Join a Province-Wide Initiative to Reduce Antipsychotic Drug Use by 50%

The BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (BCPSQC) has launched a new initiative that aims to reduce the use of anti-psychotic medications in residential care. The goal of CLeAR – a Call for Less Antipsychotics in Residential Care – is to reduce anti-psychotic use by 50% across BC by December 31, 2014. CLeAR is a province-wide, voluntary initiative that supports participating sites.

On average, 35% of seniors in Canadian residential care homes are prescribed anti-psychotic medications.¹This number can be reduced by following best practices that ensure appropriate use of anti-psychotics.

If you care for seniors in residential care, and particularly residents who experience the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, you can join CLeAR as an Action & Improvement Team, Organizational Partner or Individual Member.

Members of CLeAR will share resources and guidelines, receive improvement coaching and support, participate in local, regional and provincial learning activities, and be supported by mentors who will provide quality improvement and clinical expertise. Members will learn from initiatives in the UK and Manitoba, as well as care homes in BC that have successfully reduced the use of antipsychotics.^2,3 In early June, the BC Care Providers Association released its Best Practices Guide for Safely Reducing Anti-Psychotic Drug Use in Residential Care, which highlights the best practices of seven BC care homes.

Visit www.CLeARBC.ca to sign up by July 19 or learn more about the CLeAR initiative. Information webinars are being held on June 25 and July 9 – visit the website for details. You can also contact CLeARBC@bcpsqc.ca with questions.