Antipsychotic Drug Overuse in Nursing Homes

The Boston Globe recently published a series on the overuse of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. Those of us who represent victims of abuse and neglect in nursing homes refer to this as a form of “chemical restraint.” Many nursing homes use antipsychotic drugs to control combative behavior and agitation in nursing home residents who have not been diagnosed with a condition for which such drugs are recommended.

The Boston Globe’s investigation yielded a number of findings including:

(1) In 21% of U.S. nursing homes for the year 2010, at least one-fourth of the residents received antipsychotic medications despite the fact that they did not have illnesses or conditions for which such medications are prescribed.

(2) The use of antipsychotic medications was linked to staffing levels within the nursing homes. The facilities that used antipsychotic drugs for conditions not recommended by physicians had lower staffing levels than facilities who did not rely heavily on the use of antipsychotic medications.

(3) The use of antipsychotic medications by nursing homes tended to correlate with facilities whose residents were deemed by the nurses and staff to have behavioral problems, such as being verbally or physically abusive to staff, resisting care, or wandering.

Antipsychotic drugs are typically used to treat some of the most severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia. They are powerful sedatives with potentially harmful side effects. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued so-called “black box warnings” about the dangers of giving antipsychotic medications to patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These drugs can increase the risk of infections and cardiovascular complications in elderly individuals. Additionally, they can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and blurred vision, any of which can lead to falls and serious, fall-related injuries.

Antipsychotic drugs are overprescribed in nursing homes because the nurses and staff either don’t have the time to deal with a resident’s behavioral problem, or they don’t take the time to investigate the underlying cause of a resident’s combative behavior. A resident with Alzheimer’s or dementia, for example, can become confused, frightened or anxious simply because of a change in their environment. By redirecting these residents to an area or environment that is more familiar or comforting to them, the anxiety or combative behavior can often be lessened or eliminated. However, it can take longer to redirect the resident than it takes to administer a sedative or antipsychotic drug that will knock the resident out for hours at a time.

Efforts are underway to encourage nursing homes to care for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia without resorting to the use of antipsychotic medications. Nursing homes are encouraged to have lots of activities and try various types of interventions rather than using the quick fix of prescribing an antipsychotic. Federal regulations that govern nursing homes provide inspectors the authority to issue citations, known as “deficiencies,” if nursing homes are found to have engaged in “unnecessary medication use.” Additionally, federal regulations require nursing homes to try to gradually reduce the resident’s dose of antipsychotic drugs at least once a year, but facilities sometimes neglect to do so.

If you believe that a loved one in a nursing home is being given unnecessary antipsychotic medications or is being overmedicated, you should ask for a list of all medications that are being administered to the resident and the doses. A simple internet search or a review of sources commonly found in public libraries, such as the Physician’s Desk Reference, will provide you with the information you need regarding the medication, including what it is used for, the recommended dose, and potential side-effects. If you believe that the administration of antipsychotic drugs is causing or contributing to a decline in the resident’s condition, report your concerns to the nursing home administrator and ask to speak with the nursing home’s medical director.

If you think a loved one has suffered serious injuries or died as a result of being prescribed antipsychotic medications while residing in a nursing home, contact an experienced nursing home litigation attorney, who has the knowledge and resources to determine whether you have a legal claim against the nursing home.

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