National Council Publishes Performance Benchmarks for Utilization of LAMs

Earlier this week, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing published a report on the utilization of long-acting medications (LAM), providing the first-ever standardized performance measures and benchmarks to help providers optimize their use of LAMs.

LAMs are consistently underutilized despite strong evidence of their superior outcomes compared to oral medications. However, a set of standardized performance benchmarks provided in the report will make practice patterns visible and drive systematic improvement. The goal of the report is to help every provider identify opportunities to offer these evidence-based treatments to appropriate patients.

Key Report Highlights:
LAMs remain dramatically underutilized despite years of education and case discussions. The problem is not with knowledge, but with measurement.

• Two Critical Gaps:
• Initiation: Many eligible patients never receive their first dose of an LAM.
• Continuation: There is a substantial drop-off between first and second administrations of LAMs.
• Evidence-based benchmarks can drive real change. The Medical Director Institute proposes:
• Antipsychotic LAMs: 30% initiation benchmark with 85% continuation to second dose.
• Opioid Use Disorder LAMs: 10% initiation benchmark with 80% continuation to second dose.
• Alcohol Use Disorder LAMs: 10% initiation benchmark with 60% continuation to second dose.

Read the full report here.