studies with comparison groups, comparing PRN prescription and administration with scheduled administration, where safety issues and adverse events were reported. The authors independently assessed titles, abstracts and full-texts of retrieved studies based on inclusion criteria and risk of bias. Results were summarised narratively. The search identified 7699 articles. Title, abstract and full-text appraisals yielded 5 articles. The included studies were RCTs with one exception, a pre-test post-test experimental design. Patient populations, interventions and outcomes varied. Studies compared patient-controlled or routine administration with PRN and one trial assessed the effect of a practice guideline on implementation of PRN administration. More analgesia was administered in the patient-controlled than the PRN arms but pain reduction was similar. However, there was little difference in administration of psychotropic medicines. No differences between patient-controlled and PRN groups were reported for adverse events. The PRN practice guideline improved PRN patient education but non-documentation of PRN administration increased. This systematic review suggests that PRN safety issues and adverse events are an under-researched area of healthcare practice. Variations in the interventions, outcomes and clinical areas make it difficult to judge the overall quality of the evidence. Well-designed RCTs are needed to identify any safety issues and adverse events associated with PRN administration.