Q: CMS wants nursing homes to reduce antipsychotic use by 15% by the end of 2012. How’s it looking?
A: It’s very doable, and I’m actually very optimistic. When I talk to communities around the country, they are: “Oh my goodness, what do we do?” They are waiting for the answers to come out.
Q: What’s the quick fix?
A: [If] you look at a 100-bed nursing home, maybe 22 — the national average, or close to it — are on antipsychotics. If you stop three or four residents, you are at the 15% reduction goal.
Q: What else should providers do?
A: Have a list of everybody who’s on them, and know why they’re on them. Also, know how long they’ve been on an antipsychotic.
I am optimistic the 15% reduction will happen. But I’m also optimistic because it’s changing the framework just from meds to focusing on: How do I do this? How do I do a better job in caring for these individuals with dementia?
Q: What do you think of Sen. Kohl’s bill that targets antipsychotics?
A: It is always interesting when Congress practices medicine. The issue in this bill raising the most rancor is that of “informed consent.” My concern is that we don’t devolve into just a paper-signing process. That will bring us further away from engaged decision-making.
From the December 01, 2012 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News