Neuroleptic and benzodiazepine use in long-term care in urban and rural Alberta: characteristics and results of an education intervention to ensure appropriate use.

Objectives: To examine the use of psychotropic drugs in 24 rural and urban long-term care (LTC) facilities, and compare the effect of an education intervention for LTC staff and family members on the use of psychotropic drugs in intervention versus control facilities.

Methods: Interrupted time series with a non-equivalent no-treatment control group time series. Data on drug use were collected in 24 Western Canadian LTC facilities (10 urban, 14 rural) for three 2-month time periods before and after the intervention.

Antipsychotic drug use in Canadian long-term care facilities: prevalence, and patterns following resident relocation.

Background And Aims: Data on antipsychotic use were collected in two Canadian long-term care (LTC) facilities. During the one-year study, residents in one facility were relocated to a new facility, allowing examination of the changes in antipsychotic use associated with relocation.

Method: A comparative descriptive design was used.

A multicenter disease management program for hospitalized patients with heart failure.

Background: Despite the availability of proven therapies, outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) remain poor. In this 2-stage, multicenter trial, we evaluated the effect of a disease management program on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with HF.

Methods And Results: In Stage 1, a pharmacist or nurse assessed each patient and made recommendations to the physician to add or adjust angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and other HF medications.