Category: Nursing Home Administrators

MDS INFO

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Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Submission Deadline Reminder

Nursing homes are required to electronically submit direct care staffing information to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system. Submissions must be received by the end of the 45th calendar day (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time) after the last day in each fiscal quarter to be considered timely. PBJ data for 7/1/24 through 9/30/24 is due November 14, 2024. Please submit PBJ data as soon as possible to avoid delays.

 

SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Submission Deadline Reminder

SNFs are required to report data to meet the SNF QRP requirements. The submission deadline for the SNF QRP is approaching. The following data must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 18, 2024:

  • MDS data for 4/1/24 through 6/30/24;

  • NHSN data for COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Personnel for 4/1/24 through 6/30/24;

 

Swingtech sends informational messages to SNFs that are not meeting APU thresholds on a quarterly basis ahead of each submission deadlines. If you need to add or change the email addresses to which these messages are sent, please email QRPHelp@swingtech.com and be sure to include your facility name and CMS Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested email updates.

Dementia Care & Antipsychotic Medication Resources

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Dementia care and antipsychotic medication resources, tools, and data reports are now housed on the CMS Quality Improvement Organizations website. Helpful information is also available on the CMS National Partnership website. Below are direct links to this information.

CMS National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes Website: https://www.cms.gov/medicare/health-safety-standards/quality-safety-oversight-general-information/national-partnership-improve-dementia-care-nursing-homes

CMS Quality Improvement Organizations Website: https://qioprogram.org/landing-page – Search with the keywords ‘dementia’ and ‘antipsychotic’

Antipsychotic Medication Use Data Report: https://qioprogram.org/tools-resources/antipsychotic-medication-use-data-report

Antipsychotic Use by State: https://qioprogram.org/tools-resources/antipsychotic-use-state

If you have additional questions, please let us know. Specific questions related to the data reports can be directed to CMSQINQIOProgram@cms.hhs.gov.

Residents Have the Right to Vote

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Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th.

Individuals receiving long-term services and supports retain their voting rights, no matter where they live or what type of care they receive. Federal regulations guarantee residents’ rights, including their rights as citizens, which includes the right to vote. As local elections approach, now is the time for residents of long-term care to make a plan for voting.

Visit our website for information on preparing to vote, finding voting rules in your area, learning what is on your ballot, and suggestions for ways facilities can support residents’ right to vote.

Staying Engaged: Using the Power of My Voice

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The 2025 edition of the Staying Engaged enrichment booklet has a variety of activities aiming to keep long-term care consumers mentally engaged, prompt self-reflection, and remind consumers of the importance of advocating for your rights, especially your right to make choices about how to live your life.

Included in the activities are a maze, a word search, a crossword, word unscramble puzzles, sudoku, self-reflection prompts, an ice breaker scavenger hunt, and an art page.

Download for free or pre-order a hard copy – the booklets will be available to ship in a couple weeks.

Reporting Annual Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data through NHSN (Long-Term Care Facilities)

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Initial Webinar

November 19, 2024: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for the initial webinar on November 19: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_3AMj__gqSkarSwKquC-T3A

 

Replay Session

December 3, 2024: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for the webinar replay on December 3: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_84q-qGZ3RHWOxlL7jhnPhQ

 

The content of both webinars is the same. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the webinar.

Update for LTCF Respiratory Pathogens, Vaccination, and Point of Care Modules

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Below is important information regarding current technical issues in the application for the RPV and POC modules in the Long-term Care Facility Component. We thank you for your patience as we are working hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.

Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination (RPV) Module

Healthcare Personnel (HCP) menu tab

The COVID-19 Vaccination – HCP tab is not currently visible from the menu when you hover over Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination on the home page. This form was not removed, and there are no changes in reporting requirements. You can still access this form by clicking RPV Summary and selecting the reporting week from the calendar view. We will inform users when the COVID-19 Vaccination – HCP tab has been restored.

Analysis and Reporting – HCP

To view HCP COVID-19 Vaccination data, please utilize the report titled “Line Listing – All COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary Data – HCP” under Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination > Archived > COVID-19 Vaccination. Currently, the version of this report in the RPV Summary folder is not working appropriately, however the line list mentioned above in the Archived folder will populate the HCP data appropriately. We will inform users when the COVID-19 Vaccination – HCP line list within the RPV Summary folder is functioning as intended.

