Oldie but Goodie
The use of antipsychotic drugs on the elderly has sparked a series of
lawsuits and criticism from reform groups and advocates fighting for
better regulation and enforcement.
According to federal government statistics, 16 percent of residents
in California nursing homes are on antipsychotic drugs. Although these
drugs are often used to control and sedate residents, they also pose an
increased risk of death in patients with dementia.
To blur the lines even more, the FDA has not approved the use of
antipsychotic drugs on elderly patients diagnosed with dementia.
In this segment of "SoCal Connected," reporter Val Zavala reveals the
story of retired preschool teacher Aleah Davis, who filed a lawsuit
against a nursing home company, Country Villa.
"I always ask what I'm getting, and now I am able to tell when I get
the medication what’s in the cup. I've learned to ask and I have learned
that I have rights," Davis told KCET's "SoCal Connected."
Current law requires doctors to obtain a patient's informed consent
before prescribing antipsychotics.
A recent campaign to reduce
antipsychotic use in nursing homes has been successful, but reformers
say progress is not enough and thousands of nursing home residents are
still being overmedicated.
What is being done to change the culture of overmedication within nursing home? Zavala investigates.
Full Article & Source:
Overmedicated and Misinformed
No comments:
Post a Comment