MEDICAL-CARE OF NURSING-HOME RESIDENTS

Objective: To present an overview of the special challenges of providi ng medical care for nursing home residents. Design: After researching the current medical literature, we summarized information on nursing h ome demographics, government regulations, and specific care issues for medical practice in nursing homes. Results: Almost 2 million American s currently live in more than 20,000 nursing homes nationwide, and the se nursing home residents are increasingly older and more frail than i n the past. Most nursing home residents receive multiple prescription medications, and many are cognitively and functionally impaired. Nursi ng home-acquired infections are a frequent occurrence, as are falls an d fall-related injuries. Recent federal laws have had a major effect o n medical care in the nursing home and have made physicians more accou ntable for the care provided. The use of physical restraints and psych otropic drugs has been severely restricted. Conclusion: The medical ca re of nursing home residents presents many challenges to primary-care physicians. Nevertheless, nursing home residents are among those patie nts in greatest need of competent, compassionate care. Despite numerou s disincentives, provision of medical care for nursing home residents can be gratifying.