1. A pilot study testing a medication algorithm to reduce polypharmacy
- Author
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R E Drake, T A Mellman, and L A Mistler
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Polypharmacy ,Leadership and Management ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Collaborative Care ,Pilot Projects ,Symptom reduction ,Mental illness ,medicine.disease ,Psychotic Disorders ,Case-Control Studies ,Intervention (counseling) ,medicine ,Humans ,Female ,business ,Algorithm ,Algorithms ,General Nursing ,Antipsychotic Agents - Abstract
Background: Polypharmacy is common in the treatment of persons with severe mental illness, yet it is not an evidence-based practice. To address this, an attempt was made to reduce medications for patients already receiving polypharmacy during an episode of acute psychiatric hospitalization. Methods: A medication-reduction algorithm was developed , based on the best available evidence regarding indications for and efficacy of medications and principles of collaborative care. A feasibility pilot study was conducted using a matched case-control design for 12 patients treated with the algorithm and 12 patients treated as usual. Results: The intervention patients were discharged on significantly fewer medications than controls; symptom reduction and length of stay did not differ significantly. Conclusion: A collaborative approach to reducing polypharmacy may reverse the trend to add medications during hospitalization.
- Published
- 2009
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