An observational study of antipsychotic medication use among long-stay nursing home residents without qualifying diagnoses.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: In the United States, 15.5% of nursing home residents without qualifying diagnoses of schizophrenia, Huntington's' Disease, and/or Tourette Syndrome receive antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotic medications are used off-label (i.e., used in a manner the United States Food and Drug Administration's packaging insert does not specify) to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms, often before attempting nonpharmacologic interventions, despite evidence that this drug class is associated with significant adverse events including death. Less than optimal staffing resources and lack of access to geropsychiatric specialists are barriers to reducing antipsychotic use. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: Antipsychotic use occurred in 11.6% of nursing home residents without qualifying or potentially qualifying diagnoses (bipolar disorder and psychotic disorder); antipsychotic use was more prevalent in residents with a dementia diagnosis than those without. One additional registered nurse hour per resident day could reduce the odds of antipsychotic use by 52% and 56% for residents with and without a dementia diagnosis respectively. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Given the influence of total staffing and professional staff mix on risk of antipsychotic use, nursing home administrators may want to consider aspects of facility operation that impact antipsychotic use. More stringent Unites States' survey and certification standards for dementia care implemented in 2017 demand proactive person-centered care that promotes maximal well-being and functioning without risk of harm from inappropriate psychoactive medications. Mental health nurses have requisite training to provide expert person-centered care to nursing home residents with mental illness and geropsychiatric disorders. ABSTRACT: Introduction Antipsychotic use in nursing homes varies widely across the United States; inadequate staffing, skill mix, and geropsychiatric training impede sustained improvement. Aim This study identified risk factors of antipsychotic use in long-stay residents lacking qualifying or potentially qualifying diagnoses. Method This secondary analysis used 2015 Minimum Data Set and cost report data from 458 Missouri nursing homes. The full sample (N = 29,679) was split into two subsamples: residents with (N = 15,114) and without (N = 14,565) a dementia diagnosis. Separate logistic regression models were run. Results Almost 15% of the dementia subsample and 8.4% of the nondementia subsample received an antipsychotic medication in the past week. Post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis indicators, behavioral symptoms, anxiety medication with and without anxiety diagnosis, depression medication with and without depression diagnosis, and nurse staffing were among the strongest predictors of antipsychotic use in both subsamples. Simulation analyses showed decreased odds of receiving an antipsychotic in both subsamples when registered nurse hours matched the national average. Discussion Matching nurse staffing mix to the national average may improve antipsychotic use in nursing homes. Implications Knowledge of antipsychotic use risk factors use can inform care planning and staff education to minimize use of these medications in all but severe cases.

Helping nursing homes "at risk" for quality problems: a statewide evaluation.

The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO), a state school of nursing project to improve quality of care and resident outcomes in nursing homes, has a special focus to help nursing homes identified as "at risk" for quality concerns. In fiscal year 2006, 92 of 492 Medicaid-certified facilities were identified as "at risk" using quality indicators (QIs) derived from Minimum Data Set (MDS) data. Sixty of the 92 facilities accepted offered on-site clinical consultations by gerontological expert nurses with graduate nursing education. Content of consultations include quality improvement, MDS, care planning, evidence-based practice, and effective teamwork. The 60 "at-risk" facilities improved scores 4%-41% for 5 QIs: pressure ulcers (overall and high risk), weight loss, bedfast residents, and falls; other facilities in the state did not. Estimated cost savings (based on prior cost research) for 444 residents who avoided developing these clinical problems in participating "at-risk" facilities was more than $1.5 million for fiscal year 2006. These are similar to estimated savings of $1.6 million for fiscal year 2005 when 439 residents in "at-risk" facilities avoided clinical problems. Estimated savings exceed the total program cost by more than $1 million annually. QI improvements demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of on-site clinical consultation by gerontological expert nurses with graduate nursing education.

Clinical information systems in nursing homes: an evaluation of initial implementation strategies.

This article presents qualitative results collected 6 months after implementation of a clinical information system in four nursing homes in the Midwestern USA. Researchers explored initial implementation strategies, discussed employee experiences and analyzed employee satisfaction. Transcript-based analysis and axial coding were completed to illustrate recurring phenomena. Common attributes were identified by two gerontological nurse experts and a researcher with human factors expertise. Common themes emerging from 22 focus groups and direct observation of more than 120 nursing home staff were perception and cognition, change, workable systems, competence, and connectedness. Implementation strategies associated with lower satisfaction were availability of equipment, training resources, and the presence of information technology professionals. Initial clinical information system implementation strategies and employee satisfaction could be enhanced by the inclusion of a system life cycle charter plan, emphasizing change management procedures, improving start-up projections, hiring adequately trained information technology staff, and providing a system support plan. Findings will be useful to administrators and policy makers who are contemplating implementation of a clinical information system.

Skin assessment and pressure ulcer care in hospital-based skilled nursing facilities.

The Minimum Data Set, a comprehensive assessment tool for nursing home residents, is used for clinical decision-making, research, quality improvement, and Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Within the Minimum Data Set, pressure ulcers and skin condition are evaluated. Because information about pressure ulcer prevalence and care in hospital-based skilled nursing facilities is sparse, a study was conducted to: a) determine pressure ulcer prevalence upon admission to hospital-based skilled nursing facilities in the state of Missouri, and b) ascertain methods of assessment, treatment, and documentation of skin and pressure ulcer care in these facilities. Prevalence data were obtained from analysis of the Minimum Data Set data, and a survey was conducted to obtain skin care practices. The vast majority of residents (96%) were admitted from acute care facilities, and pressure ulcer prevalence on admission was 18.4% +/- 8.0%. Seventy-seven percent (77%) of the 88 surveys mailed were returned. The Braden or Norton Scale for risk assessment is reportedly used by 55% of facilities; whereas, 35% use a facility-developed tool. Commonly reported pressure ulcer prevention/treatment interventions used include: dietitian referral, use of barrier ointments, and a written repositioning schedule. Incontinence management and minimizing the head of bed elevation were infrequently used. Nearly one-half (47%) of facilities reported daily reassessment and documentation of wound status, suggesting less-than-optimal, time-consuming wound care practices. Despite the limitations inherent in survey designs and the use of databases such as the Minimum Data Set, the results of this study suggest that pressure ulcers are a common problem in acute care and hospital-based skilled nursing facilities and research-based risk assessment, prevention, and wound assessment strategies have not been widely implemented. The results of this study provide a basis for developing educational programs and a guide for future research.