The use of physical restraints on nursing home residents dropped during the past decade. But anxiety-drug use rose during the same period, an industry-backed report finds. The percentage of residents who were physically restrained fell from 9.3% in 2000 to 3.1% by 2009, according to the second annual Quality Report. Meanwhile, the prevalence of anti-anxiety and hypnotic drug use increased from 17% to 23.1%. The report is a joint effort by the American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care.
Fewer residents being restrained, but more are taking anxiety drugs, report finds
September 28, 2010