Antipsychotic and Other Psychotropic Medications in Special Care Dementia Units: Outcomes Using a Mini Behavior Rating Scale and Objective Medication Use Guideline

Abstract

National antipsychotic use in the long-stay residents has declined to 19% now. Efforts are underway to reduce this rate even further. In specialized dementia units, however, where patients with BPSD are concentrated, medication use rates are expected to be much higher. Additionally, other psychotropic medications are often utilized in the management of BPSD. There is scarcity of data regarding the use of all psychotropic medications and regarding prevalence of medication use and outcomes in specialized dementia units setting.