Authors

Juan Manuel Bahamonde García1, Marta Otaduy Zubia2, Carmen Bosque Martínez3

Position

1Enfermero Especialista en Salud Mental. Servicio Especializado en Salud Mental y Discapacidad Intelectual. Hospital Universitario de La Princesa. Madrid2Enfermera Especialista en Salud Mental. Unidad de Hospitalización Breve. Hospital Universitario de La Princesa. Madrid3Psiquiatra. Médico de Familia. Servicio Especializado en Salud Mental y Discapacidad Intelectual. Hospital Universitario de La Princesa. Madrid

Contact address

Marta Otaduy Zubia. C/ General Pardiñas, 99. 28006 Madrid.

Contact email: marta.otaduy@salud.madrid.org

Abstract

The Spanish population with disability amounts to 3.8 million persons (approximately 8% of the total); 9% of them presents recognized intellectual disability (ID). Over half of those persons with ID have not been evaluated comprehensively: genetic and organic screening, psychopathological evaluation, and assessment of their level of disability.
The Unit Specialized in Mental Health for Patients with Intellectual Disability is a unique device in the Community of Madrid, part of the Psychiatry Unit of the Hospital Universitario de La Princesa. It is worth highlighting that behaviour problems are the main reason for consultation in this unit, and the main cause of incorrect psychopharmacological treatment.
The objective of this article is to present the Working Protocol for Nurses within the interdisciplinary team of said Unit, with the objective to help to ensure a holistic approach for the population managed at the Unit Specialized in Mental Health for Patients with ID and their main caregivers. Aspects of care for this population are addressed, stating the specific interventions and activities within the team by the Nursing Professional specialized in Mental Health.
The presence of the Nursing Professional Specialized in Mental Health guarantees an adequate care and screening for the most prevalent organic conditions in this population. In the immediate future, it will be necessary to go even deeper into the need for coordination with the different professionals involved in care for this population.

Keywords:

intellectual disability; Mental Health; psychiatry; Nurse Specialized in Mental health; advanced practice nursing; SESM-DI; UHE-DI

Versión en Español

Título:

Rol del profesional de Enfermería en una unidad de atención a personas con discapacidad intelectual y problemas de salud mental