More than half of nursing facility residents have some form of dementia, many of whom experience behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia (BPSD).
How will you be proactive and jump out ahead of New Quality Measures?
According to an online article from the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, over 25% of patients in nursing facilities in the United States receive antipsychotic medications. These drugs have many legitimate uses including treatment for psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, and BPSD in certain situations. However, they are often used inappropriately in nursing facilities to treat BPSD (behavioral and psychotic symptoms of dementia), and evidence documenting their clinical efficacy for BPSD is variable.(1)
In elderly residents who have dementia, antipsychotics are only appropriate in a small number of instances. Yet, despite the Food and Drug Administration’s warnings of increased mortality, the use of antipsychotics as a chemical restraint in nursing home residents who have dementia still persists. Significant morbidity – including higher blood sugar and cholesterol levels, weight gain, increased risk of falls, and decreased cognition – also are associated with the use of antipsychotics. These complications can lead to or cause a worsening of other primary diagnoses known to affect older adults.(2)
CMS plans to monitor the reduction of antipsychotics, as well as the possible consequences, review the cases of residents whose antipsychotics are withdrawn to make sure they don’t suffer an unnecessary decline and add the antipsychotic measure to the calculations that CMS makes for each nursing home’s rating on the agency’s Five Star Quality Rating System.
Coming in 2017 and beyond:
Avoiding potentially inappropriate medications in older adults remains important for quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries, according to CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. (3) Medications will continue to be at the forefront when it comes to star quality measures.
So what are you doing to be proactive? Are you implementing programs to help stay ahead of the game? Pharmacogenetic testing is a fully reimbursed diagnostic test that is easy to implement and gives you scientific-based evidence on how each individual person receives therapy from the medication they are taking today, and a roadmap for medications in the future.
At PGx Medical our consultants travel around the country educating and implementing pharmacogenetics into aging services communities. Our team stays up-to-date on CMS guidelines, the best labs and services that offer your community the most detailed information your clinical staff needs to make informed therapeutic decisions.
Beginning October, 1, 2016, PGx Medical is accepting a select number of nursing and assisted living facilities across the country to be part of their PILOT PROGRAM. Our team will educate your team on this no-cost program, and work alongside you to implement results. Pharmacogenetic testing is a great way to reduce unnecessary medications and can be added as part of your admissions process for all new residents with medical necessity.
For more information about the PILOT PROGRAM, or to request information on pharmacogenetic testing, contact us at: info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112.
Source: (1) ascp.com, (2) dads.state.tx.us, (3) cms.gov