Methods This study employs a cluster randomized design with eligible study sites including VA Medical Centers with 300 patients receiving a new antipsychotic prescription in the first six months of FY08. Twelve sites have been recruited and matched according to level of organizational readiness-to-change. Randomization to intervention or control group was conducted within each of the six site-pairs. Study participants include VA employees involved in the monitoring and management of patients treated with antipsychotics at participating sites. The intervention involves researchers partnering with clinical stakeholders, offering tailoring in local implementation strategies to address barriers to metabolic side-effect monitoring and management. External facilitation to support, problem-solve and refine implementation will be provided for a six-month implementation phase. The effectiveness of the EBQI/F intervention combined with the ongoing national quality improvement initiative at six sites (intervention sites) will be compared to six matched comparison sites exposed to the national quality improvement initiative alone (control sites).