Category: Long Term Care Blog

MLN 26th Annual Nursing Home Administrators Conference

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MLN 26th Annual Nursing Home Administrators Conference

  • March 2-4, 2017:  Annual Nursing Home Administrators Conference
  • Location:  Old Kinderhook, Camdenton

The 26th Annual Nursing Home Administrator Conference will provide nursing home administrators with the essential information needed to effectively serve long-term care residents and successfully perform their leadership role and job responsibilities. This program was specifically designed to provide 20 hours of CE credit.

 

Please see the brochure with registration on MLN’s event page.

MLN 64th Annual Long-Term Care Convention

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MLN 64th Annual Long-Term Care Convention

  • April 11-13, 2017:  Rejuvenate: Compassion, Relationships, Professionalism, Communication, Leadership
  • Location:  Tan-Tar-A Resort, Osage Beach

Our primary aim during this convention is to provide educational and networking opportunities that help you, our valued members, students, guests, and health care providers, in renewing your commitment to the people you serve. MLN’s commitment to our organizational values of caring, integrity, diversity and excellence, remains constant, championing your efforts to rejuvenate your professional skills and to provide extraordinary service to our communities, residents, and their family members who deserve no less.

 

Please see the brochure along with registration on MLN’s event page.

NEW FTags and Regulation Text

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NEW FTags and Regulation Text

This attachment contains the new regulatory language for long term care. The new regulations will be implemented in three phases. The document is color-coded for ease of identifying the requirements in each phase. The color codes are:

  • Phase 1 – Red – effective 11/28/16
  • Phase 2 – Blue – effective 11/28/17
  • Phase 3 – Green – effective 11/28/19

The training for Phase I is available to providers at the following link: surveyortraining.cms.hhs.gov/pubs/ProviderTraining.aspx

Self-Reporting Update

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Self-Reporting Update

SLCR has revised the Self-Reporting guidance (attached) to reflect the new regulatory requirements effective 11/28/16 regarding reporting of allegations of abuse or incidents that result in serious bodily injury. The self-reporting timeframes for these two areas has been reduced significantly. Please make sure these new requirements are implemented and policies and procedures are modified to reflect the changes.

Bathing Without a Battle Online Training

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Bathing Without a Battle Online Training

Bathing Without a Battle Launches Online Training Portal with Free Continuing Education Credit for Long-Term Care Staff.

The award-winning, evidence-based Bathing Without a Battle training on person-centered bathing for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is now accessible online free of charge. The interactive training provides 2½ hours of free continuing education credit for nurses and 2 hours of free credit for nursing assistants. Students who plan to enter long-term care or geriatric home care are also encouraged to participate in the online training.

Training can be accessed through the website www.bathingwithoutabattle.unc.edu. Once registered, users can open modules on practical approaches to showering, tub bathing, in-room bathing, and hair washing; information on innovative bathing equipment and supplies; recommendations for policy change within long-term care organizations; and guidance on regulatory compliance.

This new training modality is provided by a grant from the Retirement Research Foundation to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A condensed training DVD with printable Instructor’s Guide continues to be available for purchase for group in-service training or individual study.

QTSO Alert Memo, 11-11-16: MDS 3.0 ASAP Issue for NO and SO Assessment Records

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QTSO Alert Memo, 11-11-16: MDS 3.0 ASAP Issue for NO and SO Assessment Records

  • An issue has been identified with MDS 3.0 assessment records submitted to the ASAP system beginning October 1, 2016, through November 4, 2016 that impacts all NO and SO (Nursing Home and Swing Bed OMRA) assessment records with a target date on or after October 1, 2016. This issue involves submitted MDS response values for M0300B1, M0300C1, M0300D1, and M0300F1 for NO and SO assessment records. The submitted response values were not stored in the ASAP system and therefore were excluded from validation and RUG calculations.
  • All providers who submitted MDS NO and SO assessment records on or after October 1st through November 4th, with a target date of October 1, 2016 or after, must submit a modification record to the ASAP system. No changes are required in this modification record.  Providers may not submit the original record a second time as it will be rejected as a duplicate record if it was accepted into the ASAP system in the original submission. Submission of the modification record will allow the ASAP system to correctly recalculate the RUG value and have accurate data stored for reporting purposes.
  • If you have any questions concerning this information, please contact the QTSO Help Desk at help@qtso.com or 1 (888) 477-7876.

