In 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) introduced the Final Rule, a set of new regulations that significantly impact LTC pharmacy services. The most taxing phase of the Final Rule, Phase 2, went into effect just a couple months ago, in November 2017. While Phase 1 introduced a number of important medication-related changes that affect LTC pharmacy and residents, Phase 2 is far more complex, involving several pertinent medication-related topics. Before the implementation of Phase 2, we explored the implications of some of the coming medication-related changes concerning psychotropic medications in particular. But to ensure you’re prepared for the new year, we wanted offer an updated, in-depth review of some of the most fundamental medication-related changes. Let’s take a look.
Final Rule Phase 2’s Impact on LTC Pharmacy Services: New Regulations Regarding Crushed and Enteral Tube Medication Administration
As organizations have been preparing for Phase 2 changes, the administration of crushed and enteral tube medications has been a hot topic. Best practices indicate that crushed medications should not be combined and administered all at one time, either orally or via feeding tube. As such, the advanced copy of Appendix PP and Surveyor Guidance indicates that SNF staff members are to administer each crushed oral medication separately. So each medication being administered to residents would be delivered, for example, in a separate applesauce or pudding supply. While CMS believes this practice to be the standard, many in the industry hold that CMS’ approach may not be ideal for all residents. Because of this, failing to administer these medications separately will not be considered a medication error unless specific instructions about crushing and administering the medication are not followed. To stay in compliance with the new regulations, it’s important for Skilled Nursing Facilities to keep the following updates top-of-mind when administering crushed and enteral tube medications:- Oral medications—As part of Phase 2 changes, the oral administration of crushed medications to residents will be person-centered and will not result in a medication error if medications are administered together. However, appropriately documenting residents’ desires related to medication administration is advisable.
- Enteral tube medications—Enteral tube administration requires flushing between each medication, or a medication error will be counted for each medication without a flush in between.
Final Rule Phase 2’s Impact on LTC Pharmacy Services: Medication Regimen Review Changes and Recommendations Follow-up
Many long-term care residents have multiple disease states that require numerous medications. This leads to medication regimens that are complex and have the potential to increase residents’ risk for adverse reactions. One way to potentially minimize these adverse reactions is to use a Medication Regimen Review, provided by a consultant pharmacist. These reviews may help prevent drug interactions as well as help identify omissions, duplications of therapy, and miscommunication between care providers. There are two key focus points of Phase 2 changes to the Medication Regimen Review requirement:- Helping residents maintain their highest level of function
- Preventing or minimizing adverse consequences related to medication therapy
- A licensed pharmacist’s review of each resident’s medication regimen at least once a month—The consultant pharmacist’s review will include a review of the resident’s complete medical record/chart.
- More frequent reviews of medication regimens depending upon residents’ conditions and the risks or adverse consequences related to current medication(s)—A consultant pharmacist will review the medication regimen of a specific resident upon request by any member of the interdisciplinary team, based upon a change in resident status and/or the presence of an adverse consequence.
- Reports of irregularities to residents’ attending physicians and facility Medical Directors and Directors of Nursing—The consultant pharmacist will identify irregularities through a variety of resources and review specific resident information using any medical information available for the resident.
- Proof of action taken in response to the irregularities identified—Physicians may either accept and act upon the suggestions, or reject the suggestions and provide an explanation for disagreeing. All recommendations must be reviewed and responded to.
Final Rule Phase 2’s Impact on LTC Pharmacy Services: Guidelines for Psychotropic Medications
A psychotropic medication is any medication that affects brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics are some examples of the different categories that psychotropic medications can fall under. Until recently, CMS’ focus has primarily been centered around antipsychotic medications. However, with the new regulations in place, the focus will now shift to all psychotropic medication classes. The required provisions of the CMS Final Rule Phase 2 aim to reduce or eliminate the need for psychotropic medications, if not clinically contraindicated, to safeguard residents’ health. National prevalence of antipsychotic use for long-term care residents has fallen, but for providers that still have a high rate of use, CMS has identified a new goal of a 15-percent reduction in antipsychotic use by 2019. With this new focus on reducing antipsychotic medication rates, those in the industry will notice a marked shift toward the use of nonpharmacologic approaches and person-centered care practices. As such, according to the Final Rule, when prescribing psychotropic medications based on a comprehensive assessment of a resident, the facility must ensure that:- All residents who have not previously been prescribed psychotropic medications must have a specific condition requiring the use of the medication and have that condition or diagnosis documented in the resident’s clinical records.
- Residents already taking psychotropic medications should receive gradual dose reductions and nonpharmacologic interventions, unless clinically inappropriate, with the goal being to eventually discontinue the medication.
- Residents who require psychotropic medications on an as-needed (PRN) basis must have documentation in their clinical record of the specific condition that requires the use of the medication.
- PRN psychotropic medications are limited to 14 days. If extended therapy beyond 14 days is required, the prescriber must document the reasoning in the resident’s clinical record and indicate the new duration of use.
- All PRN antipsychotic medications are limited to 14 days. If there is a clinical reason to continue the order, the prescriber must evaluate the resident for appropriateness and write a new order that will be limited to another 14 days. This process must be repeated with each subsequent order.
