In an era of outcome-based care, it is imperative that facilities successfully integrate evidence-based behavioral health services.
Non-antibiotic drugs already on the market, study finds
Apr 26, 2016
Antibiotic resistance is a hot topic in long-term care, and a new study indicates non-antibiotic therapeutic drugs are already available. Most provocatively, an antipsychotic may be used to treat Clostridium...
Accountability for antipsychotic medication use
By
Frank L. Grosso, RPh, and Nicole J. Brandt, PharmD
Apr 29, 2015
Pharmacists are increasingly asked to be part of the behavioral health teams to ensure that there is an appropriate indication for all medication use and that ongoing effectiveness and adverse event monitoring...
Also in the News for Thursday, March 19
Mar 19, 2015
Antipsychotics may be more deadly than previously thought … Texas considering bill that would prohibit physicians from asking about guns … Blood pressure drug has promise in reducing corticosteroid...
Changes to Five Star expected, providers fear lower ratings
By
Elizabeth Newman
Feb 12, 2015
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is expected to unveil major changes to Nursing Home Compare today that could cause facilities to lose rating stars, according to industry sources.
Antipsychotics goal gets reset
By
Elizabeth Newman
Nov 01, 2014
Long-term care providers are being asked to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications among residents by 25% by the end of 2015, and 30% by the end of 2016.
New goals for antipsychotics not unreasonable, leaders say
By
Elizabeth Newman
Nov 01, 2014
Providers may grumble about renewed pressure to lower the use of antipsychotics among long-term care residents with dementia, but the industry has an opportunity to be a leader, said LeadingAge President...
Expanded surveys will focus on staffing, MDS coding
By
Tim Mullaney
Nov 04, 2014
Special surveys to determine Minimum Data Set coding accuracy and nursing home staffing levels will occur nationwide in 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced in an Oct. 31 memorandum....
Long-term care providers might need to change pain management to cut opioid use, MedPAC analyst says
By
Tim Mullaney
Oct 15, 2014
Long-term care and other providers might have to alter their pain management practices if changes discussed at a recent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission meeting come to pass.
Nursing homes tend to administer high-risk medications to returning residents, study shows
By
Tim Mullaney
Sep 12, 2014
Nursing homes may be ratcheting up high-risk medication use for certain residents who return to the facility after a stay in the hospital, according to recently published findings.