Annex E - Checklist for Nursing Standards at ECT
Nursing Staff
- There should be one registered first level nurse with appropriate ECT and clinical experience to take overall responsibility for the management of the ECT clinic.
- A registered nurse should be responsible for the nursing care of the patient at each stage of the treatment process i.e. Preparation, treatment, recovery.
- There should be one nurse competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation for every unconscious patient.
- Each patient should be accompanied throughout the whole process by a nurse who knows them. This nurse should be aware of the patients legal status and, if they are detained, what their consent status is in relation to Part X of The Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 (or equivalent Act) i.e. the accompanying nurse should be aware of the legal status of the patient and what to do if the patient refuses treatment).*
- Depending on the numbers of patients receiving treatment, additional nurses may be required in the recovery room and there should be backup easily available to assist in any emergency situation.
- The donor ward or department for these nurses will depend on local situations and management.
| Questions for the audit visit / accreditation team | yes/no |
| i. Is there a first level registered nurse (or clearly identified group of nurses) responsible for running the ECT clinic with protected time? | [ ] |
| ii. Are there sufficient trained nurses available during ECT sessions? | [ ] |
| iii. Is each patient accompanied by a nurse who knows them and is aware of their overall care plan, legal status and consent to treatment? | [ ] |
Ref. derived from RCN and UKCC guidelines. 1998.
* Nurses working with people with a mental disorder; CNO(98)9.
