Abstract
Background: Older studies have shown inconsistency between diagnosis and prescribed medication. There have been no recent published studies to check on improvement.
Aim: To compare prescription with diagnosis.
Method: Discharge letters of adult psychiatry in-patients gave information on diagnosis and prescribed medication. Appropriateness was based on the British National Formulary (BNF).
Results: Seventy-four percent of prescriptions were broadly compatible with BNF guidance; 3% were above BNF limits and 23% were off-licence compared to recorded diagnosis.
Conclusions: Greater attention should be paid to recording diagnosis/diagnoses; off-licence prescribing should be explained to patients and colleagues.
Declaration of interest: None.
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