PBJ (From CMS)

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PBJ  (From CMS)

  • We acknowledge that the large number of provider submissions as we near the submission deadline has exceeded the amount of planned network capacity and has resulted in high network utilization which is subsequently causing slowed system response times as well as an inability to access the system for some users.  We encourage users to pull down their validation reports during off peak times to relieve system congestion and allow more bandwidth for data submissions and less user frustration.
  • CMS will accept data submission past the deadline and will not impose penalties for providers that have not met the deadline at this time.  However, we expect providers to still make a good faith effort to submit data as soon as possible for Fiscal Year 2016 Q4 (July 1 – September 30, 2016).
  • We understand several providers are confused about what number to use when PBJ asks for the Facility ID (FAC_ID).  The list of FAC_IDs can be found by logging on to CMSNet, clicking “QIES Systems for Providers” and then under “PBJ Submissions” click “Look Up Facility ID”.
  • For questions related to entering the hire and rehire dates for employees, please see Section 8.4 (“Manual Data Entry and XML Submission Rehire Process”) of the PBJ User Manual, which can be found here, https://www.qtso.com/pbjtrain.html.
  • We are aware that some facilities may be confused on the use of the “save” button in the PBJ system.  The save button is the same as submitting your data.  Additionally, you can save and submit as often as you’d like throughout the quarter, such as every two weeks, and you can always go back and edit your data for previous weeks.  Do not wait until the end of the quarter to save and submit. CMS will not collect any files until after November 14th.
  • CMS 671 Form and PBJ Submission Discrepancies We are aware that some providers are concerned that PBJ data will be compared to the information submitted on their CMS-671 form.  We acknowledge that there are differences between how staffing data is submitted in comparing the instructions and policies of PBJ and the CMS-671, and they cover very different time frames. Therefore, in general, we do not expect PBJ data to match the data from the CMS-671.

Nursing Home Quality Improvement Spotlight On…

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Pressure Ulcer Prevention

Improve patient outcomes and help prevent pressure ulcers by educating staff on the guidelines and management of this painful condition. Click on the following links for information about free events and resources.

CMS Collaborative: Early Recognition and Management of Sepsis in Nursing Homes

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CMS Collaborative:  Early Recognition and Management of Sepsis in Nursing Homes

  • December 7, 2016:  Noon-4 p.m. CT

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to participate in a collaborative focusing on early sepsis identification and treatment in nursing homes.

The speaker for this event will be Steven Q. Simpson, MD, professor of Medicine and director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Dr. Simpson has initiated a sepsis program in Kansas nursing homes that will be a basis of his presentation. A Kansas nursing home participating in the collaborative will also provide lessons learned from implementation of early sepsis recognition.

Those interested in attending may attend via WebEx or in person at either the CMS regional offices in Kansas City or Chicago. A collaborative discussion will follow at the regional offices to consider barriers and opportunities moving forward. To register, all attendees must download this form (Word) and complete the appropriate section(s) on page two. Note: Only those persons who plan to attend via WebEx need to complete the second section on page two.

Nursing Home Quality Improvement Spotlight On…

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Get Smart About Antibiotics Week November 14-20

Help spread the word about antibiotic stewardship by participating in Get Smart About Antibiotics Week. Click on the following links for tips to assist your facility in promoting awareness as well as educating staff and residents about antibiotic resistance and the importance of an appropriate antibiotic regimen in all health care settings.

Alzheimer’s Poetry Project’s Gary Glazner

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Alzheimer’s Poetry Project’s Gary Glazner is Coming to Missouri – Registration Open

Gary Glazner is the founder and Project Director of the Alzheimer’s Poetry Project (APP). The APP was awarded the 2012 MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in America Leadership Award in the category of Community Engagement. The National Endowment for the Arts listed the APP as a “best practice” for their Arts and Aging initiative. Glazner is an internationally recognized speaker and expert on using poetry with people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and has given talks at over 30 conferences, including the most recent MC5 Annual Conference.

