According to a recent Connecticut Health I-Team article, Connecticut’s rate of prescribing antipsychotic medications in nursing homes has dropped 14% since 2011. Connecticut still remains among the top 20 states who prescribe these drugs to nursing home residents, but no longer ranks among the top four states, as it did from 2005 to 2010. The state is currently ranked 18th highest in the nation, down from 16th highest in 2011.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began collecting the data in recent years, in response to concern over the inappropriate use of these drugs in nursing homes. Antipsychotic drug use declined nationally by 9% in 2012, short of CMS’ goal of a 15% reduction. However, CMS cites the decrease as evidence that nursing homes are generally using more patient-centered dementia treatments, such as behavioral interventions.
According to the article, 11 states met or exceeded the 15% reduction goal in 2012, including Maine, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
While some Connecticut nursing homes have reduced inappropriate use of these medications, others still have above average usage rates. The article notes that in more than 10% of nursing homes, at least one-third of residents receive these medications, with usage rates as high as 67%.
Several Connecticut health care groups have formed a coalition coordinated by a Medicare quality-improvement organization, Qaulidigm, to improve dementia care and reduce antipsychotic drug use.
