presented by: Gary Massey
Tennessee Elderly Drug IllnessA recent study conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) showed that a number of U.S. nursing home facilities are not compliant with the federal regulations that govern residents who take atypical antipsychotic medicines.
The federal review found that in 99.5 percent of the 375 records reviewed, staff of nursing home facilities failed to meet one or more federal requirements for “resident assessments and/or care plans for residents taking atypical antipsychotics.” This new report was based on a previous study conducted by the OIG.
According to the OIG, the federal review found:
99 percent of records reviewed did not contain evidence of compliance with federal requirements for development of a care plan;
One-third of the records did not meet the federal requirements regarding resident assessments;
Nursing facility staff didn’t document consideration of the “resident assessment protocol for psychotropic drug use as required” in four percent of records; and
Eighteen percent of the records examined did not contain evidence which indicated that planned interventions for antipsychotic drug use occurred.
The report does indicate that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) had agreed to implement the following changes, including taking appropriate action to address noncompliance with federal requirements. Also, CMS aims to improve the detection of noncompliance for resident assessments and care plans for residents who are receiving antipsychotic drugs and provide methods for nursing facilities to enhance the usefulness and development of resident assessments and care plans.
At Massey & Associates, P.C., we’ve seen nursing homes in Chattanooga not providing adequate care increasing at an alarming and unacceptable rate. We are dedicated to the safety of our elderly and weakest citizens and are committed to reminding negligent nursing home administrators and other at-fault parties that there are those that will hold them accountable.
Our nursing home abuse attorneys in Tennessee understand how important it is for nursing homes to provide the highest quality of care to residents and comply with any federal requirements in regards to such care. If a nursing home acts negligently and does not provide the best care possible, the wellbeing of an elderly resident may be put at risk. If you feel your elderly loved one has been subject to abuse or neglect, schedule a free consultation with our legal team to discuss your case by calling (423) 396-0720.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
