Ottawa hospital tries to cut down on antipsychotic drugs
A hospital in Ottawa is taking part in one of 15 pilot projects across the country to ease dementia patients off antipsychotic drugs.
Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Home 1 of 15 facilities taking part in pilot project
Government statistics say 30 per cent of nursing-home patients are on the drugs despite never being diagnosed with psychosis.
Dr. Andrew Wiens, a geriatric psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, told CBC News the drugs are popular in nursing homes to treat aggressive dementia patients who scratch, kick and bite staff and family members.
Wiens will work with staff at the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Home in Centrepointe to reduce the use of antipsychotics.
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