Audit on monitoring of metabolic parameters in patients treated with antipsychotics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: To determine if the unit guidelines regarding baseline monitoring of metabolic parameters, were adhered to in patients at University Psychiatry Unit, North Colombo Teaching Hospital, Ragama. METHODS: A clinical audit was conducted on all in-patients newly commenced on antipsychotics over a period of 12 months. Data was gathered by retrospectively reviewing bed head tickets. RESULTS: Total sample was 71 (34 males, 47.88%). Diagnoses included schizophrenia (21, 29.57%), severe depression (19, 26.76%), manic episode (14, 19.71%), acute and transient psychotic disorder (6, 8.45%), dementia (5, 7.04%) and others (6, 8.45%). Blood pressure was recorded in 56 (78.87%); weight in 17 (23.94%); FBC was monitored in 53 (74.64%); FBS in 50 (70.42%); serum cholesterol in 13 (18.30%); AST/ALT in 42 (59.15%); electrolytes in 45 (63.38%); blood urea in 32 (45.07%); 31 (43.66%) patients had ECG. Height, BMI and waist circumference were not recorded in any of the BHTs. CONCLUSIONS: Baseline metabolic screening of weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, serum cholesterol blood urea and ECG is inadequate. Adherence to unit guidelines is satisfactory in monitoring of FBC, FBS, electrolytes and AST/ALT.