New Clinical Practice Guidelines for Psychotropics in aged care
Monash University's Centre for Medicine Use and Safety (CMUS) led the development of new Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of Psychotropic Medications in People Living with Dementia and in Residential Aged Care. These were released for public consultation in 2022.
The guidelines were formulated in response to recommendations from the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and assisted by funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration. They include 14 conditional recommendations and 44 good practice statements related to the appropriate use of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants.
“Prescribers, nurses, pharmacists, aged care provider organisations and aged care staff all have responsibilities in ensuring the safe and appropriate use of psychotropic medications,” said CMUS Director and Guideline Clinical Chair Professor Simon Bell.
“The Guidelines recognise that psychotropic medications should not be used as an alternative to non-medication strategies and that non-medication strategies should continue alongside medication treatment.”
Read more about the research being undertaken in neuroscience and mental health here.
