Summary
The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) and Royal College of Psychiatrists have published a spotlight audit on the use of psychotropic medicines in the care of people with dementia in general hospitals in England and Wales. Psychotropic medication may be used to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). This audit audit collected information about the following benchmark criteria:
- Whether such medication prescriptions were pre-existent on admission (83%) or were new prescriptions (17%).
- Whether prescriptions made in hospitals had reasons for the prescription recorded (57%); usually for agitation and aggression.
- Whether new prescriptions for psychotropic medicines were reviewed on discharge (80%).
Reference
Royal College of Psychiatrists (2020). National Audit of Dementia: Prescription of psychotropic medication initiated in hospital for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists [and] Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership Ltd. (HQIP), February 13th 2020.
Perhaps surprisingly:
“No evidence of hazardous prescriptions regarding dosages and interactions of psychotropic medications were reported”. p.3
