Protecting Resident Privacy and Prohibiting Mental Abuse Related to Photographs and Audio/Video Recordings by Nursing Home Staff

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Memorandum Summary Freedom from Abuse: Each resident has the right to be free from all types of abuse, including mental abuse. Mental abuse includes, but is not limited to, abuse that is facilitated or caused by nursing home staff taking or using photographs or recordings in any manner that would demean or humiliate a resident(s). Facility and State Agency Responsibilities: …

HRQ Effective Health Care Technical Brief

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Resident Safety Practices in Nursing Home Settings Structured Abstract   Access the full report here: https://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/621/2224/nursing-home-safety-report-160510.pdf   Background. Resident safety issues are common in nursing homes. Relevant literature reports a range of poor clinical outcomes thought to be preventable if specific care processes were consistently implemented. Purpose. To describe the state of the science around nursing home safety in order to …

OIG Mid-Year Update to Work Plan

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

The OIG has posted a mid-year update to its work plan. Are you visiting the OIG website on a regular basis to educate yourself on focus areas for LTC? If not, consider flagging your calendar to do so on a quarterly basis.  There are three new reports pending re: SNFs/NFs posted, please visit the link below. As always, should you …

OIG Informs KAHCF of More Changes in Survey Enforcement Process

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

In a conference call with the Office of Inspector General, KAHCF was informed that another change is immediately in effect for the survey enforcement process. Sanctions have previously been issued when facilities had surveys with the noncompliance scope & severity of G level (actual harm) or higher on a current survey as well as on the previous standard survey (standard, revisit, complaint). …

Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) and You!

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

The rate of C diff infections in the US and the world have increased in the last decade along with associated morbidity and mortality. CDI (clostridium difficile infection) symptoms can range from mild diarrhea to severe cases including pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon and death. It is estimated that the incidence of CDI in 2011 in the US was 95.3 …

Survey Focus – Enabler Bars and Side Rails

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Providers across the country have recently experienced surveys with an emphasis on the risks of enabler bars (assistive devices).  These devices are being cited as restraints (F221) or potential/actual accidents (F323) due to the risk of entrapment.  It is important to know that the regulations related to restraints and assist devices has not changed.  Surveyors have been educated on the …

Corporate Compliance Seminar: Register Now!

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

    Corporate Compliance Seminar Tuesday, June 21, 2016       A full day seminar devoted to Corporate Compliance. Through dynamic presenters with extensive experience in specific aspects in the development and implementation of compliance programs, attendees will move from the basic structure of an effective program, to operationalizing a compliance program. This will include a very unique opportunity to …

LEIE – OIG – Database

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

For years it has been recommended that prior to hiring a new employee the facility policy require that the LEIE database be checked.  This database provides insight into a perspective employees background and their ability to care for the frail elderly.  The OIG has released an updated exclusion list and it is available for you to access at http://oig.hhs.gov/exclusions/exclusions_list.asp_list.asp.  If …

Brown University Survey on Camera Use

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

Researchers at Brown University are conducting a short, 8-question multiple choice national anonymous survey to learn about nursing center and assisted living policies regarding camera use in resident rooms. Read the release: Brown University Survey on Camera Use

Department of Justice Launches 10 Regional Elder Justice Task Forces

Angie SzumlinskiUncategorized

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, March 30, 2016 Department of Justice Launches 10 Regional Elder Justice Task Forces   Today, the Department of Justice announced the launch of 10 regional Elder Justice Task Forces.  These teams will bring together federal, state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and agencies that provide services to the elderly, to coordinate and enhance efforts to pursue …