Antipsychotic Drug use and Patient Care

Antipsychotic Drug use in Nursing Homes: Trend Update

CMS is tracking the progress of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes by reviewing publicly reported measures. The official measure of the Partnership is the percentage of long-stay nursing home residents who are receiving an antipsychotic medication, excluding those residents diagnosed with schizophrenia, Huntington's Disease or Tourette’s Syndrome. In the fourth quarter of 2011, 23.9% of long-stay nursing home residents were receiving an antipsychotic medication. Since then, there has been a decrease of 19.4% to a national prevalence of 19.2% in the third quarter of 2014. Success has varied by state and CMS region, with some states and regions having seen a reduction of greater than 20%.

The National Partnership has a mission to deliver health care that is person-centered, comprehensive and interdisciplinary with a specific focus on protecting residents from being prescribed antipsychotic medications unless there is a valid, clinical indication and a systematic process to evaluate each individual’s need. CMS promotes a multidimensional approach that includes research, partnerships and state-based coalitions, revised surveyor guidance, training for providers and surveyors and public reporting.

For more information:

• Register for the March 10 MLN Connects™ National Provider Call
• Visit the National Partnership web page
• Send correspondence to dnh_behavioralhealth@cms.hhs.gov