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Improving Cardiovascular Disease Screening in Community Mental Health Centers
Author(s) -
Maki Melissa,
Bjorklund Pamela
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2012.00348.x
Subject(s) - mentally ill , medicine , disease , mental health , intervention (counseling) , family medicine , psychiatry , mental illness
PURPOSE: Increased mortality among the seriously mentally ill is largely due to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This applied research project examined a process of CVD screening at a community mental health center, then implemented and evaluated an improved process of identifying and managing CVD risk factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: Patient records ( n = 130) were reviewed at baseline and 6 months posteducational intervention and implementation of new monitoring tools. FINDINGS: Statistical analysis showed significant process improvement ( p < .001). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Advanced practice registered nurses can design and implement improved CVD screening to mitigate morbidity and mortality in the seriously mentally ill.