Old wine, new bottles: Increased scrutiny for antipsychotic drug use
By
Alan C. Horowitz, Esq., RN
Feb 22, 2013
The landmark legislation known as “OBRA ’87” (the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987) significantly limited the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drug use in long-term care facilities....
Public-private group issues recommendations to HHS on long-term care performance measures
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 05, 2013
Federal performance measures for nursing homes should reflect the quality of care provided in these facilities and should not be driven only by the goal of aligning performance measures among different...
National provider call to focus on reducing antipsychotics use, improving dementia care in nursing homes
Jan 25, 2013
Providers are invited to take part in a 90-minute teleconference Thursday that is aimed at improving dementia care in nursing homes. The mission of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care will...
Antipsychotic reduction goal attainable, medical expert says
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 29, 2012
Providers still have two months left to achieve a reduction of 15% in off-label use of antipsychotics, a goal that is achievable, a top medical expert says.
AHCA convention attendees urged to rise up in face of looming funding cuts; better moderate use of antipsychotics
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 09, 2012
Long-term care providers were given the truth during the opening session of the 63rd annual convention of the American Health Care Association: More funding cuts are on the way. Among the other hot topics...
Assisted living group launches quality improvement initiative
By
McKnight's Staff
Sep 26, 2012
A new quality initiative program unveiled Wednesday targets off-label use of antipsychotics, hospital readmissions and staff turnover in assisted living communities.
Law would require monthly reports on nursing home antipsychotic use
By
McKnight's Staff
Sep 24, 2012
A legislative proposal would require long-term care facilities to produce a monthly aggregate report of antipsychotic utilization in each facility, in addition to conducting a drug regimen review process.
Antipsychotics exert a powerful and often irreversible change in healthy brain chemistry
By
Anthony Chicotel
Jul 30, 2012
A McKnight’s editor’s blog post showed a breathtaking lack of insight into the problem of antipsychotics in long-term care and the superiority of simple non-pharmacologic comfort-focused care.
Scrutiny of skilled nursing facilities intensifies with Nursing Home Compare overhaul
By
McKnight's Staff
Jul 19, 2012
The government’s Nursing Home Compare website now includes more information about surveyor inspection findings and antipsychotic medication usage, officials announced Tuesday.
Antipsychotics report will have severe side effects
By
John O'Connor
Jul 13, 2012
Antipsychotic drugs are often used to calm residents with dementia. This reality is common knowledge among most people who have spent more than a few minutes in a nursing facility. But it is apparently...