Implementing the Use of a Brief Cognitive Assessment on Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia in an Acute Psychiatric Facility

Cognitive impairments are prevalent in schizophrenia. The use of a brief cognitive assessment allows for early detection and improves functional outcomes. The purpose of this quality improvement study was to implement the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) into the nursing admission assessment for patients who are diagnosed with schizophrenia or related disorders. Nurses administered the MoCA in 67.3% of eligible patients. The high acuity and uncooperative states were the major barriers to screening. The majority of nurses reported confidence in their ability to perform the screening and believed that the results triggered clinical actions to address psychosocial or cognitive deficits.