Occasional Pieces

A Reflection

E. Carthy

Medical student E. Carthy writes about her experience witnessing her first heart transplant.

P805

The Experience of the Management of Eating Disorders in a Pop-Up Eating Disorder Unit

CM. McHugh¹, M. Harron², A. Kilcullen¹, P. O’Connor¹, N. Burns¹, A. Toolan¹, E. O’Mahony²

McHugh et al state that anorexia nervosa affects 0.5% of the population, 90% being female.  It has the highest mortality of any psychiatric illness.  The authors describe the experience of managing 20 patients with a team consisting of a psychiatrist, physician, dietician, and a nurse.  They employed the MARSIPAN guideline (management of really sick inpatients with anorexia nervosa).  Among the sabotaging behavior witnessed was opening windows in order to shiver, vigorous page turning and tooth brushing, heavy hair accessories and faecal/urine loading on weigh days, use of computer key pads, and animated conversations.

P806