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Evidence to Improve Care

Schizophrenia

Care for Adults in Hospitals

7

Treatment With Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotic Medication

Adults who are admitted to an inpatient setting with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia are offered the option of a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication.


Long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications can improve treatment adherence and prevent relapse. Relapse into more active psychosis may affect the course of the illness. Unlike treatment with oral antipsychotic medications, treatment with long-acting injectable medications can help the clinician know the level of medication adherence. Further potential advantages include a reduced risk of unintentional or deliberate overdose and required regular contact between the person and the health care team. People with schizophrenia who have long-acting injectable medication initiated in the hospital require a scheduled follow-up appointment to continue their treatment.

For Patients

You should be offered long-acting antipsychotic medications. These are injected once or twice a month.


For Clinicians

Offer the option of long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications to people with schizophrenia. Offer this option early in the course of antipsychotic treatment.


For Health Services

Offer the option of long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications to people with schizophrenia. Offer this option early in the course of antipsychotic treatment.

Process Indicator

Percentage of adults admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia who are offered a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication

  • Denominator: total number of adults admitted to an inpatient setting with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia

  • Numerator: number of people in the denominator who are offered a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication while in hospital

  • Data source: local data collection

Percentage of adults admitted to hospital with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia who receive a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication

  • Denominator: total number of adults admitted to an inpatient setting with a primary diagnosis of schizophrenia

  • Numerator: number of people in the denominator who receive a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication while in hospital

  • Data source: local data collection

Long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications

These medications are injected every 2 to 4 weeks. The option of treatment with long-acting injectable antipsychotic medications should be offered early in the course of antipsychotic treatment.

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