Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
Improving Adherence to Atypical Antipsychotic Agent Screening Guidelines in Pediatric Patients: A Quality Improvement
Elishia L Featherston1, Sharolyn Dihigo2, Richard E Gilder3
11 Elishia L. Featherston, DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, University of Texas Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
Background:
Approximately 14% to 20% of children and adolescents have a mental health problem. Atypical antipsychotic agents are used to treat behavioral, emotional, and mental health problems in children and adolescents. A discrepancy between best practices and actual practices exists.
Objective:
The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase adherence above baseline, through implementation of a checklist, to recommended screening guidelines in children, ages 4 to 18, prescribed atypical antipsychotic agents over 12 weeks. Design/Results: Aggregate comparison of the mean ranks of scores were tested with the Mann-Whitney U test, U = 1,087.5, n1 = n2 = 70, total N =140, p < .001. Variables of body mass index, blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting glucose, fasting lipids, personal history, and family history were observed and tested using the chi-square with Fisher's exact tests and are significant at or above 99% confidence level ( p < .01).
Conclusion:
Educating mental health providers, child and adolescent psychiatrists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners on recommended screening guidelines and implementing a checklist had a measurable effect on increasing adherence to the recommended screening guidelines in a community mental health setting.
Related Concept Videos
Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
Stress and Mental Health
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Improving Translational Accuracy
Improving Translational Accuracy
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

