title: Implementation of a rational pharmacotherapy intervention for inpatients at a psychiatric department.
abstract: The objective of the study was to develop, implement and evaluate two treatment algorithms for schizophrenia and depression at a psychiatric hospital department. The treatment algorithms were based on available literature and developed in collaboration between psychiatrists, clinical pharmacologists and a clinical pharmacist. The treatment algorithms were introduced at a meeting for all psychiatrists, reinforced by the project psychiatrists in the daily routine and used for educational purposes of young doctors and medical students. A quantitative pre-post evaluation was conducted using data from medical charts, and qualitative information was collected by interviews. In general, no significant differences were found when comparing outcomes from 104 charts from the baseline period with 96 charts from the post-intervention period. Most of the patients (65% in the post-intervention period) admitted during the data collection periods did not receive any medication changes. Of the patients undergoing medication changes in the post-intervention period, 56% followed the algorithms, and 70% of the patients admitted to the psychiatric hospital department for the first time had their medications changed according to the algorithms. All of the 10 interviewed doctors found the algorithms useful. The treatment algorithms were successfully implemented with a high degree of satisfaction among the interviewed doctors. The majority of patients admitted to the psychiatric hospital department for the first time had their medications changed according to the algorithms.
authors.affiliation: Amgros I/S, Dampfaergevej 22, København Ø, Denmark. lso@amgros.dl
authors.forename: Lene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sorensen
authors.forename: Bent
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Kurt B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Stage
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brøsen
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Damkier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003718:Denmark; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents