nursing, drugs, homes, patients, elderly, federal, antipsychotic, drug, warnings, dementia
We often write on the overuse of dangerous medications in nursing homes – a practice known as chemical restraint – on this blog. It is an extremely important, insidious issue that has been hidden by nursing homes for far too long. Recently, federal investigators urged Medicare to take immediate action to stop chemical restraint after investigations found widespread drug abuse.
The findings of this federal investigation are scheduled for release on Monday, March 9, 2015, so check back for more details at that time. Throughout his tenure, President Obama has been working with nursing homes to curtail the use of dangerous drugs; specifically, the use of antipsychotic drugs, which have Black Box Warnings against use in elderly patients with dementia.
Antipsychotic drugs include: Risperdal, Haldol, Zyprexa, Abilify, Seroquel, Geodon and clozapine. These drugs are intended only for patients with psychotic conditions, such as schizophrenia or severe bipolar disorder. Many of these drugs, Risperdal particularly, are used inappropriately in the general population as well as in nursing homes. More information on Risperdal injury lawsuits can be found here.
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According to federal investigators, the Department of Health and Human Services (which oversees Medicare and Medicaid) has done little to reduce antipsychotic drugs use in the elderly. Doctors sometimes prescribe these drugs to elderly patients with combative symptoms of dementia, such as hitting or yelling. This is not only extremely dangerous, but it is abusive and negligent as well.
Chemical restraints are common practice in nursing homes that have an inadequate number of employees. Because the staff is overworked, they are unable to care for each resident properly, particularly those who need more individual care and attention. In order to subdue, restrain, or make it easier to care for these residents, they are dosed with antipsychotic drugs.
Dementia is a complex and not-well-understood disease that causes severe changes in personality and mood, frequently resulting in agitation, violence or agitation. Understaffed nursing homes often turn to chemical restraints to suppress these symptoms of dementia, despite
repeated warnings from the FDA.
According to these warnings, antipsychotic drug use in dementia patients is associated with increased risk of death and, if the patient survives, a severely decreased quality of life. The drugs can also increase the risk of serious falls, fractures, hospitalizations and other severe complications.
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In February 2014 a psychiatrist in Chicago pled guilty to taking illegal kickbacks to prescribe clozapine (brand name Clozaril or FazaClo). Dr. Michael J. Reinstein received more than $600,000 to give this drug to thousands of elderly and mentally ill patients at 30 nursing homes. As a result of the lawsuit against him, Reinstein will pay $3.79 million to federal and state governments.
Reinstein was also accused of taking illegal kickbacks, consulting fees, and entertainment expenses from the companies that sell clozapine. These companies, Teva Pharmaceuticals and IVAX Pharmaceuticals, agreed to pay $27.6 million to settle the allegations against them from this case.
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Our team of Chicago nursing home attorneys are currently investigating cases of serious injury and death from inappropriate medications. If you or someone you love was mistreated in a nursing home, contact our firm immediately. We provide free, confidential case reviews to concerned parties nationwide.
Call or text (800) 842-6336 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