  • February 21, 2017 – Kansas City
  • February 22, 2017 – Springfield
  • February 23, 2017 – Cape Girardeau
  • February 24, 2017 – St. Louis

This event is being funded by MC5, the Missouri Arts Council, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please visit the MC5 website for registration links.  REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

Conversations with Carmen

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Conversations with Carmen

  • November 18, 2016:  Vibrant Living for Men, Compliance for Communities
  • Guest:  Glenn Blacklock, LNHA, Action Pact Consultant

Known nationally for his work bringing normal life pursuits to nursing home residents, Glenn will guide us in exploring options to help men live more vibrant and satisfying lives. As we know, men tend to get “lost in the shuffle” in the myriad of activity offerings that often seem to be geared toward women. We will discuss how meaningful engagement can’t just be left to activity/recreational professionals anymore. When all individuals in a community share their passions and interests, relationships flourish and spontaneity happens. As we all rethink what we can make happen for men, they often find new purpose and meaning in their lives, and their once-vibrant spirits will rise again. And although we are focusing well-deserved attention on men’s needs here, the principles discussed apply to everyone.

*The discussion will include the new CMS regulation for Activities which goes into effect November 28, 2016.

Please see the Conversations with Carmen event page here for more details including registration.

ALERT: ICAPP Voluntarily Recalls Certain Lots of Frozen Strawberries

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ICAPP Voluntarily Recalls Certain Lots of Frozen Strawberries

  • Some facilities in Missouri were identified on ICAPP’s Distribution List.  Please check your inventory if you received shipments from ICAPP.

The International Company for Agricultural Production & Processing (ICAPP) is voluntarily recalling certain lots of its frozen strawberries out of an abundance of caution in response to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation of an outbreak of Hepatitis A. For more information about this investigation, please visit FDA’s outbreak investigation website at www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm518775.htm. The recalled products were all distributed for sale to and use in food service establishments nationwide — not for use in food products offered for retail sale to consumers. Nonetheless, ICAPP is issuing this news release publicly to help mitigate any possible risk to the public health and to fully ensure that all recalled products are recovered. Although none of ICAPP’s own testing through an established surveillance program or through third party testing of retained samples has identified the presence of Hepatitis A in any of its products, ICAPP has decided to recall all frozen strawberries that it has imported into the United States since January 1, 2016 out of an abundance of caution. No other ICAPP products, frozen or fresh, are covered by this voluntary recall. ICAPP is conducting this voluntary recall after learning that frozen strawberries that it distributed may be linked to a recent Hepatitis A outbreak in the United States. ICAPP has been engaged with FDA in its investigation of this outbreak and is taking this action in consultation with FDA because Hepatitis A virus was detected in four lots of frozen strawberries that were exported to the U.S. by ICAPP. ICAPP is working closely with all of the U.S. distributors of this product to ensure that this recall is effective. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from exposure to the Hepatitis A virus, including from food. It can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months. Illness generally occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool. Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food. In rare cases, particularly consumers who have a pre-existing severe illness or are immune compromised, Hepatitis A infection can progress to liver failure. Persons who may have consumed affected product should consult with their health care professional or local health department to determine if a vaccination is appropriate, and consumers with symptoms of Hepatitis A should contact their health care professionals or the local health department immediately. ICAPP is fully committed to producing safe and high quality products; consumer safety is its top priority. ICAPP is conducting a comprehensive review of all of its operations and its suppliers to ensure that the food it produces is safe. ICAPP continues to work closely with federal and state authorities and is conducting this recall in cooperation with FDA. For questions or more information, consumers may contact ICAPP by email at customerservice@icapp.com.eg or by phone, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Cairo local time, at (201)-541-1624.

MU Leadership Development Academy for Long-Term Care

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MU Leadership Development Academy for Long-Term Care

  • April 2016 – October 2016:  Kansas City and Springfield

Enrollment is now open for the next professional development certificate program offered by the University of Missouri.  Long-term care can be challenging, but the academy will help you better manage daily crises and get the most out of your employees.  The academy has been proven to increase leadership skills and improve confidence, which will help to create a working environment that encourages teamwork and quality improvement.

Please see the brochure and registration details on the MU Leadership Development Academy’s web page here.

MU Gerontology Update

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MU Gerontology Update

  • December 1-2, 2016:  27th Annual Gerontology Clinical Update
  • Location:  Peachtree Banquet Center, Columbia

This gerontology conference is two days of evidence-based and application-oriented educational programming based on a combination of suggestions from past participants, current literature and hot topics suggested by the conference planning committee.  Experienced gerontology nurses from hospitals, LTC settings, rehabilitation, home and community health, as well as gerontology nursing faculty, a licensed nursing home administrator, social worker and a LTC facility surveyor, have determined the topics for this year’s event.  Every effort has been made to translate the latest evidence into practical and useful knowledge for the gerontology practitioner.

