Geriatric Psychiatrist Amita R Patel MD Inc Dayton, Ohio
Session Summary: This session examines the unintended consequences of CMS regulations limiting psychotropic use in long-term care. Speakers will cover recent regulatory updates, Project PAUSE advocacy efforts, and the clinical realities of meeting survey requirements without compromising patient care. Through real-world cases, participants will learn to apply scalable nonpharmacologic interventions, determine when medications are clinically justified, and document effectively to support compliance and patient rights. The session offers practical tools for interdisciplinary teams to balance safety, regulatory demands, and ethical psychiatric treatment in post-acute and long-term care settings.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this session, learners will be able to:
Identify key CMS regulations affecting psychotropic prescribing in long-term care.
Describe the unintended clinical and ethical consequences of these regulations for older adults with serious mental illness in LTC.
Develop strategies for documentation, advocacy, and collaboration to protect patients' rights while staying compliant.
