A+KIDS, a web-based antipsychotic registry for North Carolina youths: an alternative to prior authorization.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

OBJECTIVE: The rise in use of antipsychotics among U.S. children is well documented. Compliance rates with current safety-monitoring guidelines are low. In response, the North Carolina Division of Medical Assistance established the Antipsychotics-Keeping It Documented for Safety (A+KIDS) registry. The initial objectives of the project were to successfully establish a Web-based safety registry and to obtain and evaluate clinical information derived from the registry. METHODS: In April 2011, A+KIDS began asking prescribers of antipsychotics for children age 12 and under to respond to a set of questions regarding dose, indication, and usage history. Antipsychotic registrations were examined by linking North Carolina Medicaid prescription claims to registry entries. Prescribers were classified into different types, and the number of patients and registrations per prescriber were examined. RESULTS: In the initial six months, 730 prescribers registered 5,532 patients, 19% below age seven. By month 6 of the registry, 72% of all fills were registered with the program. Top diagnosis groups for registry patients were unspecified mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and disruptive behavior disorders. Top target symptoms were aggression (48%), irritability (19%), and impulsivity (11%). Psychosis accounted for 5% of the target symptoms. Twenty-eight percent of children were receiving no form of psychotherapy. Twenty-five percent of all A+KIDS prescribers were responsible for 81% of the registrations. CONCLUSIONS: The A+KIDS registry initiative has been successful, as measured by rapid uptake, and is providing clinical information not available from claims data alone. Future efforts will allow for detailed examinations of antipsychotic utilization and further safety improvement.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Christian, RB; Farley, JF; Sheitman, B; McKee, JR; Wei, D; Diamond, J; Chrisman, A; Barnhill, LJ; Wegner, L; Palmes, G; Trygstad, T; Pfeiffenberger, T; Wegner, SE; Best, R; Sikich, L

Published Date

  • September 1, 2013

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 64 / 9

Start / End Page

  • 893 - 900

PubMed ID

  • 23728296

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1557-9700

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1176/appi.ps.002762012

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States