Variations in secondary health resource utilisation post Clozapine initiation

This study looks at secondary care utilisation metrics as an effectiveness indicator of Clozapine initiation in 89 patients over the following year compared to the year prior to initiation. It was found that there was an overall reduction of outpatient use and crisis activity, with a marginal drop in bed usage. Medical outpatient use increased, as did physical health monitoring. Overall, compared with costs over the year preceding Clozapine initiation, an estimated saving per patient of £1800 was estimated over the first year post initiation, increasing to £3100 per patient if those with premorbid dissocial and substance misuse traits were excluded, raising the issue of better treatment targeting.