Aims
The primary end point was to identify documented falls and increased sedation that occurred within 48 hours after administration of either intramuscular haloperidol or olanzapine, and to compare the different in rates of occurrence between agents. The secondary and points were to identify extrapyramidal side effects (EPSE), strokes or death after the intramuscular antipsychotic administration.
Methods
This was a retrospective cohort study where patient lists, including relevant participant demographics and time frames, were generated using the Electronic Medical Record. Those who had intramuscular medications administered during their admission were identified and the data collected was entered into a confidential, de-identified database. Data analysis was performed via Excel and using statistical calculations such as chi squared tests, Fisher’s exact tests and log ranked tests.
Results
Data from 56 patients was collected. Olanzapine was the most commonly administered intramuscular antipsychotic (54%), with the median number of intramuscular medication administration being 2. No falls were recorded in either patient group, and the proportion of increased sedation (either subjective or objective) was slightly higher in the olanzapine group (33.3%) compared to haloperidol (28.6%), however there was no statistical significance between sedation and type of medication. There was no statistically significant relationship with the medications and EPSE, stroke and death.
Conclusions
There was no difference between the rates of falls and sedation in inpatients administered either haloperidol or olanzapine for elderly agitated patients. There was also no statistically significant difference between the rates of strokes, EPSE and death between the two antipsychotics.