Impact of continuation of antipsychotic medications and benzodiazepines after critical care discharge

BACKGROUND: Survivors of critical illness are often started on antipsychotics and/or benzodiazepines in the intensive care unit (ICU) and continued on discharge. OBJECTIVE: Systematic review of the evidence regarding impact of continuation of antipsychotic medications and benzodiazepines after ICU discharge. DATA SOURCES: Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Emcare; APA PsycInfo; Scopus; CINAHL were searched for publications about adult ICU survivors discharged from the ICU with a new prescription of either an antipsychotic and/or benzodiazepine. CONCLUSIONS: Discharge with a new prescription of antipsychotic and/or benzodiazepines can cause QT prolongation and is associated with an increased readmission and mortality and does not improve long-term outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurse practitioners should reevaluate the use of antipsychotics and/or benzodiazepines in the ICU and avoid discharging ICU survivors with a new prescription.