Benchmarking the quality of schizophrenia pharmacotherapy: A comparison of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the private sector

摘要: Background Comparing quality of care between large health systems is important for management. This study used measures the pharmacotherapy patients with schizophrenia and compared these across a sample from Department Veterans Affairs (VA) private sector. Methods A random all diagnosed in VA during fiscal year (FY) 2000 was identified using administrative data. In sector, MEDSTAT's MarketScan database. For both groups, use antipsychotic medications studied were constructed, including whether prescribed any medication, one newer atypical antipsychotics, dosing adhered to established treatment recommendations. These two groups logistic regression models, controlling age, gender, comorbid diagnoses. Results Most diagnosis (82% 73% sector) received an usually drugs. Patients more likely be dosed above recommendations, less below Overall, differences proportion according recommendations not statistically different (60% VA, 58% sector). Conclusions Differences mixed, outperforming sector respect some doing worse on others. Implications provision Although comparable this study, there room improvement systems. Treatment are based best available clinical evidence effectiveness safety. Quality might improved better adherence policies Relatively low rates may due lack awareness among prescribing physicians, or belief that inadequate. To extent caused by should developed disseminate information encourage appropriate medications. further research Further needed understand physician decisions physicians feel drugs inadequate, refine