Implementation Strategies for Reducing Antipsychotic Medication Use in Long-term Care Homes at Vancouver Coastal Health: Closing the Learning Cycle Loop

Inappropriate use of antipsychotic medication has been recognized as a concern in long-term care (LTC) in Canada. VCH is committed to reducing inappropriate antipsychotic medication use in LTC through implementing a strategic plan developed by the BC Ministry of Health. VCH leadership identified understanding the barriers and facilitators of implementing the strategies as their priority to spread the learnings to LTC across VCH and other parts of BC.  The research aims to examine the facilitators and barriers to implementing the strategies for reducing antipsychotic medication use in LTC. It will adopt a mixed-method design, including rapid review, semi-structured interviews, and pharmacy data analysis. The anticipated findings will help to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing the strategies for reducing antipsychotic medication use in LTC. The potential impacts will include: 1) support and enhance the implementation of the antipsychotic medication use strategy in LTC, 2) reduce the inappropriate antipsychotic use in LTC and enhance the safety and quality of care to residents, and 3) promote learning for sustainable and continuous quality improvement for LTC patient care, and 4) ensure the efficient and effective use of resources by investing in strategies that work.