The HealthCap QA Reader program has grown tremendously in the past year and many HealthCap members are enjoying the benefit of having flagged incidents reviewed by Risk Management. The review process includes recommendations to address common types of incidents, documentation best practices and the provision of emergency services. Over the past couple of weeks I have reviewed several incident reports …
FDA Warns Against Using Uncle Ben's Infused Rice
FDA NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: Feb. 10, 2014 Media Inquiries: Theresa Eisenman, 301-796-2805 theresa.eisenman@fda.hhs.gov Consumer Inquiries: 1-888-INFO-FDA FDA warns against using Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Mars Foodservices recalls all lot numbers of Infused Rice linked to recent illness in Texas Fast Facts Government officials are investigating a cluster of illnesses associated with Uncle Ben's Infused Rice Mexican Flavor sold …
Canada's Recent Senior Housing Tragedy Reminds Us of the Critical Importance of Fire Safety
As published on Provider Nation, the official blog of Provider Magazine, January 17, 2014 By Stan Szpytek, reposted with permission Good afternoon, ProviderNation. While the heartbreaking details of a devastating fire that destroyed a seniors housing property continues to emerge from a small village in Quebec known as L’Isle-Verte, all long term care providers, as well as operators of independent …
Staff Education and Quality Care…Do They Go Together?
Program Designed to Address Quality of Care Through Education and Certification Heidi Keeler, PhD, RN Nursing staff education is one area that is targeted when assessing risk and when investigating incidents. However, it is often the first area targeted when balancing the budget in this world of ever dwindling resources. Staff education is an easy budget cut, but is this …
Hepatitis B – CDC Guidance
Healthcare providers face many risks during the provision of care, however the Hepatitis B virus continues to be a real concern. The CDC has published an updated guidance for healthcare providers including evaluating personnel for Hepatitis B virus protection and for administering post-exposure management. Hepatitis B (HB) has long been recognized as an occupational risk for health-care personnel (HCP), including …
Contact precautions should be extended to all MRSA carriers in a nursing home
Patient Safety and Quality As promised in our last blog posting here is updated information/recommendations from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The statistics are obviously telling however how the recommendations are implemented may be challenging. AHRQ is a highly respected agency and works closely with health care organizations to improve quality. “Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a …
Links found between nursing homes and hospitals in spread of MRSA
Patient Safety and Quality The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) performed a recent study on the spread of MRSA and the findings are interesting. “Individual hospitals or hospital systems may not consider the role of patients who transfer in and out of the hospital from nursing homes when planning their infection control strategies. That may be a mistake, …
Training Requirements OSHA's Revised Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA recently revised its Hazard Communication Standard to align it with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). By December 1, 2013, all employers covered by OSHA’s hazard communication standard – including virtually all nursing homes and assisted living facilities – must train their employees on the standard’s changes to chemical hazard labeling and …
The Price of Beauty – Managing Electric Hair Dryer Risk
By Erica Holman, NHA, MSW & Angie Szumlinski, NHA, RN-BC, RAC-CT, BS Sometimes Risk Management involves delivering an unpopular message with a limited number of options. That’s the dilemma faced when Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities try to manage risk exposures related to the use of electric hair dryers when oxygen is in use. Having a routine or an …
Federal Government Shutdown – What Now?
Yes it has happened, the Federal government has shut down and many aspects of life as we know it have been affected. HealthCap has received many questions from providers as to how this shutdown affects the day-to-day operations in our homes. In an effort to ensure continuity of care for the residents entrusted to us, the Department of Health and …