Researchers of a study highlighted the effectiveness of an annual one-hour Abnormal Involuntary Movement Score (AIMS) training session in enhancing the recognition and treatment of tardive dyskinesia (TD) in a psychiatry outpatient clinic. The study followed the Lean Six Sigma quality improvement model, encompassing define, measure, analyze, improve, and control steps. The research team focused on understanding why AIMS documentation was not consistently performed among psychiatry attendings and residents and identified preferred solutions to improve compliance.

The findings revealed that a one-hour AIMS training session was the most favored solution. Post-intervention analysis of a random sample of 60 patient charts of individuals on antipsychotic medications showed a substantial increase in AIMS documentation, from 3% before the intervention to 87% three months after. This significant improvement in screening rates is crucial given the severity of TD side effects, its prevalence, and the recent availability of effective treatment options. The study underscores the impact of targeted educational interventions in improving healthcare outcomes in psychiatric settings.

Reference: One-Hour Training Improves Documentation to Diagnose, Treat Tardive Dyskinesia. Physician’s Weekly. Published July 18, 2023. Accessed March 12, 2024. https://www.physiciansweekly.com/one-hour-training-improves-documentation-to-diagnose-treat-tardive-dyskinesia/