Routine use of hypnotics in a psychiatric hospital

الملخص EN

In a retrospective survey on the use of a hypnotic in cases admitted to the acute ward of the psychiatric Hospital-Bahrain, it was found that only 9 out of a total of 144 cases were administered such a drug.

The study included all admissions during the period 15th July 1990 till 15th October 1990.

In all cases the drug used was Nitrazepam 5 mg tablet.

Out of a total of 12 attending doctors only 3 prescribed prn hypnotic (Nitrazepam).

Eight patients were given the drug on the initiative of the nurses and one requested himself.