A national campaign to cut the use of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes appears to be working, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said Aug. 27.

Nursing homes are using antipsychotics less and instead pursuing more patient-centered treatment for dementia and other behavioral health care. CMS reported the use of such medications in long stay nursing home residents has been reduced by 9.1 percent by the first quarter of 2013, compared to the last quarter of 2011.

Unnecessary antipsychotic drug use is a significant challenge in dementia care, the agency said in a press release. CMS data indicate that in 2010 more than 17 percent of nursing home patients had daily doses exceeding recommended levels. CMS in response launched the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in 2012. The Partnership’s goal is to reduce antipsychotic drug usage by 15 percent by the end of 2013.