Nkeiruka Madubueze, Linda Sue Hammonds and Erik Lindfors
Background: Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is possibly a permanent involuntary movement condition that is caused by all antipsychotics including atypical antipsychotics and typical antipsychotics. TD is also a socially stigmatizing disorder. The most recommended management strategy for TD is prevention.
Objective: The aim was to improve quality of care for patients with the implementation of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) as a screening tool in adult patients aged 18 to 65 years old taking antipsychotic medications.
Methods/Design: This was a quality improvement project. A total of 60 adult patients were recruited but only 40 participated in the quality improvement project. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale as a screening tool was implemented in the outpatient private practice from September 15 through November 16, 2018. The screening tool was implemented by the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student during each patient visit, followed by a review of scores to increase screening for TD. The DNP student was able to improve patient outcomes by identifying TD and making referrals for treatment. The World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument (WHOQOL-BREF) was used to assess the quality of life of patients taking antipsychotics.
Results: The implementation of the AIMS in the routine monitoring for TD in adult patients improved patient outcomes with detection and treatment of tardive dyskinesia in adult patients taking antipsychotic medications with increased screening protocol from 0% to 80% within 12 weeks. The WHOQOL-BREF assessed the quality of life of adult patients taking antipsychotics and did not indicate any changes in the quality of life of patients.
Conclusion: Implementing the AIMS improved quality of care in adult patients taking antipsychotics in the outpatient private practice.