CMS Releases Data on Antipsychotic Drugs Used in Nursing Homes

According to data from CMS, the percentage of long-term nursing home residents being given antipsychotic drugs dropped from about 24 percent in late 2011 to under 16 percent last year. CMS says the data show its National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes, created in 2012, has served its goal to reduce unnecessary antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. The Partnership CMS explains its National Partnership utilized a multidimensional approach which included public reporting, partnerships and state-based coalitions, research, training for providers and surveyors, and revised surveyor guidance to empower and build upon the efforts of organizations across the country. The initial focus of the partnership was on reducing antipsychotic medications. However, it eventually grew into a larger mission of enhancing the use of non-pharmacologic approaches and person-centered dementia care practices.The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care announced that it met its goal of reducing the national prevalence of antipsychotic use in long-stay nursing home residents by 30 percent by the end of 2016. It also announced a new goal of a 15 percent reduction by the end of 2019 for long-stay residents in those homes with currently limited reduction rates. Data Trends CMS reports that between the end of 2011 and the end of quarter one of 2017, the national prevalence of antipsychotic use in long-stay nursing home residents was reduced by 34.1 percent, decreasing f...
Source: Policy and Medicine - Category: American Health Authors: Source Type: blogs