Use of Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs Among Older Adults

The purpose of this study was to reduce numbers of concurrently ordered sedative-hypnotic drugs for older adults in long-term (N=220) and home-care (N=357) settings. All active records were reviewed and numbers of sedative-hypnotics per patient were documented. Upon record review completion, educational sessions focused on dangers posed by use of multiple sedative-hypnotics were presented to nurses. One month posteducation, researchers reviewed the same records to evaluate changes. Matched pair t-tests suggested significant decreases in sedative-hypnotic use in long term, but not in the home care setting. Education in this area is critical within and across community settings.