TY - JOUR T1 - A pilot study testing a medication algorithm to reduce polypharmacy JF - Quality and Safety in Health Care JO - Qual Saf Health Care SP - 55 LP - 58 DO - 10.1136/qshc.2007.024471 VL - 18 IS - 1 AU - L A Mistler AU - T A Mellman AU - R E Drake Y1 - 2009/02/01 UR - http://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/18/1/55.abstract N2 - 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. ER -