State mental health policy: Physical health screening in state mental health clinics: the New York health indicators initiative.

The New York State Office of Mental Health recently mandated that all adult outpatient clinics regularly monitor three health indicators--body mass index, blood pressure, and smoking status. After the population was defined, medical equipment was distributed. Regular training and quality improvement meetings were held to improve the electronic database for indicator data. Clinical directors were provided regular feedback on performance monitoring. Learning collaboratives allowed sharing of implementation strategies. After only four months of this coordinated effort, approximately 7,500 people with mental illnesses had been screened for the three health indicators across New York State.