The effect of a computerized best practice alert system in an outpatient setting on metabolic monitoring in patients on second-generation antipsychotics.

Prescribers may associate metabolic syndrome with schizophrenia or with use of SGAs specifically in thought disorders, even though these medications pose a risk for all indications. Higher rates of monitoring by resident physicians may have been due to spending more time with patients during the encounter and in documentation. Lastly, the active BPA was an effective tool to increase metabolic monitoring in patients taking SGAs. Continued education on the importance of regular metabolic monitoring should be implemented for all providers.