There has been a significant reduction in the use of antipsychotics in long-stay nursing home residents between 2011 and 2016 as the result CMS’ National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes. This dramatic drop raises questions on whether antipsychotics have been replaced with equally risky medications, and whether this movement has brought about positive outcomes such as fewer adverse effects and improved behavior. A recent online article in JAMA examines CMS’ initiatives to curb antipsychotic use in nursing homes.
Link to McKnight’s article, Sustainability of dramatic drop in SNF antipsychotic use in doubt (6/2017) and JAMA article, Reducing Excessive Use of Antipsychotic Agents in Nursing Homes (6/2017)
