The nursing home industry needs to train caregivers on how to treat dementia patients with psychotic symptoms. Psychosis can arise from the medications nursing homes administer to residents with dementia. Antipsychotics are dangerous. Safe staffing and better training is the answer, not more medications. Psychotic symptoms in nursing home residents with dementia lead to poorer
McKnight’s reported that alternative medications replaced dangerous antipsychotic medications among Veterans Health Administration patients. A new analysis shows Veterans nursing homes significantly reduced antipsychotic medication use. A University of Michigan research team published findings in the American Journal of Psychiatry about antipsychotic use among Veterans Health Administration patients. Antipsychotic prescribing dropped from 33.7% to 27.5% from fiscal
Another nursing home employee was caught stealing medications from residents. This happens way too often. As a nursing home attorney, we often see the diversion of resident medications for personal use or profit. It is sickening. WREG reported that Memphis Police arrested registered nurse Anthony Littlejohn for stealing pills from the nursing home. The Ave
The Annals of Long Term care reported on the problem of polypharmacy in the nursing home industry. Polypharmacy causes adverse outcomes like negative drug events and interactions among older individuals living in nursing homes (NHs). In the NH population in this study, researchers observed a significant prevalence of drug-related problems and chemical restraints. Researchers sought to
KCENtv reported on one of the long-standing issues in the nursing home industry, the theft of drugs. As a nursing home attorney, I see the diversion of narcotics and other medications in many of our cases. The report states police arrested Ashley Kay Bidwell after overdosing on morphine and admitting to stealing it from her
Healio had a great article on the Journal of the American Geriatric Society recent study showing the common problem in nursing home care and medication administration related to diabetes. Type 2 diabetes overtreatment among nursing home residents is common. Too few nursing homes failed to attempt to decrease medication regimens appropriately. About 40% of nursing home residents