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
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
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
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!
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
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!
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
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 …
Department of Justice Launches 10 Regional Elder Justice Task Forces
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 …