Atypical antipsychotic monitoring in the Kilkenny Mental Health Services

OBJECTIVES: To examine baseline testing and ongoing monitoring of cardiovascular and other risk factors in individuals prescribed atypical antipsychotic medications. METHODS: We derived a list of baseline and ongoing monitoring tests from the literature (Weight, BMI, blood pressure, U&E, LFTs, glucose, HbA1C, FBC, TFTs, prolactin, lipids & ECG) and then reviewed a random sample of 80 records of patients prescribed atypical antipsychotics and currently attending an Irish public catchment area service, for evidence of testing. RESULTS: Levels of testing for baseline tests ranged from 45% for blood pressure to 0% for BMI. Levels of ongoing monitoring tests ranged from 42.5% for U&E to 0% for BMI. Patients admitted to hospital were much more likely to have had testing. CONCLUSIONS: The need for baseline and ongoing monitoring of certain tests in patients prescribed atypical antipsychotics is increasingly accepted. Levels of such testing are currently quite low and need to increase.