May 31, 2013
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated survey guidelines regarding nursing homes' use of antipsychotic medications for dementia care. The 59-page interim guidance revises Appendix P and Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual.
May 23, 2013
Long-term care pharmacy Omnicare will not face charges that it engaged in "nationwide" Medicare fraud for off-label antipsychotics prescriptions, a federal judge recently ruled. However, the pharmacy still faces more limited False Claims Act charges over billing for antipsychotic drugs allegedly used for dementia care.
The top professional association of long-term care physicians and medical directors has reiterated its commitment to reducing the use of antipsychotics for dementia care. It did so Tuesday, in response to a recent report that criticized prescribing practices.
May 14, 2013
Long-term care organizations have responded to a report that physicians are prescribing antipsychotic medications for seniors without proper oversight from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This is hampering efforts to reduce off-label antipsychotic use for dementia care in nursing homes, according to ProPublica, which compiled the report based on a review of Medicare Part D claims.
Skilled nursing providers fell well short of reaching a 15% reduction in off-label antipsychotic use by the end of 2012, the American Health Care Association announced Monday.
Providers should be taking most of their dementia residents off antipsychotics — and can generally do so without fear of relapse to dementia-related behaviors — researchers say.
May 01, 2013
Skilled nursing facilities are expected to have missed their overall goal of reducing off-label use of antipsychotics by 15% for 2012, but they should continue to push for reductions, provider leaders said.
Reducing the number of residents with dementia who are on antipsychotics starts with reassessment, experts advised at this week's American College of Health Care Administrators convocation In Orlando. The key is a multi-step process providers can follow.
April 03, 2013
A majority of long-term care providers reduced hospital readmissions and the off-label use of antipsychotics within the last year, according to the American Health Care Association. The organization recently posted a progress report on the AHCA Quality Initiative, which was launched in February 2012.
April 01, 2013
It's noteworthy that the Taylor Care Center in Jacksonville, FL, recently marked the 100th birthday of two residents by inviting an Elvis impersonator to perform. More remarkable: The event celebrated 42 residents who are at least 90.
Nursing homes using antipsychotic drugs for dementia care can and should take most residents off these medications, according to recently published research.
Skilled nursing facilities are making progress in reducing the off-label use of antipsychotics but are expected to fall far short of an overall 15% reduction goal.
March 05, 2013
While antipsychotic measurements can vary, providers must carefully and thoroughly examine all antipsychotic medication use in their facility.
February 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. Indeed, among OBRA '87's goals was the elimination of chemical restraints, typically associated with antipsychotic drugs. A quarter of a century after the passage of OBRA '87, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and numerous professional organizations are redoubling their efforts to further reduce the use of antipsychotic drugs in long term care.
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 care settings, according to a recent report from the National Quality Forum.
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 be the focus of the call, which starts at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services says it hopes the partnership's work will lead to less use of antipsychotic medications. CMS experts will discuss goals, quality measures and ongoing efforts before ending with a question-and-answer session. Eligible professionals may earn continuing education credits.
The former director of nursing at a California nursing home was sentenced Wednesday to three years in prison for administering powerful drugs to subdue residents.
November 29, 2012
Adding to the concerns about off-label use of antipsychotics, a new study has found four of the most common medications lack safety and effectiveness in older adults.
October 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.
October 19, 2012
Taking nursing home residents with dementia off of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal might do more harm than good, according to new research.
October 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 discussed during educational sessions Monday at the Tampa Convention Center were the use of antipsychotics and avoidable rehospitalizations.
September 26, 2012
A new quality initiative program unveiled Wednesday targets off-label use of antipsychotics, hospital readmissions and staff turnover in assisted living communities.
Nursing homes would be required to issue monthly reports on antipsychotic drug use under a new Senate measure. The Improving Dementia Care Treatment in Older Adults Act is nearly identical to an amendment proposed in May by the same three lawmakers: Sens. Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). .
September 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.
September 04, 2012
A few years ago, I got sick and didn't get better, and eventually landed in the ER for being dehydrated. That begat weeks of X-rays, an endoscopy and countless tests, including one that revealed that my liver wasn't working quite right.
August 31, 2012
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a unit of Johnson & Johnson, will pay $181 million to settle charges that it marketed antipsychotic medications for medically unapproved purposes.
July 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.
July 25, 2012
Nursing leaders offered strategies to help nursing directors reduce antipsychotics use and alleviate alarm problems during a leadership panel Tuesday.
July 19, 2012
The government's Nursing Home Compare website now includes more information about surveyor inspection findings and antipsychotic medication usage, officials announced Tuesday.
July 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 a great revelation to the folks at the Inspector General's office.
