Masoud Ghaderi
PFD Report
Partially Responded
Ref: 2015-0283
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
Inconsistent record-keeping for service user engagement and the absence of a dedicated staff member for reviewing risk assessments prevented identification of changing patient risks. Ward rounds relied on inadequate, brief summaries, risking errors and omissions in care.
View full coroner's concerns
(1) There was inconsistence records of engagement with service users. The Engagement Observation policy of the Trust should be reviewed to consider how the policy operates and how engagements with service users are to be recorded in a consistent manner with appropriate staff training in application of the policy: (2) There was no one member of staff with overarching responsibility for reviewing any risk assessments Therefore any trends in changing risk, e.g: increasing risk of self-harm or suicide, could not be identified: The Trust should consider designating a member of staff with this responsibility in the same manner as it has one member of staff with responsibility for ensuring the care plan(s) are reviewed and maintained up-to-date.
(3) The Trust has a comprehensive single care record for each service user. However; the ward rounds rely only on a brief summary prepared by a nurse the night before when that nurse may not have made any entries in the care record nor would be present at the ward round. The Trust should review its planning and preparation for ward rounds so that reliance is not placed solely on a brief summary with the inherent risk of errors and omissions
(3) The Trust has a comprehensive single care record for each service user. However; the ward rounds rely only on a brief summary prepared by a nurse the night before when that nurse may not have made any entries in the care record nor would be present at the ward round. The Trust should review its planning and preparation for ward rounds so that reliance is not placed solely on a brief summary with the inherent risk of errors and omissions
Responses
Action Planned
The Trust Engagement and Observation Policy will be reviewed to ensure consistent recording of engagements. The Clinical Executive has commissioned an audit of reviewing risks across inpatient units and will design a framework of staff responsibilities. (AI summary)
The Trust Engagement and Observation Policy will be reviewed to ensure consistent recording of engagements. The Clinical Executive has commissioned an audit of reviewing risks across inpatient units and will design a framework of staff responsibilities. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Dr Harrowing Response to Regulation 28 Report MG 11/9/15 In response to your concerns we would like to provide You with a summary of both actions already taken and those planned There was inconsistence record(s) of engagement with service users. The Engagement and Observation policy of the Trust should be reviewed to consider how the policy operates and engagements with service users are to be recorded in a consistent manner with appropriate staff training in application of the policy- The Trust Engagement and Observation Policy is based on guidance in the recently revised Mental Health Act Code of Practice, (Chapter Safe and Therapeutic Responses to Disturbed Behaviour). The is also informed by the recently published NICE Guidance Violence and aggression: short-term management in mental health, health and community settings, (NICE 2015). The Engagement and Observation policy is clear on what engagement is, what observation consists of and where and when these observations should be recorded: Please see extracts from policy below: Introduction
1.1 Engagement and observation with a service user includes the reporting and recording of a service user' s location, mental state, well-being and behaviour; which is central to the role of inpatient staff. Observation provides an opportunity for positive engagement with service users to assess and respond to their individual needs to aid their recovery:
1.2 Every inpatient who is receiving care and treatment is observed at some level as a necessary part of their Care_ Where there are specific concerns, the service user may need to be placed on higher levels of observation for periods of time 2 Policy Statement
2.1. Engagement and observations are an integral part of a therapeutic plan. The service users care plan must specify the level of engagement and observation for them Chair Trust Headquarters Chief Executive Anthony Gallagher Jenner House, Langley Park, Chippenham SN15 1GG lain Tulley 'We are a teaching, learning and research trust; we aim to inform you about relevant opportunities, unless you tell uS otherwise. how 26, Policy
2.5. Service users and their carers be involved in the decision making and offered a clear rationale for the level of engagement and observation, unless their clinical presentation prevents this This assessment;, discussion and outcome will be clearly recorded.
2.8. Reductions in levels of observation may also be appropriate where it can be demonstrated that certain levels of observation are counter-therapeutic_ In any such case the risks and rationale must be clearly documented.
