HHS watchdog details misuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes

Tara Bannow covers hospitals, providers, and insurers. You can reach Tara on Signal at tarabannow.70.

Two federal oversight reports released Thursday call on Medicare to intensify its oversight of nursing homes regarding the use of antipsychotic medications and the improper diagnosis of schizophrenia in dementia patients. 

One report from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General provides a detailed account of how some nursing homes use antipsychotic drugs as chemical restraints to ease the workload of their staff, often neglecting necessary patient protections. The second report reveals that some facilities are artificially boosting their quality ratings by incorrectly diagnosing residents with schizophrenia to justify the use of these medications. 

These issues are not new. They have been extensively studied in numerous studies and were the focus of a 2020 Congressional investigation. Additionally, the HHS OIG has previously highlighted these concerns. The latest reports aim to add depth to the understanding of the experiences of residents and caregivers and to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to enhance their regulatory measures.