Monitoring The Metabolic Side-Effects Of Atypical Antipsychotics

Aims and method National clinical guidance states that patients on antipsychotics should have their metabolic profile regularly monitored. The aim of this study was to assess whether we are effectively monitoring metabolic profiles and to improve the detection, communication and intervention of metabolic abnormalities among patients on atypical antipsychotics. We describe a full audit cycle.Results The audit resulted in a 24% increase in the number of patients on atypical antipsychotics being referred to the metabolic clinic. The number of abnormal results communicated to primary care showed a significant improvement of 25% (P50.001), and ultimately the number of patients who received intervention improved by 17% (P = 0.001).Clinical implications Audit feedback has been effective in changing clinical practice. The audit demonstrated the potential value of a metabolic clinic and shared care between primary and secondary practitioners for this group of high-risk patients.