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Psychiatric And Mental Health Services Operational Policy
supervision, bedside teaching, ward rounds, seminars and continuing medical nursing professional education.
Research is an essential component of evidence base medicine whereby bringing knowledge to practice and vice-versa.
Quality improvement helps psychiatrists to continuously strive to provide better management of patients. Accreditation, credentialing, privileging,
patient satisfaction surveys, risk management, root cause analysis, clinical audits, Key Performance Indicators KPI and National Indicator Approach
NIA are some of methods we implement to improve our service.
6.5.10 Other Issues
6.5.10.1 Conidentiality
Professionalisms should be maintained at all time and every client entitles privacy and conidentiality.
6.5.10.2 Consent And Agreement
Most admission to the ward is voluntary therefore informal consent should be taken. Each centre may have departmental
SOP which needed to be in-cooperated as understanding of treatment agreement to prevent any misunderstanding once a
treatment plan has been formulated. In case of any voluntary admission, the patient can leave the treatment anytime until
unless if
he or she is not stable then can only be discharge care of the carer or after informing the carer. All patient admitted
under the dual diagnosis preferably need to follow SOP for other psychiatric disorder under the mental health act.
6.6 GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
6.6.1 Introduction
In Malaysia, the older persons contribute 5.7 of the total population. It is estimated by 2020 it contribute to 10 of the population. National
Health Policy for the older persons deine older person as those who are 60 years old and above By then Malaysia is categorized as aged nation
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Psychiatric And Mental Health Services Operational Policy
according to United Nations deinition. There are needs for more effective, coordinated and co
mprehensive mental health care operational policy for older persons. There will be increased in the use of public, private and voluntary health
services by the older persons.
6.6.1.1 In Malaysia there will be:
• A signiicant increase in the incidence of
degenerative brain diseases or dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• An increase in the numbers and life span of people with pre-existing psychiatric disorders.
• Increased prevalence of physical disorders and disabilities which give rise to social and psychological
problems.
To provide better services for older person we need adequate human resources ranging from specialist in geriatric psychiatry and the allied health who are
trained in geriatric. At the moment the number is far below the norm, however some places we still need the psychiatrist to assess and manage geriatric
psychiatry patient.
6.6.2 Objectives Of The Geriatric Psychiatry Services
• To provide effective and eficient assessment, treatment and
support to care for older persons with mental health within their familiar surroundings in the community as long as
possible.
• To ensure care is monitored and coordinated in conjunction
with general health and community support services. •
To provide health education and health promotion programs for older person with a psychiatric disorder and their carers,
which incorporate information on aging, mental illness and strategies for healthy adjustment to these processes.
6.6.3 General Principles
Geriatric Psychiatry services are provided primarily for people aged 60 years and above with the following conditions:
• People with psychiatric or severe behavioral dificulties
associated with organic disorders such as dementia.
