Study: Focusing on neurology — not just psychiatry — helps cut antipsychotic use in SNF residents
By
Kristen Fischer
Sep 29, 2023
A neurology-focused effort to reduce antipsychotic drugs in skilled nursing facilities lowered usage by 68% in people with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, according to a new report published...
Drug reduction may be all the rage, but it shouldn’t be outrageous
By
Steven Levenson
Jul 10, 2023
In recent years, there has been much talk about drug reduction in nursing homes. We hear about “GDR meetings” and even a new verb, as in “We are ‘GDRing’ our residents’ medications.” ...
Pandemic bump in antipsychotics use raises questions about long-term care outcomes
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 12, 2022
The findings raise questions about the short- and long-term effects on the quality of care and health outcomes for residents, the authors say.
Antipsychotic reduction in LTC leads to drug substitutions, more delusions diagnoses
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 16, 2022
Antipsychotic reduction in long-term care facilities likely results in significant unintended fallout, new data from Canada show. The results mirror those of similar studies in the United States, with...
Avoid antipsychotic use to lessen stroke risk in Alzheimer’s patients: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 29, 2021
The increased odds of experiencing a stroke within 60 days of starting treatment suggests that even short-term antipsychotic use should be avoided if possible, investigators contend.
CMS must refine data on antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes, OIG says
By
Alicia Lasek
May 07, 2021
The Minimum Data Set should not be CMS’ sole source for determining the number of nursing home residents using antipsychotic drugs, according to a new report from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General.
Collaborative model helps reduce antipsychotic drug use
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 25, 2020
Training and support leads to discontinuation of antipsychotic meds in residents who do not have a diagnosis of psychosis or mental health issues, researchers have found. Notably, behavioral symptoms did...
Practical advice on reducing antipsychotics
By
Jerome Wilborn
May 08, 2015
Two CMS tags —F-Tag 329, which addresses unnecessarily using antipsychotic drugs, and F-Tag 309, which addresses taking steps to reduce antipsychotic drug use — are used by nursing home surveyors to...
Rate drops for antipsychotics
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 04, 2015
Industry leaders were pleasantly surprised to learn that nursing home operators had exceeded goals for lowering unnecessary antipsychotics use. The level dropped by nearly 20% over a three-year span.
GAO has good points in how, why antipsychotics are given
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 04, 2015
The government recognizes the progress made in nursing homes with reduction of antipsychotics for residents with dementia, but also notes many who live in assisted living are receiving the drugs. It’s...