Application of the Antipsychotic Use in Dementia Assessment audit tool to facilitate appropriate antipsychotic use in long term care residents with dementia

Approximately 25% of all nursing home residents take antipsychotics for behavioral disturbances, despite limited efficacy and warnings against their use. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to test the utility of an educational in-service to facilitate the appropriate use of antipsychotics for nursing home residents with dementia. A single group pre/post design targeting the reduction of antipsychotic medications in older adults was guided by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory. Descriptive analyses were done to evaluate antipsychotic use and supporting documentation at baseline and 2 months following an educational intervention that focused on appropriate antipsychotic use, documentation requirements and non-pharmacologic interventions. The prescribing rate for antipsychotics showed a reduction from 20.3% to 15.4% and nursing documentation of non-pharmacological interventions increased from 16.7% to 75%. Assuring appropriate use of antipsychotics is currently mandated and is consistent with high quality, person centered care. This simple, yet individualized educational intervention and assessment can serve as a model for use in other long term care facilities.