Issues in drug administration in a psychiatric rehabilitation unit

The aim of the investigation was to study medication-taking using dosetts by inpatients in a 25-bed rehabilitation assessment ward. Data were obtained on 39 predominantly schizophrenic patients over a three month period during which there were nearly 3,000 separate occasions when tablets were required to be taken. Recorded problems included: needing a reminder, requiring personal individual dispensing, refusal to take medication, taking from the wrong dosett slot, taking another patient's dose, and not taking medication home on weekend leave. Tablets were taken without problem on 78% of occasions; the most common problem noted was needing a reminder. Certain differences between days of the week and times of day were observed. Patients varied greatly in how satisfactorily they managed their dosetts. Those who managed poorly were rated worse on a wide variety of daily living skills and social behaviours. The implications for the return of patients to the community are discussed.