CMS to begin audits for schizophrenia coding, says citations will affect quality ratings
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 19, 2023
The agency will start auditing nursing homes this month to determine whether residents’ schizophrenia diagnoses are accurate and appropriately coded. A pattern of inaccurate coding may result in a quality...
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.
Prescribing patterns in nursing homes may impact that of assisted living neighbors, study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 14, 2021
Antipsychotic and anti-anxiety prescribing in nursing homes may have an effect on prescribing in local and affiliated assisted living communities, investigators have found.
Feds’ antipsychotics program fails to reduce prescriptions in assisted living
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 23, 2022
In a federal initiative to reduce unnecessary antipsychotics prescribing, results in assisted living didn’t match the successes seen in nursing homes, a new study reveals.
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.
Pandemic disrupted dementia care, increased antipsychotic prescriptions: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2023
Clinicians relied on these drugs to address behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia during the pandemic. Experts are calling for a new approach to assessing treatment needs.
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.
CMS, OIG agree on increasing scrutiny of psychotropic drug use
By
Joe Bush
Nov 18, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will be increasing its oversight of the use of psychotropic drugs to pay closer attention to certain classes, warned the lead author of a federal report identifying...
U.S. hospices lack standard for benzodiazepines, antipsychotics use: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 28, 2023
Investigators have found significant variation in what is considered clinically appropriate use of these drugs for the U.S. hospice population.
Use of common hospice drugs varies widely by state, highlighting limited guidance
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2022
Antipsychotics prescribing rates, for example, ranged from 62% for hospice beneficiaries in Oregon to 15% in Oklahoma, investigators say. Five states topped the prescriptions list.