TORONTO—A campaign to reduce inappropriate use of health care in Canada is calling for more prudent prescribing of sleep aids among seniors.
Choosing Wisely Canada says about one third of people over age 65 are using sleeping pills, even though the drugs are particularly risky for older adults. What’s more, the pills don’t offer substantially longer or better quality sleep, the group says.
The recommendation is one of dozens the group is releasing aimed at educating patients and doctors about inappropriate use of health care.
The campaign involves more than two dozen medical specialty groups and associations which have drawn up Top 5 lists of tests, procedures, or practices common to their specialty that really ought not be done.
Examples including ordering a panel of blood tests every year as part of an annual physical, even for patients with no particular risk factors for the conditions for which they are being screened. In fact, the group advises against annual checkups, saying physicals are important but should be done on a more sporadic basis.
