Design, implementation, and evaluation of a pharmacist-led outpatient benzodiazepine-tapering clinic

Background: Benzodiazepines are commonly used among older adults, despite well-known risks. Clinical pharmacists can lead tapering efforts, leveraging their clinical expertise and relieving time-pressured primary care providers.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to describe the design, implementation, and evaluation of an outpatient pharmacist-led benzodiazepine-tapering clinic.

Practice description: The clinic is based within a community medical group associated with a large academic health system in Los Angeles, California.

Practice innovation: The clinic is staffed by clinical pharmacists and supervised by a psychiatrist. The initial visit consists of patient education, design of patient-driven tapering schedule, and medical history review. Follow-up phone/video visits are used to monitor withdrawal symptoms and provide support.

Evaluation methods: We used chart review to assess tapering status among those enrolled in the tapering clinic versus those who did not enroll. We compared outcomes across the 2 groups using bivariate statistics.

Results: From March 2017 to May 2019, 176 patients were referred to the clinic; 17 were deemed ineligible. Of the 159 patients contacted, 62 patients enrolled in the clinic; 97 patients did not enroll. Among patients in the clinic, 13 (27%) of patients were tapered down, 29 (60%) completely tapered off, 6 (13%) were unable to taper, and 14 (23%) were in the process of tapering. In contrast, among patients who did not enroll, 3 (4%) of patients were tapered down, 15 (20%) completely tapered off, 57 (76%) were unable to taper, and 22 (22%) were in the process of tapering. Ninety percent of patients had at least some benzodiazepine tapering when enrolled in the clinic compared to 41% among not enrolled in the clinic (P<0.001).

Conclusion: A pharmacist-led benzodiazepine-tapering clinic can be an effective way to engage patients motivated to taper down. Lessons learned include the importance of ensuring referring providers adequately counsel patients prior to referral.