ABSTRACT
During COVID-19 there has been increased pressure on mental health services internationally. In this report, we compare admissions to one acute medical unit (AMU) for patients with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic (April, May and June 2020) to the same period of time in 2019. We found an increase in this cohort of patients in 2020, both as an absolute number and as a proportion of the medical take. We outline some strategies which we have adopted locally to improve care for this patient group.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Health Personnel/psychology , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Health Services/statistics & numerical data , Mental Health , Pandemics , Patient Admission/statistics & numerical data , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/psychology , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Incidence , Mental Disorders/etiology , Mental Disorders/psychology , Retrospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The effect of local anesthesia to the nasal mucosa on olfactory acuity is the subject of some debate. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of local anesthesia on olfactory perception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six healthy participants, five males and one female, were chosen from the academic population of Cardiff University. Olfactory perception was monitored at intervals following administration of 4% lidocaine to the nasal mucosa in the volunteers. Lidocaine was administered using a nasal spray as used in routine otolaryngological investigations. The olfactory stimulus (amyl acetate) was delivered directly to the nostril using an olfactometer. Olfactory perception was determined by the use of a 13 trial, forced choice scoring task. RESULTS: Lidocaine caused a small, transient reduction in olfactory perception. The maximum reduction in olfactory perception (35%) was achieved by 60 mg lidocaine 15 min following administration, but perception could be increased to almost normal levels by increasing the odor stimulus dose. Detection of the lowest stimulus strength returned to normal levels after 30 min. CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal application of lidocaine, caused a reduction in olfactory perception, however, did not abolish the olfactory function 15 min following administration. Physiological/psychometric olfactory testing would not be precluded under these circumstances, and the effects of anesthesia could be overcome by increasing the stimulus strength.
