Should Antipsychotics' Risks Be Accepted by Clinicians on Behalf of Patients to Achieve Benefits of Mitigating Older Adults' Behavioral Symptoms in Short-Staffed Units?

Abstract

This commentary on a case considers risks and benefits of pharmacological and nonpharmacological management of agitation in patients with dementia. Specifically, it considers beneficence and nonmaleficence in treatment decisions that affect both patients and staff as well as autonomy and surrogate decision making.