What happens to patients' psychotropic prescriptions after discharge from a state psychiatric hospital?
Continuity of pharmacotherapy was examined between a state psychiatric hospital and an urban community mental health center. Anecdotal reports from administrators as well as limited empirical research suggested that there would be breaks in the continuity of pharmacotherapy across the two agencies and that the high cost of newer medications would contribute to poor continuity. Clinical chart reviews of 242 discharges over a 5-year period revealed that less than 11% of atypical prescriptions and less than 20% of all psychotropic prescriptions were altered beyond dosage level changes after discharge from a state hospital. Analysis of reasons given (reported) for altering the medication regimen revealed a consistent pattern of changes based on clinical evidence or consumer choice.
Loveland
David
D
Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation, The University of Chicago, Illinois, USA. loveland@midway.uchicago.edu
Boyle
Michael
M
Godley
Mark
M
Gillette
Chris
C
D000328:Adult; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006783:Hospitals, State / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs