2.5.7
The external conditions accompanying the restraint may not be frightening to the patient.
During the period of restraint, this type of detention must be continually questioned.
The form on “Restrictions on the freedom of movement”, recommended by the NPM, must
be created.
Correct medication? – Garsten correctional institution
In the summer of 2013, the commission found that 38 of the 64
inmates in detention for mentally ill offenders at Garsten correctional
institution received 50 mg of Praxiten on the day of its visit. It was as
difficult to understand this prescription as it was to understand why the
anti-psychotic drug Zypadhera was being dispensed. Both were
discussed with the institution’s psychiatrist.
Medication questioned
At the recommendation of the NPM, the relevant department head at
the prison administration and the medical superintendent made an
inspection. The medical superintendent and the psychiatrist who
worked at the institution discussed the prescriptions of psychiatric
drugs criticised by the commission separately. As the Austrian Court of
Auditors also concluded (Report 2014/15 Item 15.3), medication
prescriptions can be verified in the future with the aid of the monthly
controlling reports of Bundesrechenzentrum GmbH (the IT-provider for
Federal Departments in Austria).
Medical superintendent
visits institution
In this case, the medical superintendent was able to verify that the
psychiatric drugs were prescribed on the basis of the specifically
diagnosed psychiatric syndromes in accordance with ICD 10.
Obligatory follow-up visits will review whether the patients respond to
the medications. If necessary, the therapy will be changed.
On-site enquiries
According to the medical superintendent, the administration of
psychiatric drugs by the psychiatric service at Garsten correctional
institution conforms to the principles of evidence-based medicine and
has been discussed with the relevant professional bodies. In the
opinion of the office of the medical superintendent, there were no
identifiable irregularities. Nevertheless, the NPM is of the opinion that
the meeting with the physician contributed to sensitising her and
making her aware of the problem.
Final meeting with the
psychiatrist
Anomalies in the prescription of psychiatric drugs can be quickly detected with the aid of the
“Medication Management” controlling module.
The monthly reports are to be screened for prescription practices.
If necessary, the office of the medical superintendent must ask the institution’s physician for
clarification.
109
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