P235 - IS MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDER COMPLIANT WITH CURRENT UK GUIDELINES? EXPERIENCE FROM TERTIARY HOSPITAL.

P235

IS MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH EATING DISORDER COMPLIANT WITH CURRENT UK GUIDELINES? EXPERIENCE FROM TERTIARY HOSPITAL.

K. Klimova¹, H. McKenny², G. GILKES^2,*, S. LEWIS¹

¹GASTROENTEROLOGY, ²UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS PLYMOUTH NHS TRUST, PLYMOUTH, United Kingdom

 

Rationale: Medical hospital admissions for eating disorders (ED) in the UK increased. In 2022, new guidelines were published to help healthcare professionals identify medical emergencies in ED (MEED). Adult ED emergencies in our hospital are admitted to Gastroenterology ward. 

Methods: Mixed method service evaluation. Step 1 - qualitative questionnaire for all ward staff exploring their knowledge of guidelines, previous training and free answers on ward patient care. Step 2 - quantitative audit of all ED admissions to our ward January-November 2024.

Objective 1 - assess compliance with MEED guidelines.

Objective 2 - identify strenghts and barriers to effective inpatient care.

Results: < 70% ward staff were familiar with guidelines and attended ED training. Staff valued collaborative approach and management of refeeding syndrome; no mental health support on ward, lack of out-of-hours policy and high patient numbers were identified as barriers to care.

Admission audit: All patients admitted during working days were assessed by MDT within 24-48 hours of admission. Refeeding syndrome was considered corrected in 100% patients. However, MDT plan was not always followed which together with lack of specialised ED beds resulted in prolonged admissions.

 

 

Conclusion: This service audit shows collaborative MDT approach resulted in good adherence to current ED guidelines. Lack of specific training or ward mental health support lead to ​nursing staff and junior doctors' frustration due to complexity of these patients. ​

References: Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2022) Medical emergencies in eating disorders: Guidance on recognition and management. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/college-reports/college-report-cr233-medical-emergencies-in-eating-disorders-(meed)-guidance.pdf?sfvrsn=2d327483_63, accessed 7th April 2025

Disclosure of Interest: None declared