NCJ Number
228777
Journal
Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 292-301
Date Published
October 2009
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study examined Metabolic Monitoring Programs for second generation antipsychotics (SGAs).
Abstract
The New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJ DOC) and University Correctional Health Care (UCHC) successfully created and implemented, within an electronic medical record, a metabolic monitoring program for atypical antipsychotics. There were several keys to the program's success: support for the program by the NJ DOC and the director of psychiatry of the DOC and its health services unit; prioritization and management of the overall program by the medical director of UCHC; assignment of discrete tasks to individuals; a phased and deliberate rollout; measurement of compliance with the program; and follow-up at both individual and management levels. Coordination with nursing also was essential to the success of the program and required time and patience to ensure that the psychiatrists' orders would be implemented. Adherence to the program is satisfactory compared to other statewide programs and appears to have reached a plateau 9 months after the program's implementation. The NJ DOC uses an electronic medical record created by GE and called Centricity. UCHC and the NJ DOC modified this electronic medical record to create a metabolic monitoring program for SGAs. Figures and references