Optimizing Prescribing of Antipsychotics in Long-Term Care (OPAL): A Stepped Wedge Trial to Reduce Inappropriate Antipsychotic Prescribing in Long-Term Care

Background: Inappropriate antipsychotic prescribing is a key quality indicator by which clinical outcomes might be monitored and improved in long-term care (LTC), but limited evidence exists on the most effective strategies for reducing inappropriate antipsychotic use.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate a multicomponent approach to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotics in LTC.

Design: A prospective, stepped-wedge study design was used to evaluate the effect of the intervention.

Settings and participants: Interdisciplinary staff at 10 Canadian LTC facilities.

Methods: The intervention consisted of an educational in-service, provision of evidence-based tools to assess and monitor neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in dementia, and monthly interprofessional team meetings. The primary outcome was the proportion of residents receiving an antipsychotic without a diagnosis of psychosis using a standardized antipsychotic quality indicator.

Results: The weighted mean change in inappropriate antipsychotic prescribing rate from baseline to 12-month follow-up was -4.6% [standard deviation (SD) = 2.8%, P < .0001], representing a 16.1% (SD = 17.0) relative reduction. After adjusting for site, the odds ratio for the inappropriate antipsychotic prescribing quality indicator at 12 months compared to baseline was 0.73 (95% confidence interval = 0.48-0.94; chi-square = 6.59; P = .01). There were no significant changes in related quality indicators, including falls, restraint use, or behavioral symptoms.

Conclusions and implications: This multicomponent intervention was effective in reducing inappropriate antipsychotic prescribing in LTC without adversely affecting other domains related to quality of care, and offers a practical means by which to improve the care of older adults with dementia in LTC.