Five-year follow-up of an evidence-based prescribing intervention

Aims and method: We studied the impact of an evidence-based multidisciplinary intervention to reduce six sub-optimal aspects of psychotropic prescribing, combined as a Prescribing Practice Quality (PPQ) score over a 5-year follow-up period in a community mental health service. Results: Sub-optimal prescribing practices were significantly reduced after 1 year and these improvements were sustained at 5-year follow-up. The PPQ scores were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in both the overall population attending at each follow-up point as well as in the ever-present population (n=163). Use of high-dose antipsychotics and thioridazine ceased entirely; use of sedative hypnotic agents was less amenable to reduction. Clinical implications: Multifaceted interventions can achieve sustained improvements in prescribing practices in real-world settings.