The Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale is provided for patients taking anti-psychotic or other medications. The AIMS is used to identify abnormal movements that result from certain medications. The scale rates facial, oral, extremity and trunk movements. It can also be useful in assessing a patient's response to medication used to reduce extra pyramidal side effects.
You can access the AIMS scale from the Medications section of all notes and treatment plans. Click the AIMS button on the top of the window.
How to complete the AIMS
Directions for rating the scale appear at the top of the form. There are 12 items, each presented when you move to the next input box for the rating. A key for rating the items is displayed above the entry fields.
| • | Enter the date of assessment. |
| • | Enter ratings for each item using the number key (0 to 4) that is provided. |
Ratings range from 0-None to 4-Severe, or simply require a 1= No or 2=Yes response. After you enter a rating, the focus automatically changes to the next question. You can also move from question to question using the TAB key.
Select the Print button to print a report listing AIMS ratings and questions.
Save
Select Save to save the AIMS results to the database. You can view the completed scale again when you reopen the note or treatment plan.
Selecting Close returns you to the Medications section.
AIMS Ratings and Graph
You can review and graph the results of the AIMS. To access the ratings and graph, select the type of graph from the Patients...History menu.
Click on Graph at the top of the AIMS Results window to generate the graph. Click Vitals to view the ratings.
See Also