Toolkit Inspiration

In 2013/14, Alberta’s Seniors Health Strategic Clinical Network launched the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics (AUA) project at 11 early adopter long-term care (LTC) sites across the province. The goal was to reduce antipsychotic use by 50%, which they successful achieved.

As a result of their success, the AUA project was introduced to all 170 Alberta LTC facilities (14,500 beds) in 2014/15, and is being shared with 165 Supportive Living facilities, and piloted in 9 acute care sites.

Antipsychotic use in Alberta LTC facilities has decreased by 30% in the past 2.5 years. Just 17.9% of Alberta’s long-term care residents (without a chronic mental health condition) are using antipsychotic medications, compared to the national average of 22.7% (Quarter 2, 2016). Families are pleased that loved ones are more alert, independent, communicative and happy. Care teams report residents are calmer, more active and easier to care for.

The When Psychosis Isn’t the Diagnosis toolkit contains the key ingredients of their approach.