The Creation of a MEED Score Calculator to Aid MEED Score Completion in Patients With Eating Disorders

Abstract

Aims

The Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders (MEED) guidelines include a scoring system, the MEED Score, which is an all-age risk assessment of the physical safety and risk to life of patients with eating disorders. Accurate MEED Scores are therefore fundamental for patient safety. However, MEED Scores can be timely and confusing for unfamiliar professionals. The MEED Score Calculator is a spreadsheet consisting of a colour-coded table with each MEED Score category. Red, Amber and Green are selected based on the described parameter and totals are automatically calculated. Additional “Background and Instructions” and “Medical Management” pages explain how to use the calculator and how to manage medical issues arising from MEED Scores. The aims of the MEED Score Calculator project are to: 1) Increase confidence amongst healthcare professionals completing MEED Scores 2) Increase efficiency of completing MEED Scores

Methods

• • A preliminary survey questioning MEED Score confidence and efficiency was sent to healthcare professionals who complete MEED scores

• • The MEED Score Calculator was created using Microsoft Excel

• • Upon completion of the survey, the MEED Score Calculator was distributed via email

• • Three months later, the secondary survey was sent to users, focusing on calculator use and the impact on MEED Scoring efficiency and confidence

Results

• • 20 participants completed the preliminary survey

• • 10 participants completed the secondary survey

• • 60% of respondents now use the MEED Score Calculator when completing MEED Scores

• • 0% prefer not using the calculator (40% haven't completed a MEED Score since having Calculator access)

• • 60% of respondents report increased confidence completing MEED Scores

• • 89% of respondents report reduced time spent completing MEED Scores

• • *Result collection ongoing

Conclusion

The MEED Score Calculator increases confidence and efficiency of MEED scoring amongst healthcare professionals, achieving both aims.

Furthermore, due to positive feedback from eating disorder professionals, the MEED Score Calculator was included in the Kernow Local Medical Committee newsletter to raise awareness amongst Cornwall GPs. It is also due to be added to local clinical referral guidelines for GP referrals to eating disorder services. Additionally, we aim to make further improvements to the Calculator based on user feedback.

We hope for knowledge of this simple tool to spread throughout relevant primary and secondary care settings, making MEED Scoring more accessible and quicker for healthcare professionals. We anticipate that with this, we will see improvement in the robustness of physical monitoring and the quality of referrals. Thus, reducing risk of adverse physical health outcomes in this vulnerable cohort.