Improving Benzodiazepine Prescribing in an Acute Mental Health Hospital.
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Authors
Ni Dhubhlaing, C.
Fitzpatrick, A.
Fearon, P.
Kowalska-Beda, P.
Maher, T.
Kennedy, N.
Issue Date
2016
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Aims - Prolonged or overuse of benzodiazepines carries potential psychological and physical risks. We
aimed to monitor and reduce benzodiazepine and hypnotic prescribing within St Patrick’s University
Hospital (SPUH).
Methods - Revisions to clinical practice introduced included: raising awareness of benzodiazepine and
hypnotic prescribing through audit and feedback; increased clinical pharmacist input; limiting pro re nata
(PRN) prescription validity to seven days; and limiting the range of prescribers permitted to write PRN
benzodiazepines or hypnotics. Effects of these changes were audited between 2011 and 2014.
Results - Initial benzodiazepine prescribing (66% prescribed benzodiazepines, 41% regularly and 33%
PRN) were reduced by over a third. Reductions were also observed in patients prescribed hypnotics
(67% to 36%) and more than one benzodiazepine (21% to 5%).
Conclusions - Changes in practice, implementable in non-psychiatric settings, had a clear impact on
benzodiazepine and hypnotic prescribing within SPUH and this was sustained over time.
Description
Citation
Ni Dhubhlaing, C., Fitzpatrick, A., Fearon, P., Kowalska-Beda, P., Maher, T. and Kennedy, N. (2016). Improving Benzodiazepine Prescribing in an Acute Mental Health Hospital. The Online Journal of Clinical Audits, 8(2).