Prescribing Patterns in a Hong Kong Institution for Adults with Severe to Profound Learning Disabilities

Abstract

There has been increasing concern about inappropriate or excessive medication of people with learning disabilities. Audits of prescribing practice may guide clinicians towards a more rational use of psychotropic drugs. Most previous studies have come from North America or Europe. This paper reports on a survey of prescribing patterns in an institution that cares for adults with severe to profound learning disabilities in Hong Kong. The survey found that 27% of the 294 hospital patients were receiving psychotropic drugs, but this rate was significantly higher (90%) in the ward for people with challenging behaviours. Most patients (67%) received a single psychotropic drug, 26% received two and 7%, three. Around half the patients (151) had epilepsy, of whom 90% received anticonvulsants. Of these, 52% received a single anticonvulsant, 37% received two and 11% received three or more. Dosages were generally within the recommended ranges. This survey revealed several good aspects of prescribing practice at Siu Lam Hospital, but also areas that need improvement. The latter include a drug‐reduction programme for the people with challenging behaviours, trials of drug‐free periods for seizure‐free patients receiving anticonvulsants and replacement of phenytoin and phenobarbitone with safer alternatives.

Citation

Lim, W. (2005), "Prescribing Patterns in a Hong Kong Institution for Adults with Severe to Profound Learning Disabilities", Tizard Learning Disability Review, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 3-9. https://doi.org/10.1108/13595474200500032