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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) initiated the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes in 2012, which helped decrease antipsychotics use. However, inappropriate use of antipsychotics and other psychotropic medications to control behavioral symptoms associated with dementia persists. Nursing homes (NHs) can be flagged for inappropriate psychotropics use as a deficiency of care citation (F-758 tag). The purpose of this study was to comprehensively explore inappropriate psychotropic medication use deficiency, F-758 citations, in caring for NH residents with dementia. A mixed-methods study was performed. During the first quarter of 2018 (January–March), 3526 NHs were surveyed, of which 642 received F-758 tags. Of the 642, the sample was confined to the 444 NHs that received the citation for the care of residents with dementia. Information on deficiencies was obtained from 2018 Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting data. Inspection reports for deficiencies were obtained from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Home Compare and ProPublica. Quantitative analysis was used to examine the frequency of involved psychotropic medications, scope/severity of F-758 deficiency citations, and reasons for the citations. Reasons for F-758 citations by psychotropic medication categories and scope/severity of the citations were also examined using χ2 tests. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using content analysis with an inductive coding approach to summarize the inspection reports. Antipsychotics were the most involved drug category for F-758 tag citations. The 3 most common reasons for F-758 citations included failure to identify and/or monitor behavioral symptoms (178 NHs), attempt gradual drug reduction (131 NHs), and maintain 14-day limitations on Pro Re Nata (PRN) psychotropic orders (121 NHs). Compared with those with no involvement of antipsychotic drugs, facilities with antipsychotics-related F-758 tags had higher rates of failure to identify/monitor behavioral symptoms (P <.001), attempt gradual drug reduction (P <.001), and provide adequate indications for psychotropics use (P <.001). NHs with F-758 tags related to inappropriate antianxiety medication use had a higher prevalence of failure to maintain 14-day limitation on PRN orders (P <.001) and provide nonpharmacologic interventions (P <.001). This study suggests areas for improvement that could potentially reduce inappropriate psychotropics use. Supporting quality of dementia care workforce and improving cooperation within healthcare staff and professionals are recommended to ensure proper nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a method of research, pragmatic trials are recommended so as to generate results that are applicable to real-world care. This intent is especially important for the millions of older adults who receive long-term care in thousands of nursing homes and assisted living communities across the country—and many millions more around the globe. This article presents key points raised by experts participating in a conference funded by the National Institute of Aging held at the 2021 conference of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-term Care Medicine. The purpose of the conference was to convene leading clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to address special considerations of pragmatic trials in long-term care. Cross-cutting and unique challenges and solutions to conducting pragmatic trials were discussed focusing on 3 areas of clinical relevance to long-term care: (1) functional care and outcomes, (2) psychosocial care and quality of life, and (3) medical care and outcomes, with a special focus on persons with dementia. Challenges and innovative solutions were organized across the 9 domains of the revised Pragmatic-Explanatory Continuum Indicator Summary (PRECIS) Tool, and future research recommendations for pragmatic trials in long-term care were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]