STATE OF CALIFORNIA—
HEALTH AND WELFARE AGENCY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
1600 - 9TH ST
SACRAMENTO, CA 95814 (916)654-2327

July 5, 1996

Dear [Name withheld]:

This is to acknowledge receipt of you letter of June 18, 1996, regarding your questions relating to the 1989 and 1990 electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) reports.

The criteria used for assessing memory loss is based upon reported incidents of memory loss by the patient. We do not track, nor does the department require tracking of, memory loss at the intervals you listed.

Deaths are reported if they occur during or within the first 24 hours after treatment or occur subsequently but are attributable to the treatment. Deaths occurring in the
recovery room following ECT are reported if they meet the criteria as stated.

In regard to your question as to what constitutes informed consent, please see the enclosed section (5326.2) of the Welfare and Institution Code which outlines the
criteria to give informed consent. Also enclosed is a copy of the standard written consent form promulgated by the State Department of Mental Health.

In 1991 the California State Legislature discontinued the requirement that the department publish such report on ECT. However, the Office of Human Rights (OHR) continues to compile annual statistical data of information gathered from the counties in California that administer ECT. This data is provided to OHR via the enclosed form, Convulsive Treatments Administered-Quarterly Report. This statistical data is also enclosed.

I hope the questions you raised in your correspondence have been satisfactorily answered. Should you need additional information, please contact me at the above
telephone number. 

Sincerely,

ANGELA M. LAZAROW, CHIEF
Office of Human Rights


Enclosures

Statistical Compilation of Electroconvulsive Therapy, State of California
Source: Office of Human Rights
California Department of Mental Health
Sacramento, California


Memory Loss listed as a "Complication Resulting from ECT"

1994 – 99.7% (629 of 631 pts complained of memory loss 3 months post ECT)
1993 – 99.6% (697 of 700 pts complained of memory loss 3 months post ECT)
1992 – 98.8% (249 of 252 pts complained of memory loss 3 months post ECT)
1991 – 96.2% (510 of 530 pts complained of memory loss 3 months post ECT)


Sex Ratio of Persons Receiving ECT

1994 – 67.8% Female
1993 – 70.2% Female
1992 – 68.1% Female
1991 – 70.2% Female
1990 – 66.2% Female
1989 – 68.1% Female

Age Ratio of Persons Receiving ECT

1994 – 50.6% Age 65 and over
1993 – 48.1% Age 65 and over
1992 – 48.8% Age 65 and over
1991 – 50.3% Age 65 and over

Source of Payment

1994 -- 49.0% Public Pay (Medicare or Medicaid)
1993 -- 48.1% Public Pay (Medicare or Medicaid)
1992 -- 48.8% Public Pay (Medicare or Medicaid)
1991 -- 53.0% Public Pay (Medicare or Medicaid)
1990 -- 49.5% Public Pay (Medicare or Medicaid)
1989 -- 45.8% Public Pay (Medicare or Medicaid)