Automated review system for orders of psychotropic drugs

A computerized drug-review system both reviews drug orders and notifies clinicians of orders that are considered exceptions to some clinical guidelines. The impact of this system in a psychiatric center in which it has been used since December 1975 is examined in terms of the reduction of the percentage of orders of psychotropic drugs that involve polypharmacy or dose-range exceptions. The results show a substantial reduction in orders in exception since the implementation of the system.