Effect of ethnic differences on the use of prn (as required) medication on an inner London medium secure unit

Previous studies have found significant differences between white and black patients in relation to the management of violent incidents, but little has been written about the influence of ethnic differences on the practice of prescribing and administering prn (emergency) medication. A retrospective case note audit of 42 patients admitted between 1995 and 2000 to one regional secure unit was conducted. We found that there was no association between prescription of prn medication and ethnic background but a younger age was significantly associated with the prescription but not administration of prn medication. These results confirmed previous results showing that there was an association between prescription of prn medication and younger age. An incidental finding was a low rate of written risk assessment and infrequent justification of need for prn medication in the admitting junior doctors medical notes. This should be addressed in the teaching of junior staff.