Impact of interdisciplinary team review on psychotropic drug use with persons who have mental retardation.

The process of medication and behavior review used at the Wyoming State Training School was described. The review team, a multidisciplinary group that included representatives from medicine, psychology, and residential living, examined each resident's entire regimen of medications every 6 months, with emphasis on psychotropic medications. Data on psychotropic drug usage in the individual patient was correlated with graphs indicating frequency of target behaviors. The goal was to find the least restrictive method of behavior management, evaluating effectiveness of medications and reducing dosages whenever possible. Significant reductions in use of psychotropic medications since 1979 was documented. Cost savings were also noted.