title: Systematic computerised cardiovascular health screening for people with severe mental illness.
abstract: Aims and method People with severe mental illness (SMI) die relatively young, with mortality rates four times higher than average, mainly from natural causes, including heart disease. We developed a computer-based physical health screening template for use with primary care information systems and evaluated its introduction across a whole city against standards recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for physical health and cardiovascular risk screening. Results A significant proportion of SMI patients were excluded from the SMI register and only a third of people on the register had an annual physical health check recorded. The screening template was taken up by 75% of GP practices and was associated with better quality screening than usual care, doubling the rate of cardiovascular risk recording and the early detection of high cardiovascular risk. Clinical implications A computerised annual physical health screening template can be introduced to clinical information systems to improve quality of care.
authors.affiliation: Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yeomans
authors.affiliation: Bradford District NHS Care Trust.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.affiliation: NHS West and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Commissioning Support Unit.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beedle