Funding would allow testing of new payment model for nursing facility care

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a new funding opportunity designed to enhance the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents. The funding opportunity will allow the organizations currently participating in the Initiative to apply to test whether a new payment model for nursing facilities and practitioners will further reduce avoidable hospitalizations, lower combined Medicare …

Adverse Events in Nursing Homes

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Office of Inspector General Report: Adverse Events in SNFs:  National Incidence among Medicare Beneficiaries In February 2014, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) released its report Adverse Events in SNFs:  National Incidence among Medicare Beneficiaries.   It reported that one in three skilled nursing facility (SNF) beneficiaries were harmed by an adverse event or temporary harm event within the first 35 …

HIGHLIGHT: Resources for Increasing Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Personnel in Long-term Settings

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) developed a toolkit to help long-term care employers and administrators promote influenza vaccination among their workforce and to help anyone working in LTC facilities understand the importance of influenza vaccination for LTC workers. The toolkit is available now to aid in early flu vaccination planning efforts! This toolkit is …

The Impact of Workplace Violence on Healthcare and Social Service Workers

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

With the recent on air slayings of a well-loved television reporter and photographer, the recent release of the OSHA Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence publication release is timely.  This publication is a guideline/recommendation and not a requirement or law.  That said, our communities are home for frail, elderly, dependent seniors and our responsibility is to provide a safe environment.  Per …

CMS Proposes Major Initiative for Hip & Knee Replacements

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Model supports quality and care improvements for patient’s transition from surgery to recovery   Hip and knee replacements are some of the most common surgeries that Medicare beneficiaries receive. In 2013, there were more than 400,000 inpatient primary procedures, costing Medicare more than $7 billion for hospitalization alone. While some incentives exist for hospitals to avoid post-surgery complications that can …

2015 Focused Dementia Care Survey Expansion Efforts

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

2015 FOCUSED DEMENTIA CARE SURVEY EXPANSION EFFORTS   Upon completion of the initial 2014 Focused Dementia Care Survey Pilot, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revised survey materials and tools based upon surveyor feedback and data analysis. CMS is now expanding upon the work of the focused survey pilot and has invited states to conduct such surveys in FY2015 (ends …

AHCA/NCAL: Responsible Use of Antibiotics

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

For Immediate Release                   June 2, 2015   AHCA/NCAL Taking Steps to Ensure the Responsible Use of Antibiotics Association pledges support of President’s antibiotic stewardship initiative at White House event   Washington, DC — The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) today reinforced its commitment to the responsible use of antibiotics in assisted living, long term …

Review and Status of Nursing Home Survey: Summary of Traditional and Quality Indicator Survey (QIS)

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Nursing Home Survey Evaluation: For the past 10 years, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the States have used two standard survey processes that assess the quality of care and quality of life for nursing home residents. Enclosed is a review of both the traditional survey and QIS processes.   Survey Efficiency and Effectiveness: The CMS is …

Professional Liability Toolkit – AHCA

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

A newly revised Arbitration Agreement template is the first product being made available as part of the AHCA’s Professional Liability Toolkit. The revision replaces earlier versions, dated 2002 and 2004, said a memo about the product from Dianne De La Mare, AHCA vice president of legal affairs. “The association continues to assert that one of the best ways to avoid …

Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence – OSHA

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Jackson Lewis P.C. and Lyn Bentley, AHCA OSHA recently released an update to its Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers The publication includes industry best practices and provides some insight on how to reduce the risk of violence in various health care and social service settings. In the document, OSHA recommends that health care providers …