Audit of physical health monitoring in children and adolescents receiving antipsychotics in neurodevelopmental clinics in Northumberland.

AIM: To ascertain performance against the standards set by National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on physical health monitoring of thirty children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotics in neurodevelopmental clinics in Northumberland and identifying areas for improvement in practice.

METHODS: The audit involved a review of recorded documentation pertaining to physical health monitoring in patient electronic records pertaining to children and adolescents attending neurodevelopmental clinics in Northumberland prescribed antipsychotics. Clients were also contacted by telephone if relevant documentation could not be identified or retrieved to confirm the details. 32 case notes were perused of which 2 were excluded as they had refused to have venepuncture which was documented in the electronic records.

RESULTS: The overall audit results demonstrated partial compliance with NICE guidelines on physical health monitoring in children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotics. Bi-annual recording of height, weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and review of side effects was completed in 100% of subjects. However, annual monitoring for blood tests including liver function, renal function full blood count as well as biannual monitoring of serum prolactin, serum lipid profile was completed only in 56% of subjects. Comparative baseline characteristics between the two groups (compliant and non-compliant with guidelines) found no differences based on any socio-demographic or clinical variables. However, the proportion of patients in the group compliant to guidelines was higher in the age group of 12-17 years as compared to < 12 years (70.58% vs 38.46%), though not statistically significant (χ2 = 1.236; P = 0.24).

CONCLUSION: Development of tailored and specific guidelines for physical health monitoring in children and adolescents prescribed antipsychotics taking into consideration clinical effectiveness and safety profile is likely to improve adherence rates.