Survey of Venlafaxine prescriptions following the 2004 NICE guidelines on depression
Clinical Governance: An International Journal
ISSN: 1477-7274
Article publication date: 14 August 2007
Abstract
Purpose
This survey was initially conceived as an audit to highlight the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (UK), guidelines on depression in 2004. In particular, the audit was to examine the guidance on the prescription of Venlafaxine, which required an electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood pressure measurements.
Design/methodology/approach
A retrospective case note review by the authors, of 123 patients prescribed Venlafaxine within Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust was completed.
Findings
Nearly 50 per cent of patients had a blood pressure measurement prior to starting Venlafaxine compared to only 6 per cent of patients receiving an ECG.
Practical implications
The audit cycle could not be completed following the publication of a further set of guidelines that removed the need for ECG recordings.
Originality/value
This paper highlights how difficult it is for clinicians to keep up‐to‐date, and implement rapidly changing guidelines.
Keywords
Citation
Kinnair, D. and Bruce, J. (2007), "Survey of Venlafaxine prescriptions following the 2004 NICE guidelines on depression", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 12 No. 3, pp. 188-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777270710775909
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited