Videoconferencing Between Hospital Clinicians and Nursing Home Staff Lowers Use of Physical Restraint, Antipsychotics in Patients with Dementia
Beth Israel Lahey HealthNursing homes care for increasing numbers of people with dementia, yet many lack access to geriatric psychiatrists, behavioral neurologists and other specialists who can help manage dementia care. Consequently, nursing home staff may resort to physical restraints or antipsychotic medications to manage behavioral challenges. A new study led by BIDMC has found that use of video consultations between nursing home staff and hospital clinical experts was associated with significant reductions in the use of physical restraints and antipsychotic medication among dementia patients.