Home - BE-SAFE

Reducing

Benzodiazepine potential for adverse drug events such as falls and fractures, cognitive impairment, (…..) and delirium, has been well described

Lukacisinová et al. The prevalence and prescribing patterns of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in older nursing home residents in different Europeon countries and Israel: retrospective results from the EU SHEL TER study. BMJ Geriatrics. (2021) 21:277

Tapering

Evidence on the effectiveness of benzodiazepines, especially for the long-term treatment of insomnia, is questionable.

Glass et al. Sedative hypnotics in older people with insomnio: meta-analysis of risks and benefits. BMJ. 2005:331(7526):1169

Deprescribing

"These medications can pose real risks, and there are often safer alternatives available. Our findings strongly suggest that we need strategies to reduce benzodiazepine use"

Olfson et al. Benzodiazepine Use in the United States. JAMA Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 17

Implementing a patient-centred and evidence-based intervention to reduce BEnzodiazepine and sedativehypnotic use to improve patient SAFEty and quality of care.

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BSH facts and opinions

Inappropriate prescriptions are known to pose health risks for older adults, leading to unnecessary hospitalisations and undue cost.

Budnitz DS, Lovegrove MC, Shehab N, Richards CL. Emergency hospitalizations for adverse drug events in older Americans. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;365(21):2002-12

Hospital costs for fall injuries attributable to BSHs, extrapolated to the entire EU, reach € 1.8 billion yearly.

Panneman MJ, et al. The costs of benzodiazepine-associated hospital-treated fall Injuries in the EU: a Pharmo study. Drugs Aging. 2003;20:833-839.

Highlights

Choosing Wisely Canada’s National Meeting

Choosing Wisely Canada’s National Meeting will return to an in-person event on May 11 and 12, 2023. Join us in Toronto at the Globe and Mail Centre for two days of engaging keynote speakers, workshops, and breakout sessions.

Bringing together health professionals, patients, system leaders, and researchers, this two-day event is a unique opportunity to learn about leading Choosing Wisely efforts taking place across the country.

Featured videos

Benzodiazepine Tapers in Primary Care - Kendall Shibuya, D.O.

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