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Review of psychotropic medication in Tasmanian residential aged care facilities
Citation
Westbury, J and Beld, K and Jackson, S and Peterson, G, Review of psychotropic medication in Tasmanian residential aged care facilities, Australasian Journal on Ageing, 29, (2) pp. 72-76. ISSN 1440-6381 (2010) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
The definitive published version is available online at: http://interscience.wiley.com
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1741-6612.2010.00409.x
Abstract
Aim: To examine psychotropic medication review practices in residential aged care facilities.
Methods: Psychotropic medicine use data were collected from residents from 40 residential aged care facilities throughout Tasmania. As an indication of review practices, the measure was repeated at 33 of the original facilities a year later.
Results: A total of 2389 residents' medication records were examined in 2006. Regular doses of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines were taken by 42% and 21% of residents, respectively. Medication data were available for 1307 of the residents in 2007. Over 60% were taking the same antipsychotic or benzodiazepine agent, at the same dose in 2007, as they were in 2006. Dosage reduction or cessation occurred in less than a quarter of the residents.
Conclusion: The utilisation of psychotropic medication is high in Tasmanian residential aged care facilities. Attempts to reduce psychotropic doses happen infrequently. Further research is required to establish the barriers to appropriate psychotropic medication review in this setting.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | antipsychotic, benzodiazepine, medication review, psychotropic, residential aged care facilities |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences |
Research Field: | Basic pharmacology |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Westbury, J (Associate Professor Juanita Breen) |
UTAS Author: | Jackson, S (Dr Shane Jackson) |
UTAS Author: | Peterson, G (Professor Gregory Peterson) |
ID Code: | 64043 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 9 |
Deposited By: | Pharmacy |
Deposited On: | 2010-06-21 |
Last Modified: | 2011-04-17 |
Downloads: | 2 View Download Statistics |
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