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Background: This study evaluated a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary intervention to reduce the use of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics in nursing homes – the "RedUSe" (Reducing Use of Sedatives) project. Methods: The RedUSe project was a controlled trial conducted in 25 nursing homes in Tasmania, with 13 intervention and 12 control homes. A series of pharmacist-led strategies were provided to intervention homes including two medication audit and feedback cycles, educational sessions for staff and an interdisciplinary sedative review. Data on psychotropic drug use at each nursing home were collected utilizing a customized computer program at baseline, 12 and 26 weeks. The RedUSe project was registered as a controlled trial at the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, registration number: ACTRN12608000221358. Results: For each measure, an average of 1591 residents were audited. Over the six-month trial, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of intervention home residents regularly taking benzodiazepines (31.8% to 26.9%, p < 0.005) and antipsychotics (20.3% to 18.6%, p < 0.05), whereas control home psychotropic use did not alter significantly. For residents taking benzodiazepines and antipsychotics at baseline, there were significantly more dose reductions/cessations in intervention homes than in control homes (benzodiazepines: 39.6% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.0001; antipsychotics: 36.9% vs. 20.9%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: RedUSe led to a significant reduction in the proportion of residents in nursing homes taking benzodiazepines and antipsychotics, and a significant increase in the number of dose reductions of these agents. Our findings suggest that a multi-faceted program, coordinated through a community pharmacy, can offer an effective approach in reducing psychotropic use in nursing homes.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	antipsychotic, benzodiazipine, nursing homes, RedUSe project, psychotropic medication use,pharmacists
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences
Research Field:	Clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Westbury, JL (Associate Professor Juanita Breen)
UTAS Author:	Jackson, SL (Dr Shane Jackson)
UTAS Author:	Gee, PR (Mr Peter Gee)
UTAS Author:	Peterson, GM (Professor Gregory Peterson)
ID Code:	58742
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	53
Deposited By:	Pharmacy
Deposited On:	2009-10-21
Last Modified:	2010-03-19
Downloads:	8 View Download Statistics