Metabolic screen and intervene: improving mental health inpatient metabolic monitoring

Abstract

Objective: To assess rates of metabolic monitoring in patients prescribed antipsychotic medications in the psychiatric inpatient setting and the impact education can have regarding monitoring compliance. Method: Two identical audits were undertaken at a NSW mental health inpatient service before and after a campaign designed to educate mental health workers about the importance of metabolic monitoring. Results from both audits were compared for statistically significant improvements in monitoring rates. Results: Rates of monitoring plasma lipids increased from 21.7% to 78.8% ( p < 0.01) and rates for plasma glucose increased from 20.8% to 73.7% ( p < 0.01). There were no statistically significant changes in rates of monitoring body mass index (83.0% and 77.1%, respectively), waist circumference (36.8% and 43.2%, respectively) and blood pressure (99.1% and 100%, respectively). Conclusion: This study has shown that rates of metabolic monitoring in the inpatient setting can be improved with a relatively low-cost education intervention. While absolute rates remain low, outcomes suggest that it may be worthwhile trialling further modes of education and repeating this education in cycles.