A largely hidden problem in US skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) has been the inappropriate and over-use of multiple psychotropic drugs in dementia patients. A two-year old telemedicine (telepsychiatry) company, Forefront TeleCare, is targeting SNFs and clinics in rural counties across 18 states. Rural areas have sparse behavioral health coverage; medications to mitigate the effects of dementia and other mental illnesses are often prescribed by non-psychiatrists who have a limited knowledge of their effects over time, particularly in older adults. Forefront’s virtual consults weekly can keep track of these patients and reduce, adjust or update their medications. Video (from ATA). MedCityNews.
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