Eating Disorders - Medical Work-up and Stabilization Pathway

Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value care for patients by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.

Clinical Pathways:

• Eating Disorders: Work-up and Pre-admission Algorithm
• Eating Disorders: Inpatient Management - Admission Assessment Algorithm
• Eating Disorders: Inpatient Management – Nutritional Rehabilitation Algorithm
• Eating Disorders - Medical Work-up and Stabilization Synopsis (provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway)

Additional tools associated with this Clinical Pathway:

• SCOFF screening tool

Inclusion and exclusion criteria:

• Inclusion:
  • Patients with concern for eating disorder with an associated medical complication:
    • Electrolyte abnormalities
    • Bradycardia
    • Hypotension
    • Pericardial effusion
    • Superior mesenteric artery syndrome
    • Anemia
    • Renal injury
    • Erosion of dental enamel and dental caries
    • Delayed wound healing
    • Persistent metabolic alkalosis
    • Neutropenia
    • Height stunting
    • Secondary amenorrhea
    • Dizziness/Syncope
    • Hypoglycemia
    • Abnormal liver function tests
    • Frequent fractures or stress fractures
  • Exclusion:
    • Patient avoids eating due to medical issues
    • Patient avoids eating due to a mental health condition other than fear of weight gain or body image concerns
    • Patient avoids eating due to sensory issues
    • Patient is medically stable

Committee members involved in the development:

• Amanda Dietz, APRN, FNP-C, PMHS | Adolescent Medicine | Committee Chair
• Jamie Reasoner, MD | Hospital Medicine | Committee Member
• Emily Reilly, LSCSW, LSCW | Social Work | Committee Member
• Rhonda Sullivan, MS, RD, SCP, LD | Nutrition | Committee Member

Patient/Family Committee Member:

• Patient and Family Advisory Committee for Eating Disorders | Reviewer

EBP Committee Members:

• Todd Glenski, MD, MSHA, FASA | Anesthesiology, Evidence Based Practice
• Andrea Melanson, OTD, OTR/L | Evidence Based Practice

Publication dates:

• Finalized date: 07/2023
• Next expected revision date: July 2026

If you have any questions regarding this content or identify a broken link, please email evidencebasedpractice@cmh.edu. 

These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.