Please visit the MU Gerontology Clinical Update conference page here for more information including the brochure and registration information.

MLN Emergencies, Disasters, and Lessons Learned: Are You Really Ready?

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MLN Emergencies, Disasters, and Lessons Learned: Are You Really Ready?

  • November 16, 2016:  Macon
  • November 17, 2016:  Jefferson City

This presentation will discuss emergencies, disasters, risk assessment, and lessons learned from case studies. The presentation will provide participants with specific suggestions to help be better prepared in the event a disaster does occur.

Please see the Workshop brochure and more information including registration here.

CMS New Regulations Program

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CMS New Regulations Program

  • November 16, 2016:  Independence
  • November 17, 2016:  Columbia
  • November 18, 2016:  St. Louis

At the conclusion of this seminar, each attendee will be able to identify: 1. Analysis of the top 25 issues referenced by CMS in the past 18 month of changes. 2. Discuss what the causative factors are prompting CMS to make each of these changes. 3. Develop specific strategies at the facility level to begin successful implementation of these changes.

Please see the Workshop brochure and more information including registration here.

Nursing Home Quality Improvement Spotlight On…

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World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day, November 17

Each year, pressure ulcers affect more than 2.5 million Americans and cost billions of dollars to treat. You can raise awareness of these dangerous conditions by participating in World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day on Nov. 17. Click on the following links for promotional tools to educate the health care community and the public about pressure-induced injuries and how to prevent them.

CMS S&C Memo 17-05-ALL: Information on the Implementation Plans for the Emergency Preparedness Regulation

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CMS S&C Memo 17-05-ALL:  Information on the Implementation Plans for the Emergency Preparedness Regulation

  • Information for Implementation: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Survey and Certification Group is providing general information regarding the implementation plans for the new Emergency Preparedness Rule.  The information addresses the implementation date for providers and suppliers, the development of Interpretive Guidelines (IGs), surveyor training and resources available to assist in the implementation of this regulation.
  • Affects all 17 providers and suppliers: The regulation affects all 17 providers and suppliers and must be fully implemented by November 15, 2017.

The CMS memo is here or you may visit www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-and-Memos-to-States-and-Regions-Items/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-17-05.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLSort=2&DLSortDir=descending.

Reminder to Use Forms for Administrator and Director of Nursing Change

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Use Forms for Administrator and Director of Nursing Change

  • Please remember the SLCR has developed forms for your convenience to use to notify the Licensure and Certification Unit if a change in Administrator or Director of Nursing has occurred in your facility.
  • The forms are located on LTC Application and Forms web page. The instructions for submission are included on the bottom of each form.

CMS S&C Memo 17-03-NH: Save the Date: Training for Phase 1 Implementation of New Nursing Home Regulations

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CMS S&C Memo 17-03-NH:  Save the Date: Training for Phase 1 Implementation of New Nursing Home Regulations

  • Need for Training: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is developing an online training for Regional Offices (RO), State Survey Agencies (SA), providers and other stakeholders on the new Nursing Home Regulations.
  • Training Content and Availability: The online training will include information about Phase 1 of new Nursing Home Regulations, and will be available to all parties starting November 18, 2016.
  • Mandatory Requirement: All Long Term Care (LTC) surveyors are required to complete this training in order to be able to conduct any LTC surveys after November 28, 2016.

The CMS memo is attached or you may visit www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Policy-and-Memos-to-States-and-Regions-Items/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-17-03.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLFilter=nh&DLSort=2&DLSortDir=descending.

2017 MANHA Winterfest

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2017 MANHA Winterfest

  • February 8-10, 2017:  Connectivity: The Key to Career Success
  • Location:  Ameristar Hotel and Spa, St. Charles

Missouri Association of Nursing Home Administrators is pleased to invite you to attend our midyear conference, Winterfest. The goal of this conference is to provide long-term care administrators and their staff practical and inspirational education hours along with the opportunity to network and socialize with colleagues. It is also the only MANHA-sponsored conference that provides you a chance to view the latest technology, products, and services offered by suppliers.

Please see the brochure attached for more information.