A retrospective study on implementing EBP guideline to improve provider assessment of metabolic complication among patients on antipsychotic medication

Unmonitored and continued use of antipsychotic medication by psychiatric patients has been linked to an increase of various metabolic complications in this population (Kioko et al., 2016; Lee et al., 2016). While antipsychotic medications are useful in the management of the psychiatric disorders, their deleterious side effects can lead to adverse medical conditions such as cardiovascular diseases as well as Type II diabetes. Overall, apart from the impact of the psychiatric disorders, the occurrence of these other physical illnesses can diminish the life expectancy as well as raise Healthcare costs associated with such individuals. Screening and early diagnosis of these metabolic complications can improve the clinical outcomes for these patients (Ruiz et al., 2016). Therefore, the implementation of guidelines useful in monitoring possible metabolic complications can be useful in minimizing such repercussions. The objective of this paper is to outline the recommended EBP guidelines for monitoring the safety and effectiveness of antipsychotic medications in psychiatric patients to reduce the level of occurrence of the common metabolic syndromes associated with these medications. A retrospective study based on chart review of past medical records of patients with metabolic complications associated with the use of antipsychotic medications in the Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital was employed in this study to outline some of the significant evidence-based guidelines on the management and monitoring of patients on antipsychotic medications. This study presented evidence-based recommendations for the management and monitoring of occurrence of metabolic complications in patients on antipsychotic medications to reduce the occurrence of metabolic complications.DNPIncludes bibliographical reference