Clinical audit is an essential part of modern health care delivery. This book developed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Research Unit, contains a selection of clinical audit projects within substance misuse services, all of which have been carried out in practice, with some still in progress. The projects have been divided into topic areas and formatted into structured abstracts for ease of use.

 

" A significant proportion of the audit presentations in this book are focused on organisational and management processes: speedy assessment and recording of informtion, initiation of treatment, monitoring and reviewing, as well as communications with other professionals and agencies about patients.

The findings indicate that interagency liaison is essential to mobilise the range of resources required to further improve services. The need for effective working relationships with accident and emergency units and psychiatric liaison services, especially in cases of deliberate self-harm, was highlighted.

It is well worth hearing what the contributors have to say, to take account of the lessons that they learned from their experiences, and to attempt to remedy the causes of frustrations and distress, while also acknowledging achievements."

Royal College of Psychiatrists' Substance Misuse Faculty