Medication Management Consultancy

About this Program

There is a growing awareness of the potential over- and inappropriate use of psychotropic medicines, such as antipsychotics and other sedatives, in older people, especially those with dementia. DTA provides a consultancy service that assists residential care providers to ensure that their use of antipsychotic medicines is aligned with recommended practice. Medication Management Consultancy consists of:

• Benchmarking before and after the Consultancy service to measure staff knowledge about recommended use of antipsychotic and other psychotropic medicines for changed behaviours and the number of residents prescribed antipsychotic medicines for changed behaviours.
• Provision of DTA resources including; Antipsychotic Tracking Tool; Hand held quick reference cards, reminder stickers and poster; fact sheets for health workers and family about antipsychotic and sedative medicines; Comprehensive participant guide for virtual classroom session and Action Group; Email template to inform prescribers about consultancy.
• "Minimising use of antipsychotic medicines for changed behaviours": 1 hour online course to help staff ensure the use of antipsychotic medicines for changed behaviours is aligned with recommended best practice.
• 1.5 hour DTA Virtual Classroom Session focusing on Behaviour Assessement Plan/Behaviour Support Plan and how to safely start and stop antipsychotic medicines.
• Support through regular meetings via video-conference with a DTA Consultant and nominated staff.
• Development of a means to ensure sustainability of changes at the workplace e.g. policy and procedure improvements.
• Written summary report by DTA Consultant.

Learning Outcomes

• Ensure chemical restraints are used only as a last resort after all other best practice behaviour supports have failed.
• Minimise the number of antipsychotics prescribed for changed behaviours, and if required, using the lowest possible dose for the shortest period.
• Enhance staff knowledge on the use of antipsychotic and other psychotropic medicines.
• Develop a sustainable process that guides the responsible use of antipsychotic and other psychotropic medicines.