Undertaking clinical audit, with reference to a Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health audit of lithium monitoring
Author(s)
Paton, C
Barnes, TR
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Audit is an important tool for quality improvement. The collection of data on clinical performance against evidence-based and clinically relevant standards, which are considered by clinicians to be realistic in routine practice, can usefully prompt reflective practice and the implementation of change. Evidence of participation in clinical audit is required to achieve intended learning outcomes for trainees in psychiatry and revalidation for those who are members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. This article addresses some of the practical steps involved in conducting an audit project, and, to illustrate key points, draws on lessons learnt from a national, audit-based, quality improvement programme of lithium prescribing and monitoring conducted through the Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health.
Date Issued
2014-06
Date Acceptance
2013-06-11
Citation
BJPsych Bulletin, 2014, 38, pp.128-131
ISSN
2056-4708
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Start Page
128
End Page
131
Journal / Book Title
BJPsych Bulletin
Volume
38
Copyright Statement
© 2014 The Authors. This is an open-access article published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Identifier
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25237523
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England