title: Enhancing Quality in Psychiatry with Psychiatrists (EQUIPP)--results from a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To pilot a pharmacist-led, patient centered medication management program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, single arm trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatients at least 65 years old, proxy available if demented, and on two or more psychiatric medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A clinical pharmacist completed a baseline medication review and made evidence-based recommendations that were implemented by the pharmacist after discussion with the physician. The pharmacist made a minimum of monthly contact for 6 months to review medications and related issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary outcome was the change in number of medication related problems over time (3 and 6 months) as defined by a predetermined classification system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 27 patients was 75 years, 10 of whom required a proxy to participate. On average, patients had nine chronic conditions and were taking 14 medications. The mean number (SD; range) of medication related problems at baseline was 4.1 (2.2; 0-8) and at 3 and 6 months were 3.6 (2.4, 0-9) and 3.4 (2.1; 0-8), respectively. Most follow-up problems were new (80% and 89% at 3 and 6 months, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a pharmacist to deliver a medication management program was feasible and addressed existing problems. New problems, however, developed over a short interval (3-6 months), suggesting that ongoing intervention is required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Electronic address: lea_watson@med.unc.edu.
authors.forename: Lea C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Biostatistics, UNC Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Esserman
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacy Practice and Experiential Education, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Jena L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ivey
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Carmen L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Care Systems, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Management, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School, Chapel Hill, NC; Center for Health Services Research, Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Morris
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D059065:Medication Reconciliation; D054539:Medication Therapy Management; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000592:standards*; D011787:Quality of Health Care
keywords: Medications; pharmacist; quality
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