Safe and Effective Antipsychotic Medication Use

Holly Harmon

Medications, when used appropriately, can help promote the resident’s highest practicable mental, physical, and psychosocial well-being. Medications used inappropriately can compromise a resident’s well-being and even cause death. Ensuring that residents receive medications that are needed and appropriate for their medical condition is a critical component of safe and effective care.

The Advancing Excellence (AE) medications goal has initially focused on antipsychotic drugs. AE resources provide staff with alternative non-pharmacological interventions for residents who otherwise would likely be treated with antipsychotic medications.

 To access the AE medication tracking tool and use it to gain a better understanding of the ways antipsychotic medications are used at your center: https://www.nhqualitycampaign.org/goalDetail.aspx?g=med#tab2 

This tool will help you follow the dose and scheduling of these medications, behavioral and symptom changes, interventions attempted, and gradual dose reduction attempts.