Reducing Antipsychotic Medications: Developing a Systematic Process.

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Psychopharmacology
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Antipsychotic medications carry significant risks and have unproven efficacy for dementia-related behaviors.
• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched initiatives in 2012 to reduce antipsychotic prescribing for dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide systematic approaches for reducing antipsychotic medication use in dementia care.
• To offer strategies for better management of dementia-related behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Review of corporate-level initiatives.
• Examination of individual practitioner and facility-level processes.
• Case examples of medication reduction and behavior management.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of systematic processes can decrease antipsychotic use.
• Alternative behavior management strategies can be effectively employed.
• Multi-level interventions are key to successful reduction.

Conclusions:

• Reducing antipsychotic medications in dementia is feasible and beneficial.
• Systematic approaches at corporate and facility levels are crucial.
• Improved dementia behavior management can be achieved without increased medication risks.