Archived: COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Pathways Module

There is a technical issue with the COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Pathways Module preventing users from adding and/or editing data for dates prior to 9/30/24. The issue is occurring for both facility and group users. We will inform users when this function has been restored.

Point of Care Module

There is a technical issue in the Point of Care (POC) test result reporting tool requiring an answer to be selected for gender identity, even though this question is not indicated as a required field for manual test result data entry. This issue does not affect .csv uploads.

Questions

Please use NHSN-ServiceNow to submit questions to the NHSN Help Desk. The portal can be accessed here or through your CDC Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) account. After logging into SAMS, the NHSN-ServiceNow is located at the bottom at the bottom of the page.

Life Safety Code Regulation Info

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Sometimes it can be difficult to find a Life Safety Code regulation. Are you aware most of code references used by surveyors are printed on the bottom of the tags in the 2786R? This document also serves as a quick reference to all of the Life Safety Code tags.

Emergency preparedness requirements are found in Appendix Z. SNFs are required to review and update their emergency preparedness policies and procedures at least annually. It is always a good idea to look at Appendix Z during this time not only to ensure compliance, but you may also get some other ideas from the text which includes multiple examples.

COMRU PASRR and Level of Care Orientation Training

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The Central Office Medical Review Unit (COMRU) has scheduled monthly orientation training to review the requirements of the Pre-Admission and Resident Review (PASRR) and Nursing Facility Level of Care (LOC) application process. These on-line trainings will be one-hour in length and hosted by Ammanda Ott, RN Supervisor for COMRU. Each training is limited to 50 individuals, so register soon!

Webinar series registration link: https://stateofmo.webex.com/webappng/sites/stateofmo/webinar/webinarSeries/register/cc01ce6f1d64435db3a716b6c489bf51

Upcoming Training Dates/Times

November 5, 2024: 11:00 am
December 10, 2024: 11:00 am
January 14, 2025: 11:00 am
February 11, 2025: 11:00 am
March 11, 2025: 11:00 am

 

Why We Are Conducting These Trainings?
• The LOC/PASRR process is complex and can be overwhelming if individuals do not receive sufficient training. We want to make it easier for you!
• Approximately 50% of applications are returned for corrections. This results in delays to the review and approval process – which directly impacts Medicaid payment to nursing facilities and can result in prolonged hospital stays.
• COMRU receives an average of 30-40 calls per day – many of the answers to the questions asked are contained in information accessible online. A decrease in phone calls will allow additional time for COMRU to review pending applications.

Training Agenda
• Overview of the PASRR and LOC requirements.
• Review of the application process from application submission to approval, including recent enhancements made to the online application system.
• Review of common errors that result in the application being returned for correction.
• Discussion of critical information needed to determine whether the application triggers for a Level 2 evaluation and the impact to the nursing facility and hospital.

Who Should Attend
• Individuals who are new to completing the LOC/PASRR application.
• Individuals who want a refresher of the requirements.

Benefits of Attending
• Familiarity with the process and information included online to assist with completing the application.
• Decrease in returned applications and reduction of processing times.

Prior to attending, please review both on-line trainings (New LOC Webex Training Oct 2021 and Level One Online Form Training Feb 2024) located on COMRU’s webpage https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/pasrr.php.

Please see the flyer

Free Fall Vaccine Season Clinics

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HQIN is offering your facility a unique opportunity to receive support from local community pharmacies for the current fall COVID-19 vaccine season.

HQIN will connect you with a local pharmacy that will provide highly trained pharmacists, pharmacy technicians or community health workers (CHWs) to work directly with you to provide:

  • COVID-19 vaccination clinics for your residents and staff.
  • Accurate information about vaccinations.

Your Facility Will:

  • Be offered assistance to improve vaccination rates.
  • Be positioned to connect with and establish relationships with local pharmacy providers.
  • Benefit from added support, services and more!

Take advantage of this offer by clicking the link below to provide us with a few details. You will then receive an email from the team, who will facilitate connecting you with a local pharmacy.

HQIN Nursing Home COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Support Request Form

These Programs End October 31. Don’t Miss Out!

Vaccine Billing Challenges?

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Help is Available

With the latest FDA approval of the 2024-25 COVID vaccines, McKnights Long Term Care News published an article related to billing challenges. In it, Chad Worz, PharmD, BCGP, FASCP and Executive Director/CEO of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) explains billing and payment challenges in long-term care related to the COVID vaccine.

Fortunately, HQIN has partnered with ASCP to offer support with billing challenges related to the COVID vaccine. Through this partnership, ASCP contacts will provide technical assistance for vaccine billing questions and process options to ease your immunization systems and efforts. Email your questions to get started.

CMS Memo: QSO-24-21-NH: Compliance with Residents’ Rights Requirement related to Nursing Home Residents’ Right to Vote

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Memorandum Summary

  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is affirming the regulatory expectation that ensures nursing home residents have the unimpeded ability to exercise their right to vote as a citizen of the United States.
  • Nursing homes must ensure residents are able to exercise their Constitutional right to vote without interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal from the facility.
  • States, localities, and nursing home owners and administrators should collaborate to support a resident’s right to vote.

Please see the full memo for details located.

CNA Training Reimbursement Opportunity for SNFs

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Did you know… skilled nursing facilities can receive reimbursement for CNA training?

The Health Education Unit hosted a webinar along with Mo HealthNet to provide information regarding the amount of reimbursement, instructions related to the submission and important data to consider for reimbursement.

Didn’t get to attend? No problem, watch it now!

For questions, contact the Health Education Unit at 573-526-5686 or email at CNARegistry@health.mo.gov.

Infection Prevention and Control Office Hours

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Sessions Begin on September 18 at 12 p.m. ET

Register now to join free virtual Infection Prevention and Control Office Hours, which address topics concerning respiratory virus season.

The focus will be on COVID-19 and strategies to decrease transmission among nursing home residents and staff. This series is tailored specifically for long-term care facilities, providing valuable support in areas such as COVID-19 prevention, immunization strategies and strategies to stay healthy. These sessions will help you discover ways to enhance care for both residents and staff.

Please see this flyer for details and registration

Healthcare Quality and Worker Safety Information from CDC

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Exciting News! CORHA Launches Newly Redesigned Website – CORHA, The Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens (AR) (CORHA) has recently launched a newly redesigned website. The new site offers enhanced features and expanded information to improve user experience, accessibility, and functionality.

 

Long-Term Care Webinar: 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season Updates – Please join CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 1 p.m. EDT for an overview of the latest respiratory virus vaccination recommendations, testing and treatment guidance, and infection prevention strategies. Long-term care facility residents are often at high risk of respiratory infections and severe disease due to respiratory viruses. A combination of interventions can protect residents and staff health during respiratory virus season.

Register: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_H4-bbiGEQyOCaP7YUT8Jng

 

ICYMI: CDC and AMA Respiratory Virus Season latest information – During the event, speakers from CDC, including CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, provided important updates on protecting patients and others against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Updates included:

  • Emerging immunization issues, as well as recommendations and resources for providers.
  • Reminders about treatments available for patients at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Preview of new HHS vaccination education campaign – Risk Less. Do More.

Antimicrobial Stewardship for LTCF

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NEW FREE RESOURCE

The Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program has created a free antimicrobial stewardship playbook made for long-term care facilities (LTCF). This playbook includes background information on the state of antimicrobial stewardship in LTCF in Missouri and includes 17 ready-to-use tools and templates to help with antimicrobial stewardship efforts within your facility. Please share this playbook with anyone in your facility that is involved with antimicrobial stewardship activities and efforts.

A link to the playbook is provided here: https://health.mo.gov/professionals/antibiotic-stewardship/pdf/asp-playbook-ltc.pdf.

A link to the MODHSS LTC Antimicrobial Stewardship webpage is provided here: https://health.mo.gov/professionals/antibiotic-stewardship/tools-ltc.php.

Also of news, the HAI/AR program now has an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist on staff to help answer questions, provide educational content, and help collaborate with antimicrobial stewardship projects and initiatives within your facilities, along with all healthcare facility types in the state. This can also be a great opportunity to participate in a free, non-regulatory assessment of your stewardship program efforts to try and meet antimicrobial stewardship requirements.

If you are interested in hearing more about this, or have questions about healthcare-associated infections, Candida auris, or other multidrug-resistant organisms, please reach out to the DHSS HAI/AR program for more information.

HAI/AR Program Contact Information
Phone: 573-751-6113
Email: HAI_Reporting@health.mo.gov