Recording of clinical information in a Scotland-wide drug deaths study

The aim of this study was to analyse the nature and extent of data extracted from case files of deceased individuals in contact with services 6 months prior to drug deaths in Scotland during 2003. A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of 317 case notes of 237 individuals who had drug-related deaths...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford) 2010-09, Vol.24 (9), p.1289-1298
Main Authors: Baldacchino, A., Crome, IB, Zador, D., McGarrol, S., Taylor, A., Hutchison, S., Fahey, T., Hickman, M., Kidd, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Children
Cross-Sectional Studies
Drug Overdose - mortality
Drugs
Fatalities
Humans
Medical Record Linkage
Medical Records - statistics & numerical data
Medical sciences
Mental disorders
Minority & ethnic groups
Neuropharmacology
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Recording
Records as Topic - statistics & numerical data
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Scotland
Socioeconomic Factors
Studies
Substance-Related Disorders - mortality
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Summary:The aim of this study was to analyse the nature and extent of data extracted from case files of deceased individuals in contact with services 6 months prior to drug deaths in Scotland during 2003. A cross-sectional descriptive analysis of 317 case notes of 237 individuals who had drug-related deaths was undertaken, using a data linkage process. All contacts made with services in the 6 months prior to death were identified. Information on clinical and social circumstances obtained from social care, specialist drug treatment, mental health, non-statutory services, the Scottish Prison Service and Criminal Records Office was collated. More than 70% (n = 237) were seen 6 months prior to their drug death. Sociodemographic details were reported much more frequently than medical problems, for example, ethnicity (49%), living accommodation (66%), education and income (52%) and dependent children (73%). Medical and psychiatric history was recorded in only 12%, blood-borne viral status in 17% and life events in 26%. This paucity of information was a feature of treatment plans and progress recorded. The 237 drug deaths were not a population unknown to services. Highly relevant data were missing. Improved training to promote in-depth recording and effective monitoring may result in better understanding and reduction of drug deaths.
ISSN:0269-8811
1461-7285
DOI:10.1177/0269881109103797