Improving eating disorder identification in a psychiatric outpatient clinic using the SCOFF+ binge eating question screening tool: a quality improvement project

Abstract

Eating disorders are a set of diagnoses that significantly impact the world, families, and individuals. Anorexia nervosa, one type of eating disorder, has the highest mortality rate of the psychiatric diseases, second to opioid use disorder. They are also significant contributors to suicide. Currently, minimal proactive screening of eating disorders is occurring despite the severe medical and psychiatric complications that are associated with eating disorders. The Doctor of Nursing Practice quality-improvement project aimed to implement the SCOFF+BED screening tool during all initial evaluation appointments at an outpatient psychiatric practice. The project was implemented for seven weeks, from January 22, 2023, to March 15, 2023, with participation from eight psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and their scheduled patients. The following procedures took place: (1) A pre-survey assessing provider confidence was given; (2) Stakeholders were educated on the most recent eating disorder practice guidelines; (3) Providers administered the SCOFF+BED during all initial psychiatric evaluations; (4) Providers further assessed, treated, and referred patients with positive scores based on their discretion; (5) A post-survey assessing provider confidence was given. Findings were consistent with the overall prevalence of eating disorders in the United States. Individual eating disorder prevalence was only consistent with the national averages for binge eating disorder. Additionally, following the educational presentation for providers, post-survey results were increased when compared to pre-survey results; however, they did not meet the aim of the study.