1. Introduction

 This protocol should be read in conjunction with the Trust ECT policy.

 

Outpatient ECT is where an individual attends for treatment from their home and will be directly discharged back home to the ongoing care of a responsible adult without the interim involvement of an inpatient ward or day hospital.  Factors to consider before referring patients for outpatient ECT:

 

• - Suicide risk.
• - Physical fitness to undergo and recover from a general anaesthetic.
• - Ability to retain information about their treatment and fulfil the safety requirements pre- and post-treatment.
• - Social support network, i.e. a responsible adult who can remain with them post-treatment, transport to and from sessions.
• - Input of care professionals, i.e. CMHT.
• - Compliance with the treatment plan, i.e. agreed attendance at the ECT clinic and medical reviews.

 

If there are any concerns over any of the above, these should be rectified prior to ECT treatment or consideration given to admitting the patients overnight on the day of the ECT treatment or a brief admission to hospital for the duration of the ECT treatment course.

 

     2.   Responsibilities of the referring team

 

The patient should be referred to the ECT nurse as soon as outpatient ECT is being considered (at least 72 hours before the first treatment).

 

The patients should be prepared for ECT in exactly the same way as an inpatient.

 

The patient should be met at or escorted to the ECT clinic by a qualified member of staff organised by the referring team.

 

The patient’s notes and ECT paperwork should be brought to the clinic on the day by the escorting staff member.

 

The ECT nurse will complete the pre-ECT checklist and observations.

 

The referring team must remain in regular contact with the ECT nurse during the duration of the ECT treatment course.

 

The outpatient information form attached must be completed and a copy given to the patient and/or carer to retain for future reference in addition to the Trust ECT Patient Information Leaflet.