Relates to the use of psychotropic medications in nursing homes and adult care facilities

• Democratic31

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Luis R. Sepúlveda says this is needed

Under section 2803-c(3) of the Public Health Law, patients residing in nursing homes have the right to be fully informed of their condition and any proposed treatment, to refuse treatment, and to be free from chemi- cal restraints unless such a prescription is consistent with certain requirements that limit duration and guide use necessitated by an emer- gency. Psychotropic medications are drugs that affect brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior including antipsychotics, antidepressants, antianxiety drugs and hypnotics. Spurred by published reports, the Assembly Committee on Health held a public hearing in February 2015 to examine the use of psychotropic drugs in nursing homes. Consensus emerged that in far too many instances, psychotropic drugs are used without a differential diagnosis of mental illness, in order to quiet and calm patients who may be simply upset or excitable. Given that activities and diversions have been proven to effectively reduce disruptions related to simple anxiety, dementia and emotional upset, it is not in many patients' interests to expose them to the dangerous side effects of psychotropic drugs which include cognitive decline and addiction. This bill would require that before such drugs are ordered for a patient in a nursing home, the patient or their lawful surrogate be fully informed of the nature and seriousness of their condition, the anticipated benefit from the medication, the dosage and duration of the prescription, the probability, nature and degree of side effects, the reasonable alternatives to the drug and why the health care professional prefers the drug in this instance, and that the patient has the right to refuse consent for the drug, or later to revoke their consent.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.