Antipsychotic prescribing in people admitted to hospital with dementia or delirium

Abstract

Objective To evaluate antipsychotic prescribing in people with dementia or delirium admitted to a large regional Queensland hospital. Methods A retrospective observational study analysing medical records of patients prescribed antipsychotics over 6 months. Results We audited a sample of 141 patients, 65 years or over (over 45 years for indigenous peoples) with dementia or delirium, without severe mental illness, prescribed antipsychotics. Over a third (35%) were prescribed antipsychotics prior to admission, with 73% prescribed a new antipsychotic in hospital. Only 23% received documented review of antipsychotic therapy. Under half (48%) had evidence of non‐pharmacological interventions as first‐line management. Sixty‐eight patients (48%) were discharged with antipsychotics; however, only 4% were provided an antipsychotic management plan. Conclusions Initiation and continuation of antipsychotics in patients with dementia or delirium in hospital is common, with infrequent review. There is significant potential to reduce prescribing antipsychotics in people admitted to hospital with dementia or delirium.

Factors Associated with Psychotropic Medication Use in People Living with Dementia in the Community: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Exploring Antipsychotic Use for Delirium Management in Adults in Hospital, Sub-Acute Rehabilitation and Aged Care Settings: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The presentation of findings is organised according to the research objectives. In order to address the risk of bias arising from any potential missing results in our synthesis, we contacted authors of one study [ 36 ] for additional information regarding their findings.…”