b'ANTIPSYCHOTICSReducing the inappropriate use of antipsychotics How Extendicares efforts led to a40% reduction in just one year Dr. Ahmed Vanker Dr. Matthew MorganT he Journal of the AmericanExtendicares work in antipsychoticwas 18.7% in 2021 but had climbed Medical Directors Associationreduction continues and thisto 21% in early 2022. It was apparent recently published a study onsuccessful model has since beenthat a quality improvement study was the dramatic results of Extendicaresrolled out across more of theneeded to ensure proper medication quality improvement program toorganizations Ontario homes. management, safety and quality of life reduce inappropriate antipsychoticTwo of the studys authorsfor our residents, so we took action.use over a one-year period.Dr. Ahmed Vanker, and Dr. Matthew Morgan, Chief Medical Officer DR. MORGAN: We want to ensure The Canadian Institute for Healthat Extendicarespoke with that our residents are not on Information publicly reports onLong Term Care Today about theantipsychotics if they dont need the percentage of long-term careorganizations commitment toto be. Our goal was to reduce residents taking antipsychotics whoreducing inappropriate antipsychotic use in each and every dont have symptoms of psychosisantipsychotic prescribing.home and to foster regular, evidence-(Potentially Inappropriate Use ofbased reviews of residents receiving Antipsychotics in Long-Term CareDR. VANKER: Across the sector,antipsychotic medications to ensure indicator). While Extendicare has beenwhile antipsychotic use had been onresident safety and quality of life.making progress on antipsychotica downward trend prior to 2020, the reduction for years, this study triallednumbers rose during the pandemicA common misconception is that a new approach across 34 of theand remained at those levels as long- there should not be any residents on organizations Ontario homes.term care homes across the countryantipsychotics. These medications returned to normal operations.are a valuable class of drug when The result: The inappropriate use ofmedically necessary and appropriate antipsychotics dropped from 21%In the 34 homes in our study,for people who are experiencing in 2022 to 12.2% in 2023 across thethe overall rate of potentiallycertain behavioural and psychological participating homes. inappropriate antipsychotic usesymptoms of dementia (BPSD), 12 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2025'