Monthly antipsychotics-usage reports required in new Senate measure

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). “Our legislation provides some straightforward and commonsense steps that will help decrease the improper, dangerous and costly use of antipsychotics and accelerate the shift toward the broader use of safer alternatives,” Kohl said at the hearing.