Day ECT Services

NIMH provides Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) on an outpatient basis for those patients where ECT is indicated. These services are provided from Monday to Saturday including public holidays (except Sundays) free of charge at the outpatient ECT Unit (OPE Unit).

1. Patients who have already started on course of ECT as inpatients and new patients for whom ECT is indicated can be referred to OPE Unit from OPD/Clinics/Day Centres. 2. Patient should be referred only by a Consultant Psychiatrist attached to NIMH and he/she shall be responsible for the overall management of the patient. 3. A Psychiatrist attached to any other institution should only refer the patient for outpatient ECT through a Consultant Psychiatrist attached to NIMH , 4. Patients cannot be referred to outpatient ECT while receiving inpatient care at any other institution, government or private. 5. The referring Consultant should complete the pre ECT assessment form anaesthesia and ECT and ensure the patient arrives at OPE Unit with necessary investigations. (The patient should come fasting and with necessary investigations i.e. ECG, FBC for those above 35 years and other relevant investigations) 6. The patient may be returned if the pre ECT assessments are incomplete or if there is any contraindication for ECT/anaesthesia. The facilities for investigations will not be available for patients arriving at OPE Unit. 7. The patient‘s informed consent and the concurrence of the accompanying relative is essential for outpatient ECT. 8. The patient should arrive at the OPE Unit on or before 8.30 am accompanied by a relative in close who will be in close contact with the patient for the next 24 hours. 9. Personal transport should be available for patients to return home after ECT. 10. The On Duty Nursing Officer will inform the relevant On Call Medical Officer - Psychiatry on arrival of the patient for the completion of the records and for necessary examination. The Medical

Officers may contact the referring Consultant for any further clarifications. 11. The Duty Nursing Officer will accompany the patient to the theatre and priority will be given to the outpatients. The patient shall be monitored in the observation area by the recovery nurse. 12. The patient may leave the OPE Unit with the recommendation of the anaesthetist. An appointment for the next ECT should be made prior to leave. 13. Any patient developing complications during or after ECT shall be admitted to the NIMH under the care of the referring Consultant. 14. If a patient does not comply with the next appointment for more than a week the course is considered to be over unless the patient or a relative corresponds with the unit. 15. The Outpatient ECT Unit can accommodate only 02 patients at a time from each Consultant.