Session Summary: Preventing unnecessary medication use—especially psychotropics—remains a top priority for federal regulators. With the April 2025 updates to the State Operations Manual and surveyor guidance, heightened attention is now on unnecessary medications, chemical restraints, and the appropriate use of psychotropics in post-acute and long-term care.
This session goes beyond regulatory compliance to examine the bigger picture of psychotropic prescribing. Using national data trends from pre- and post-pandemic periods, as well as before and after the 2025 guidance revisions, we will explore how prescribing patterns have evolved, what challenges persist for prescribers and care teams, and where the greatest opportunities for improvement lie. Participants will gain actionable strategies to align practice with best-in-class standards, reduce unnecessary use, strengthen documentation, and ensure person-centered care.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of this session, learners will be able to:
Interpret national psychotropic prescribing and utilization trends in post-acute and long-term care, and compare them to their own facility’s performance.
Identify specific opportunities to improve psychotropic use while maintaining resident safety and dignity.
Enhance documentation and communication processes to support regulatory expectations and best clinical practices.
