Province's long-term care patients less depressed, more likely to be on antipsychotics

A new study is giving insight into how long-term care patients in the province are progressing or, in some cases, worsening over time.

It found those living in central Newfoundland are more likely to be given antipsychotic drugs they don't need.

The information, collected by the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI), chose nine "quality indictors" to focus on, including things like restraint use, depressive mood and whether a resident's physical functioning improved or worsened while in care.

Thirty-twoorganizations across the province took part in the study.

"The good news story is there's no facility or region that's performing poorly across all indicators this really tells us that a closer look is needed here and further research is warranted," said Connie Paris, manager of home and continuing care with the CIHI.

"Newfoundland is doing reasonably well in things like recent falls, pressure ulcers, improved physical function so more of your clients are improving their physical function in long-term care compared to the national average."

Paris also said fewer people in the province are depressedcompared to the national average.

Falling flat

But central Newfoundland falls short when it comes to the use of "potentially inappropriate antipsychotics in long-term care."

"So this is long-term care residents who were given antipsychotic medication in the absence of a diagnosis like psychosis, where we might expect an anti-psychotic given," Paris said.

The national average is trending around 28 per cent and she saidNewfoundland and Labrador comes in "significantly higher at 38 per cent."

And in central Newfoundlandthat number jumps even higher, to 42 per cent. According to Paris, just a couple of facilities are"really driving that number."

The public can view the figures for themselves on the CIHIwebsite.

Paris said the purpose of the site is to allow facilities to compare themselves to one another and share best practices.