For Immediate Release                                                                                                               Contact: Rebecca Reid
March 2, 2016                                                                                                                                               410-212-3843

 

Texas Nursing Homes Continue to Outpace the Nation on Progress to Reduce the Use of Off Label Antipsychotics

 

Long Term Care Leaders One a Month Campaign Urges Providers To Explore Strategies to Replace Use of Antipsychotics with Alternative Interventions

 (Austin, TX) – According to recently posted data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) indicates Texas has improved its national rank in reducing the use of antipsychotic medications in its nursing homes.  Data through October 2015 indicates that Texas has improved the reduction of antipsychotic use by 7.99% while the national improvement average was 6.44%.

“The concerted efforts by all long term care stakeholders in Texas is reflected in the steady progress providers continue to make in the reduction of the use of antipsychotics in nursing home care,” said Gloria Bean-Williams, RN, CDP, Director of Clinical & Quality Services, Texas Health Care Association (THCA). “Texas nursing home providers are improving quicker than the nation. That is encouraging news and we intend to keep up the momentum.”

In partnership with federal and state agencies, along with nursing homes and stakeholders across the country, CMS launched the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes in 2013 with an initial focus on reducing  the use of antipsychotic medications.  As part of this effort, CMS set a goal of 25% reduction in 2015 and 30% reduction by the end of 2016.

Committed to achieving the goals set forth as part of this national initiative, long term care leaders across Texas have embarked on multiple initiatives intent on reducing the reliance on the use of antipsychotic medications.

In October 2015, long term care stakeholders and providers from across Texas launched the One a Month campaign to commit to transitioning at least one resident a month off of these medications by using nonpharmacological interventions.

In addition, THCA supported the Texas Reducing Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes (T.R.A.I.N.) seminars, developed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, and encouraged long term care providers and caregivers to attend the educational sessions and learn the latest techniques and strategies proving effective in reducing the use of off-label antipsychotics.

THCA continues to focus on future learning opportunities, including the April 5-7^th 2016 “Commitment to Care” THCA 2016 Spring Conference & Resource Fair where several sessions are dedicated to the improvement in care and activities provided to those with Dementia as well as strategies for the safe reduction of antipsychotic medications.

THCA also encourages participation in the Eden Alternative grant funded opportunity titled “Creating a Culture of Person-Directed Dementia Care.”  This project involves delivery of a unique educational package that includes Dementia Beyond Drugs, an Eden Alternative training featuring award-winning author and geriatrician Dr. Al Power. Dr. Power will provide participants unique insight and a deeper dive into caring for those with Dementia. An additional project option also features the opportunity to experience an 8-week online training called the Care Partner Workshop that deepens and supports the person-directed practices shared in Dementia Beyond Drugs.

Long term care leaders look to 2015 4^th quarter data that will reflect reduction efforts since nursing home providers actively engaged in One a Month and the T.R.A.I.N. initiatives.

 

# # #

 

About THCA

Founded in 1950, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA) is the largest long-term care association in Texas. THCA’s membership is comprised of several hundred licensed non-profit and for-profit skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), specialized rehabilitation facilities and assisted living facilities in Texas. These facilities provide comprehensive, around-the-clock nursing care for chronically ill or short-term residents of all ages, along with rehabilitative and specialized medical programs. THCA also represents more than 190 long-term care businesses that provide products and services to the state’s approximately 2,850 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. To learn more, visit http://txhca.org/ or connect with THCA on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

To learn more about Commitment to Care, please visit txhca.org/quality-care/commitment-to-care. For ongoing Twitter updates and information, follow @TXHCA and the #Commit2Care hashtag