2022
Evaluation of Antipsychotic Reduction Efforts in Patients With Dementia in Veterans Health Administration Nursing Homes
Gerlach LB, Maust DT, Kales HC, Chang M, Kim HM, Wiechers IR, Zivin K. Evaluation of Antipsychotic Reduction Efforts in Patients With Dementia in Veterans Health Administration Nursing Homes. American Journal Of Psychiatry 2022, 179: 544-552. PMID: 35615813, PMCID: PMC9349465, DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21060591.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationCNS-active medicationsVHA Nursing HomesNursing homesAnxiolytic prescribingOverall prescribingVeterans Health Administration nursing homesNursing home patientsNursing home residentsInterrupted time series designAntipsychotic reductionQuarterly prevalenceMedication classesOpioid medicationsAntidepressant prescribingAntipsychotic useMedication prescribingHome patientsPsychotropic medicationsLabel useHome residentsSimilar riskMedicationsPrescribingHealth Administration
2021
Impact of an interdisciplinary intervention for distress behaviors in dementia on psychotropic drug use in Veterans Health Administration Community Living Centers STAR-VA impact on psychotropic drug utilization
McConeghy KW, Curyto K, Jedele J, Intrator O, Mohr DC, Wiechers IR, Karel MJ. Impact of an interdisciplinary intervention for distress behaviors in dementia on psychotropic drug use in Veterans Health Administration Community Living Centers STAR-VA impact on psychotropic drug utilization. Geriatric Nursing 2021, 42: 1533-1540. PMID: 34739929, DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2021.10.009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPsychotropic drug useDrug useVeterans Health Administration nursing homesPsychotropic medication usePsychotropic drug utilizationDistress behaviorsSTAR-VAMedication usePsychotropic useDrug utilizationCohort analysisNursing homesInterdisciplinary interventionEligible residentsStudy designTreatment effectsDementiaImportant optionResidentsBehavioral approachCasesAverage reductionDosesMonths
2018
Prescription Benzodiazepine Use Among Older Adults
Gerlach L, Wiechers I, Maust D. Prescription Benzodiazepine Use Among Older Adults. Harvard Review Of Psychiatry 2018, 26: 264-273. PMID: 30188338, PMCID: PMC6129989, DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000190.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUse of benzodiazepinesOlder adultsAvailable evidenceAnxiety disordersPsychological symptomsPlacebo-controlled trialPubMed/MEDLINETreatment of insomniaYears of ageImproved sleep outcomesBZD useFuture trialsPsychotropic medicationsBenzodiazepine useClinical indicationsChronic benzodiazepinesInclusion criteriaBehavioral disturbancesEligibility criteriaElectronic databasesSleep outcomesPsychiatric conditionsSystematic reviewTreatment alternativesBenzodiazepines