Treatment of depression with outpatient electroconvulsive therapy

Depression is a common condition that often responds to a variety of treatment modalities. Concerns about antidepressant medications' safety and efficacy and individuals' lack of response or their problems complying with medication regimens have prompted a resurgence in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for specific mental health conditions. Outpatient maintenance ECT, performed under general anesthesia, is a safe, effective follow-up treatment for individuals with major depression who have undergone inpatient ECT. Individuals with bipolar disorders, catatonia, mania, and schizophrenia and those with Parkinson's disease also can benefit from outpatient ECT. Perioperative nursing care for individuals who undergo outpatient ECT is similar to the care provided to patients scheduled for ambulatory surgery. Successful performance of outpatient ECT requires collaboration by skilled perioperative nurses, psychiatrists, anesthesia care providers, affected individuals, and family members.