Book Description

Background: With an increasing number of severe eating disorders among adolescents, prevention and early identification is critical in helping these young people. Eating disorders appear with signs of depression, unhappy feelings or thoughts about body shape or size, food behaviors, family examples, life transitions, extracurricular activities, and psychological health. On the national, state, and local levels, the adolescent population has continued to experience many different problems associated with eating disorders. Logan River Academy, the project site serves many adolescents. Identification and screening can help facilitate proper referrals, where currently no interventions are being conducted. Evidence-Based Framework: Jean Watson's Human Caring Theory and The Model Knowledge Transformation by Stevens served as the framework for this quality improvement project. Methods: In an effort to guide proper resources and referrals, this project's main objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a screening tool for female adolescents who are at risk for eating disorders. Once IRB approval was obtained, a staff in-service occurred. The project manager conducted the screenings with the help of nursing staff and facility managers. Project patients were comprised of admited female adolescents to the residential treatment center. Patient chart audits were conducted four weeks prior to implementation to see if nutritional screenings had been conducted on female patients. Project outcomes measured on improvement of outcomes from pre to post implementation. Findings: This project measured the effectiveness of the nursing staff and managers administering the screening tool to female adolescents and if proper referrals were obtained for the at-risk participations. The project results provded the project manager with data and awareness of the importance of proper assessment tools and follow through the referrals for those needing additional medical interventions. Recommendations: Implementation of the SCOFF screening tool increased awareness to the facility medical department and staff in helping direct and refer patient to sufficient and proper medical care. Therefore, the project site was more equipped to meet the needs of the female adolescents at a mental health residential treatment center who screened positive for an eating disorder. It is recommended that facilities that serve the adolescent population incorporate proper screening tools for eating disorders and adequate attention be given to at-risk patients.