Outcome assessment of an antipsychotic drug algorithm: effects of the Mississippi State Hospital algorithm project.

Objective: This study evaluated a state psychiatric hospital's algorithm for prescribing antipsychotic drugs for inpatients with schizophrenia to determine whether its emphasis on cost efficiency is compatible with quality of care.

Methods: Outcomes were compared for patients who received medication that was algorithm adherent or nonadherent. Risperidone and ziprasidone were first-step oral antipsychotics.