A modest body of research has emerged documenting the characteristics of 170 PICU populations in the UK (2006). No specific data is available about Crisis Management of patients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) in Female PICUs.

To offer the first service evaluation project in the UK of the BPD group in PICU and to review compliance with the NICE guidelines, ‘Borderline Personality Disorder: Treatment and Management’, 2009.

To measure rates of compliance with NICE guidelines as a gold standard.

Retrospective cross sectional review of patient records.

The project included data of 46 admissions (from 2007 to 2010). Ninety-seven percent of patients were White British. The median length of involvement with mental health services prior to the first admission to ECH was 12 years. Seventy percent of patients showed mixed engagement with services. All patients presented with complex needs, all were detained under the Mental Health Act. The commonest primary reason for admission was self harm or threatening behavior. Seventysix percent of patients were provided with the copy of the multi-disciplinary care plan at the time of admission. Antipsychotic polypharmacy and prescription of antidepressants was reduced during the admission. In 80% of admissions discharge planning was discussed with the patient and documented. In 54% of discharges the care coordinator was involved and at discharge 26% of patients were informal.

Specific target criteria in the NICE guidelines were not complied with fully. For 85% of admissions the initial purpose of admission was fully achieved.