Antipsychotics Resources Abound 7/1/2012 Page ContentStaff and practitioner education and training regarding antipsychotic medications are key to any efforts to reduce these drugs’ use in long term care. Fortunately, there are many tools and materials already in existence. These include:■ “Dementia Beyond Drugs: Changing the Culture of Care,” G. Allen Power, MD■ Long Term Care Prescribing of Antipsychotic Medications: www.amda.com/governance/resolutions/E12.cfm■ Clinical Practice Guideline: Dementia: www.amda.com/tools/guidelines.cfm#dementia■ Clinical Practice Guideline: Delirium and Acute Problematic Behavior: www.amda.com/tools/guidelines.cfm#dapb■ The Use of Antipsychotic Medications in Nursing Home Residents—Questions and Answers: www.ascp.com/sites/default/files/ASCP-QnA-AntipsychoticsFinal.pdf■ A Systematic Evidence Review of Non-pharmacological Interventions for Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK54971/■ Initiative to Improve Behavioral Health and Reduce the Use of Antipsychotic Medications in Nursing Homes Residents (Handouts): http://surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/pubs/VideoInformation.aspx?cid=1098■ What You Should Know to Fight the Misuse of Psychoactive Drugs in California Nursing Homes: http://www.canhr.org/reports/2010/Toxic_Medicine.pdf■ Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update: http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productid=786■ Guide to the Management of Psychotic Disorders and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia in Older Adults: http://dementia.americangeriatrics.org/ASGGeriPsychConsult.pdf■ Implementation Guide: Reducing the Use of Daily Physical Restraints: www.nhqualitycampaign.org/files/impguides/3_PhysicalRestraints_TAW_Guide.pdf■ Talking Points: Appropriate Prescribing of Antipsychotics: www.amda.com/advocacy/AMDA_Antipsychotics_Tlkg_Pts.pdf Related News Management Increasing Accessibility for Residents with Low Vision According to the Royal National Institute of Blind People, more than half of residents in assisted living or care homes are blind or have low vision. Long term care facilities cannot afford to treat vision loss as a marginal issue. READ MORE Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Quality Using Psychological Safety to Build a QAPI Culture QAPI has the potential for meaningful change as long as it is not reduced to a compliance exercise—documents filed away, minutes recorded, and action items noted. READ MORE Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Quality Improving Section GG Accuracy Through QAPI Common issues are incomplete or missing observations, inconsistent input across disciplines, or the lack of an interdisciplinary effort to determine usual performance. The QAPI process is an effective method for facility teams to identify and address the root causes of these issues. READ MORE View All News Related Articles Quality Awards 9/8/2025 2025 AHCA/NCAL Awards Program Honorees The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) pay tribute to the best and brightest in long term and post-acute care. READ MORE Diet Caregiving 9/8/2025 5 Key Nutrition Considerations for Senior Living While taste, selection, and ambiance are all important to successful dining for seniors, there are some key nutritional issues to keep in mind. READ MORE Caregiving Quality 9/8/2025 A Team-Based Approach to Managing Quality Measures Successful quality measure management relies upon a shared commitment to data accuracy, timely communication, and coordinated care. READ MORE