5. Content
5.1. Assessment and Planning of Engagement and Observations
5.2. All service users admitted to an inpatient unit will have their risk assessment updated by the community team responsible, with a stated reason for admission and purpose of admission. handover of care will be provided, which will inform the assessment of level of engagement and observation: The electronic record will be updated in all occurrences
5.8 The care plan will reflect any leave status / restrictions of a service user; the plan of care for undertaking observations when attending other therapeutic activities, i.e. whether to be escorted or not and who should undertake any escort; and when receiving visitors; with these decisions supported by documented risk assessment_ The monitoring of engagement and observation recording is through monthly management supervision This is when the line manager sits with individual clinicians and through their caseload on the ward and highlights any issue or remedial actions to take. However, this has not been consistently monitored by the Clinical Executive; our plan is to undertake monthly spot audits of the caseload supervision records to ensure consistent application of the Engagement and Observation This audit will be taken to the Integrated Governance Group (IGG) meeting for action (attendees include Quality Directors from all localities). These audits will commence from October 2015_ There are several Statutory and Mandatory Training Courses which cover the Engagement and Observation Policy; these are 'Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA), 'Violence and Aggression' (Older Peoples Units); 'Care Programme Approach' (CPA) A new 'training package for Suicide Prevention is currently designed. Local training in the implementation of the Trust Engagement and Observation Policy has been rolled out across all wards in Bristol following learning from root cause analysis process During January to April 2015 the Trust carried out targeted training in inpatient suicide prevention. This included training in engagement and observation. The Trust plans to continue this targeted training between July and November 2015 and to include this as part of mandatory Care Programme Approach and Risk Training for inpatient staff from December 2015 onwards_ 2 There was no one member of staff with overarching responsibility for reviewing any risk assessments: Therefore any trends in changing risk; eg: increasing risk of self-harm or suicide could not be identified: The Trust should consider designating a member of staff with this responsibility in the same manner as it has one member of staff with responsibility for ensuring the care plans(s) are reviewed and maintained up-to-date: The Trust has in place processes and procedures for the co-ordinating of risk assessment information for inpatients_ On day to basis risk is constantly assessed and reviewed and changes to the care plan implemented accordingly, including reviews of engagement and observation levels, response to treatment; leave and time away from the ward and activity involvement including occupational therapy _ The Nurse in Charge is responsible for ensuring that any to changes in risk are responded to appropriately, including involvement of the wider multi-disciplinary team where appropriate Ward Teams are made up of a variety of members of the multi professional team including Nurses_ Doctors and Allied Health Professionals A review of care provided by the Multi Professional Team is undertaken on a weekly basis The Trust operates a functional model for acute inpatient areas and therefore each ward has a designated Consultant: The Consultant is responsible for co-ordinating the weekly multi-disciplinary ward review and ensuring that the review considers information from all will goes Policy: being day day day
professionals, and carers. The chair of this meeting should ensure that all changes in risk are considered and plans are reviewed and amended appropriately. This process encourages the identification of trends in changing risk Staff performance against the expected standards of practice are reviewed through the Trust appraisal and supervision processes_ The Clinical Executive appreciates the Coroners comments re responsibility for reviewing and as a result have commissioned an audit of reviewing risks across inpatient units. The Clinical Executive will take the information from this audit and design a framework of staff responsibilities for all staff to follow.
3. The Trust has a comprehensive single care record for each service users. However; the ward rounds rely only on a brief summary prepared by a nurse the night before when that nurse may not have made any entries in the care record nor would be present at the ward round: The Trust should review its planning and preparation for ward rounds s0 that reliance is not paced solely on a brief summary with the inherent risk of errors and omissions. When undertaking ward rounds, the care team have access to the patients full and comprehensive care record. However, it is accepted that there are occasions when the nursing summary is not as comprehensive as it should be A full review of nursing models of care is to be undertaken by the Nursing Directorate with recommendations generated for a standardised model of care delivery (ie. named professional team nursing structure)_ This will facilitate a more comprehensive recording of a patients presenting needs state at any given time Also a review of the existing multi professional weekly review meetings has been undertaken: The findings and recommendations will be taken to the Integrated Governance Group, chaired by the Executive Director of Nursing and Quality in October
