Nursing homes need to appropriately evaluate residentsfor depression and use antidepressant medication judiciously, according to acouncil of long-term care professionals.
The Long Term Care Professional Leadership Council, whichis composed of four different long-term care groups, recently released astatement about antidepressant use. It follows the release of F-tag 329Unnecessary Drug guidance in 2006 as well as media scrutiny regarding the useof antipsychotic drugs for nursing home patients, the group said.
The statement presents instructions to nursing homesregarding the diagnosis of depression and the use of medication. For example,nursing homes should diagnose depression carefully, based on establishedguidelines, it said. Also, if medication is necessary, carefully consider thechoice of medication, the dose and duration of treatment.
For more information, contact the American College ofHealth Care Administrators, the American Medical Directors Association, theAmerican Society of Consultant Pharmacists or the National AssociationDirectors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care.
