Scribd
Upload
19 views35 pages

ECT For Families

Uploaded by

Sannan Adil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
19 views35 pages

ECT For Families

Uploaded by

Sannan Adil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 35

WHAT PATIENTS AND

FAMILIES NEED TO KNOW


ABOUT ECT
What is Electroconvulsive Therapy

• A Safe and Effective treatment


that uses electricity to cause a
controlled seizure to improve a
patient’s mood.
What does it do?

• ECT is used to improve a


person’s mood
Benefits

• Most patient’s who get ECT


will have a real benefit from
this safe and effective
treatment.
Psychiatric Disorders Treated with
ECT

• Major Depression- Severe - with or


without psychotic features
• Bipolar disorder – currently depressed
or (rarely) manic
• Schizophrenia with mood component
• Catatonia
• Other Conditions
Who may receive ECT?

• ECT is safe for most people


• Geriatric
• Pregnancy
• Postpartum
• Those unable to tolerate medications
• People younger than 18 may receive
ECT with special considerations
How many treatments will be needed?

• The average number of


treatments is 8 to 12.

• Some patients need fewer or


more treatments.
Before ECT

• Patients are given a brief test of


memory and orientation before ECT to
assess orientation

• The treatment team will enlist the


family’s help in assessing patients
progress (this is vital information)
Practical aspects of ECT

• Patients are asked not to eat or drink from


midnight the night before treatment until they
return to the floor after treatment

• IV fluids are started the night before ECT –


Patients who are well hydrated have more
effective treatment with fewer head and
muscle aches
Practical aspects of ECT

• Patients can be given medications prior


to ECT if headache or nausea is a
problem.

• Some people may be given some of


their cardiac medications prior to ECT
with sips of water.
Preparation

• Patients will be asked to dress in a


gown for treatment – they may wear
their underwear or pajama bottoms.
• Non Slip socks are worn by the patient
• Patients are asked to remove jewelry,
watches, dental appliances and glasses
and place them in their room in a safe
place.
Preparation

• For the first treatment patients will go


later in the morning to allow time for all
pre-ECT checks to be done.

• Patients are asked to go to the


bathroom prior to treatment
Nursing Care

• A nurse and clinical assistant are


assigned to care for the patient before
and after the treatment on the unit
• The Nurse will determine when the
patient is ready to shower, dress and
eat
• Patients are frequently drowsy and at
increased risk of a fall immediately after
ECT
Medications during ECT

• The patient is put to sleep for


approximately 5 to 10 minutes with a
short acting anesthetic agent
• A muscle relaxant is used during the
procedure to stop the patient’s muscles
from moving during the procedure
In the ECT Area

In the ECT area the patient will be cared


for by:
• a psychiatrist
• a resident
• anesthesia team
• post anesthesia care nurses
In the ECT Area

• 2 Electrodes are placed on the patient’s


head to monitor brain waves
• Cardiac monitoring pads are placed on
the patient’s chest
• 2 additional electrodes are used to
produce the seizure after the patient is
under anesthesia
In the ECT Area

• Electrode gel is placed on the patient’s


head under the electrodes to prevent
any chance of a burn

• The patient’s brain waves are monitored


to assess seizure length and quality
In the ECT Area

• The patient’s cardiac and respiratory


status are monitored continuously
throughout the treatment and recovery
period
In the ECT Area

• The Patient will be in the treatment area


for approximately 15 to 20 minutes

• Patients are moved to the recovery


room and remain there until their blood
pressure, pulse and breathing return to
near their pre treatment levels. Usually
this takes about 20 to 25 minutes.
Common Side Effects

• The most common side effects patient


experience are headache, muscle ache
and nausea.
• Patients who experience these side
effects may be given medication before
and/or after ECT.
Major Side Effects

• Thinking and memory side – effects


are not uncommon
• Memory difficulty for the period
surrounding the treatment or course of
ECT is to be expected.
• The most common memory difficulty
experienced is remembering things
around the time of hospitalization.
Side Effects

• Patients should expect to wait a period


of time after ECT to resume driving or
operating heavy machinery

• Patients should consult with their


doctor prior to resuming driving
Family

• Family members may accompany


patients to the ECT suite and wait with
them.

• During the procedure, families are


asked to wait outside the ECT suite.
Family

• Families will be invited in to the


recovery room to support their family
member as soon as he or she is stable
and if there is room.
• Family members may call the unit to get
a post- ECT report if they are unable to
be present and if the patient gives
permission
After ECT

• Most patients will be drowsy and feel


“out of it” on the day of ECT

• Some people may feel like napping but


most will be able to see visitors and go
to groups by evening of the day of ECT
After ECT

• Because patients are at risk of falling


they are carefully monitored for
unsteady gait
• Patients may shower when their gait is
steady
• The gel used in ECT washes out with
water
How Families can help:

• You can help by: providing a gentle


reminder of the day and date and that
feelings of confusion are to be expected

• Please be sure to inform the nurse of


any patient concerns as they may not
have told the nurse
Response to ECT

• Most patients will need a few treatments


before they will show a response.

• Many people begin to look and act more


normally prior to their feeling better, this
can be frustrating for people.
Response to ECT:

• Some people show a response to ECT


in the hours after ECT that fades as the
day progresses.

• This positive response gradually lasts


longer between treatments
Ideas for Supporting the Person
receiving ECT

• Write down important dates, addresses


and numbers. This can be reassuring to
the patient.
• Establish a journal and ask visitors to
sign in and leave a note. This can help
the person recovering on the day of
treatment.
Ideas for Supporting the Person
receiving ECT

• Make sure the treatment team hears


about any pain or concerns of the
patient.
• Remind the person that thinking and
memory effects are to be expected and
receiving the full course of treatment is
important
Family

Your feedback regarding how your


family member is doing and
progressing is critical in assisting the
treatment team.
Family

• Please tell the nurse your opinion of


your family member’s functioning. The
nurse will ask about memory, mood and
the percent the patient is back to their
baseline level of functioning.
Family

• Please feel free to call the social


worker, resident physician or nurse with
any issues, concerns or questions you
may have.
In Conclusion…

ECT is a safe and effective treatment


for several psychiatric disorders. At
Johns Hopkins Hospital we strive to
provide a safe and supportive
environment for patients receiving ECT
treatments and their families.

You might also like