2015. The review was completed by the Heads of Quality for each of the six local delivery units.
1.1 Engagement and observation with a service user includes the reporting and recording of a service user' s location, mental state, well-being and behaviour; which is central to the role of inpatient staff. Observation provides an opportunity for positive engagement with service users to assess and respond to their individual needs to aid their recovery:
1.2 Every inpatient who is receiving care and treatment is observed at some level as a necessary part of their Care_ Where there are specific concerns, the service user may need to be placed on higher levels of observation for periods of time 2 Policy Statement
2.1. Engagement and observations are an integral part of a therapeutic plan. The service users care plan must specify the level of engagement and observation for them Chair Trust Headquarters Chief Executive Anthony Gallagher Jenner House, Langley Park, Chippenham SN15 1GG lain Tulley 'We are a teaching, learning and research trust; we aim to inform you about relevant opportunities, unless you tell uS otherwise. how 26, Policy
2.5. Service users and their carers be involved in the decision making and offered a clear rationale for the level of engagement and observation, unless their clinical presentation prevents this This assessment;, discussion and outcome will be clearly recorded.
2.8. Reductions in levels of observation may also be appropriate where it can be demonstrated that certain levels of observation are counter-therapeutic_ In any such case the risks and rationale must be clearly documented.
5. Content
5.1. Assessment and Planning of Engagement and Observations
5.2. All service users admitted to an inpatient unit will have their risk assessment updated by the community team responsible, with a stated reason for admission and purpose of admission. handover of care will be provided, which will inform the assessment of level of engagement and observation: The electronic record will be updated in all occurrences
5.8 The care plan will reflect any leave status / restrictions of a service user; the plan of care for undertaking observations when attending other therapeutic activities, i.e. whether to be escorted or not and who should undertake any escort; and when receiving visitors; with these decisions supported by documented risk assessment_ The monitoring of engagement and observation recording is through monthly management supervision This is when the line manager sits with individual clinicians and through their caseload on the ward and highlights any issue or remedial actions to take. However, this has not been consistently monitored by the Clinical Executive; our plan is to undertake monthly spot audits of the caseload supervision records to ensure consistent application of the Engagement and Observation This audit will be taken to the Integrated Governance Group (IGG) meeting for action (attendees include Quality Directors from all localities). These audits will commence from October 2015_ There are several Statutory and Mandatory Training Courses which cover the Engagement and Observation Policy; these are 'Prevention and Management of Violence and Aggression (PMVA), 'Violence and Aggression' (Older Peoples Units); 'Care Programme Approach' (CPA) A new 'training package for Suicide Prevention is currently designed. Local training in the implementation of the Trust Engagement and Observation Policy has been rolled out across all wards in Bristol following learning from root cause analysis process During January to April 2015 the Trust carried out targeted training in inpatient suicide prevention. This included training in engagement and observation. The Trust plans to continue this targeted training between July and November 2015 and to include this as part of mandatory Care Programme Approach and Risk Training for inpatient staff from December 2015 onwards_ 2 There was no one member of staff with overarching responsibility for reviewing any risk assessments: Therefore any trends in changing risk; eg: increasing risk of self-harm or suicide could not be identified: The Trust should consider designating a member of staff with this responsibility in the same manner as it has one member of staff with responsibility for ensuring the care plans(s) are reviewed and maintained up-to-date: The Trust has in place processes and procedures for the co-ordinating of risk assessment information for inpatients_ On day to basis risk is constantly assessed and reviewed and changes to the care plan implemented accordingly, including reviews of engagement and observation levels, response to treatment; leave and time away from the ward and activity involvement including occupational therapy _ The Nurse in Charge is responsible for ensuring that any to changes in risk are responded to appropriately, including involvement of the wider multi-disciplinary team where appropriate Ward Teams are made up of a variety of members of the multi professional team including Nurses_ Doctors and Allied Health Professionals A review of care provided by the Multi Professional Team is undertaken on a weekly basis The Trust operates a functional model for acute inpatient areas and therefore each ward has a designated Consultant: The Consultant is responsible for co-ordinating the weekly multi-disciplinary ward review and ensuring that the review considers information from all will goes Policy: being day day day
professionals, and carers. The chair of this meeting should ensure that all changes in risk are considered and plans are reviewed and amended appropriately. This process encourages the identification of trends in changing risk Staff performance against the expected standards of practice are reviewed through the Trust appraisal and supervision processes_ The Clinical Executive appreciates the Coroners comments re responsibility for reviewing and as a result have commissioned an audit of reviewing risks across inpatient units. The Clinical Executive will take the information from this audit and design a framework of staff responsibilities for all staff to follow.
3. The Trust has a comprehensive single care record for each service users. However; the ward rounds rely only on a brief summary prepared by a nurse the night before when that nurse may not have made any entries in the care record nor would be present at the ward round: The Trust should review its planning and preparation for ward rounds s0 that reliance is not paced solely on a brief summary with the inherent risk of errors and omissions. When undertaking ward rounds, the care team have access to the patients full and comprehensive care record. However, it is accepted that there are occasions when the nursing summary is not as comprehensive as it should be A full review of nursing models of care is to be undertaken by the Nursing Directorate with recommendations generated for a standardised model of care delivery (ie. named professional team nursing structure)_ This will facilitate a more comprehensive recording of a patients presenting needs state at any given time Also a review of the existing multi professional weekly review meetings has been undertaken: The findings and recommendations will be taken to the Integrated Governance Group, chaired by the Executive Director of Nursing and Quality in October
2015. The review was completed by the Heads of Quality for each of the six local delivery units.
Sent To
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
- Care Quality Commission
Response Status
Linked responses
1 of 2
56-Day Deadline
11 Sep 2015
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 22nd April 2014 commenced an investigation into the death of Mr. Masoud Ghaderi age 54 years_ The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on Ith June 2015_ The conclusion of the jury was that the medical cause of death was I(a) Hanging and the conclusion as to the death was that of "Suicide. Insufficient communication, documentation and staffing led to inadequate overarching care, creating an environment in which Mr. Ghaderi was able to take his own life"
Circumstances of the Death
From around August 2013 Mr: Ghaderi suffered from a depressive episode: He was initially treated by his general practitioner and prescribed antidepressants and then referred to a consultant psychiatrist However; during November and December 2013 Mr Ghaderi, who suffered with diabetes mellitus, took an overdose of insulin on three occasions on each of which he required hospital admission. Following the third overdose of insulin on 26th December 2013 Mr; Ghaderi was further assessed by the mental health team and on 31st December 2013 he was admitted as an informal patient to the Lime Unit; Callington Road Hospital, Bristol. Consultant Psychiatrist; told the Inquest that had Mr. Ghaderi not agreed to an informal admission to hospital or had later sought to leave the hospital without permission he would have been assessed under the Mental Health Act 1983 for formal admission On admission Mr. Ghaderi was noted to be suffering with a severe depressive episode and his mood remained generally low throughout his admission: There was concern with regard to his risk of suicide although despite having constant suicidal thoughts Mr. Ghaderi denied any intention to act on those thoughts However; on 11th February 2014 the nursing staff questioned him with regard to a red mark around his neck Mr. Ghaderi admitted he had tied his phone charger cord around his neck and said he did so to see what it was like remained concerned with regard to her husband's mental health particularly with regard to statements he made to her which she interpreted as an indication of his suicidal intent, She told the Inquest that she had voiced those concerns to and other members of staff on Lime Unit; On 3rd April 2014 Mr. Ghaderi underwent a session with Consultant Psychologist; During that session Mr. Ghaderi made reference to there being two weeks before everything would be resolved: onsidered that he may have_been referring_to the resolution of financial matters which_had continued to cause being him concern. However _ Mr. Ghaderi left the session abruptly and avoided any questions with regard to any suicidal intent: As a result who had observed a marked change in Mr: Ghaderi's mood and level of engagement; believed Mr; Ghaderi could have been referring to plans to take his own life In evidence stated that she advised the nurse in charge of her concerns and the heightened risk of suicide However, Iould not recall having that conversation with During the morning of 1Oth April 201-wwas carrying out routine observations and went to Mr. Ghaderi's room at 11.06 hours. He had last been seen at 10.40 hours that morning on Lime Unit by Health Care Assistant looked through the observation window into the room and saw Mr. Ghaderi apparently standing and facing the door of his ensuite bathroom: She noted the bedroom light was off and the curtains were drawn_ As she entered the room she discovered that Mr. Ghaderi was hanging by a belt from door of the bathroom_ Assistance was immediately summoned and resuscitation attempted The emergency services arrived shortly afterwards and Mr. Ghaderi was taken to the Bristol Royal Infirmary and he was admitted to the Intensive care Unit Mr. Ghaderi did not recover and life support was withdrawn with the agreement of the family: He was pronounced dead at 13.47 hours on 12th April 2014.
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and believe your organisation has the power to take such action:
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.