The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved legislation to better protect the health of residents in long-term care and assisted living centers.

House Bill 1877, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, creates new procedures to further slow the over-prescribing of antipsychotic drugs to elderly Oklahomans in such facilities.     

Coleman said, “This will ensure that a resident’s family is told when their loved one is prescribed these types of drugs and know of any adverse reactions, so they can make informed decisions about their care moving forward.”    

Under HB 1877, patients who are categorized as needing medical assistance and have been prescribed an antipsychotic must be monitored quarterly for adverse effects and that they or their representative remain informed of their condition. It also requires staff to be trained to be aware of the side effects of antipsychotic use.

Antipsychotics are used to reduce agitation and other disruptive behaviors, which are often symptoms of underlying illnesses or conditions that, without a proper medical diagnosis, may go untreated. These drugs are often prescribed to patients with dementia, and numerous studies have found that their use can contribute to accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of stroke, pneumonia and death.      

A 2019 report by the House Ways and Means Committee Majority found that while only about 2% of skilled nursing facility residents in the U.S. qualified for an antipsychotic prescription, some 20% of residents were receiving the drugs.