Insulin Pen Safety – One Insulin Pen, One Person

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has been working to promote safe use of insulin pens, in light of growing awareness of the risk of reuse.  Insulin pens are meant for one patient only, but there have been recent occurrences of insulin pens being used for more than one patient.  The CDC’s injection safety campaign recently introduced a brochure and poster for clinicians and patients about the safe use of insulin pens.  The brochure and poster as well as other resources can be found on the Insulin Pen Safety web page.

                                      www.oneandonlycampaign.org/

New Era, New Hope for Alzheimer’s: Research & Care Perspectives

March 13, 2013:  Alzheimer’s Association Speaker’s Series

Join internationally renowned Alzheimer’s researcher, John C. Morris, M.D., as he shares the latest trends in Alzheimer’s research and what promise the future holds.  Location:  The Lodge Des Peres, 1050 Des Peres Rd., Des Peres, Missouri. For more information, please call 800-272-3900 or visit the Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis website at http://www.alz.org/stl/in_my_community_58781.asp.

MC5 Regional Meetings – March 2013

For more information, please visit the Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change (MC5) website.

March 8, 2013:  East

Culture Change for Surveyors
State Culture Change Coordinator Sam Plaster will share the Culture Change for Surveyors training course that is being provided to all of Missouri’s long-term care surveyors and inspectors.  Location:  Brentwood Community Center, Brentwood. 

March 13, 2013:  West Central

Moving In! Advancing Excellence Field Operations Manager Carol J. Scott will be discussing culture change and the admission process.  Location:  Methodist Church, Sedalia. 

March 14, 2013:  North Central

Creating a Culture of Person Centered Care:  Culture Change 101
Presented by Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator.  Location:   Livingston County Public Library, Chillicothe.

To better serve the north central region of the state, MC5 is considering establishing a new regional group.  In addition to the presentation topic above, the purpose of this meeting is to help determine if there is sufficient interest in the area.  If you would like a regional group to be established in the area, please plan on attending. 

March 15, 2013:  Poplar Bluff

Moving In!  Advancing Excellence Field Operations Manager Carol J. Scott will be discussing culture change and the admission process.  Location:  Department of Health and Senior Services, Poplar Bluff.

March 19, 2013:  East Central

There’s No Place Like Home: Environmental Changes that Facilitate Your Culture Change Journey

Presented by Alzheimer’s Association Professional Education Coordinator Zoe Dearing.  Location:  Gibbs Care Center, Steelville. 

March 20, 2013:  Northwest

QAPI at a Glance

Don Earnheart, MS, will discuss how QAPI differs from Quality Assessment and Assurance, what homes are required to do now, and various requirements they will need to build over the next 18 months.  Mr. Earnheart has over 30 years experience within the health care industry.  He currently serves as Program Manager for Patient Safety-Hospitals with Missouri’s Quality Improvement Organization, Primaris.  Location:  East Hills Library, St. Joseph.

March 27, 2013:  Northeast

We will be viewing a chapter of The Parkinson Journey: From Diagnosis to Treatment – Caring for Nursing Home Residents with PD.  A learning circle discussion will follow.  Location:  Mountain View Activity Room, Loch Haven, 701 Sunset Hills Dr., Macon.

For more information, please visit the Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change (MC5) website.

Important Change Regarding Federal Benefit Payments

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is requiring all federal benefits be paid electronically 

People who live in nursing homes – and the homes themselves – are required to comply with the Treasury Department’s new guidance.  If a nursing home serves as the representative payee for a beneficiary, the home will need to ensure federal benefit payments are converted to an electronic payment by March 1, 2013

The rule affects:

Current check recipients – People already receiving Social Security and other federal benefits by check are required to switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013.

People newly applying for benefits – Anyone applying for federal benefits will receive their payments electronically from day one. 

What your organization should do:

Help residents who still receive their federal benefit payment by paper check switch to an electronic payment method by the March 1, 2013 deadline.  Funds can be deposited either into the resident’s own account or into a Resident Trust Account.  The resident or the resident’s representative payee should call the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1-888-382-3725 to sign up, or complete a form available at www.godirect.org

Common situations nursing homes may encounter and how to help residents convert to direct deposit is included in the presentation Changes to Federal Benefit Payments: What SNFs Need to Know, developed in conjunction with the American Health Care Association.  An archived version of the webinar is also available at http://webinars.ahcancal.org/session.php?id=9422

Please view additional resources and helpful guidelines for administrators at http://godirect.org/partners/nursing-homes-and-treasury%E2%80%99s-electronic-payments-requirement/.

Using MDS 3.0 as an Engine for High Quality Individualized Care Webinar Series Five – Working Together for Better Outcomes

National Learning Collaborative Webinar Series on Using MDS 3.0 as an Engine for High Quality Individualized Care:  SERIES 5: Working Together for Better Outcomes – Relational Coordination for Quality Improvement 

In Webinar Series Five of our National Learning Collaborative, teams of practitioners share how they have achieved better outcomes through key systems for relational coordination – consistent assignment, huddles, CNAs involvement in care planning, and Quality Improvement huddles among staff closest to the residents.

March 12, 2013 – Part 11:  It Takes a Team to Prevent and Heal Pressure Ulcers
Presenters: Teams from Glenridge Living Community, Augusta, Maine, and Oakview Terrace, Freeman, SD.  Staff from two homes will explain how they prevent and heal pressure ulcers by working better together.

May 7, 2013 – Part 12:  It Takes a Team to Provide High Quality Individualized Care
Presenters: Barbara Frank, B& F Consulting; Amy Elliot, Pioneer Network; and teams from nursing homes participating in the National Learning Collaborative on Using MDS 3.0 as the Engine for High Quality Individualized Care.  Staff from several homes that have participated in the National Learning Collaborative will share how engaging staff in individualizing care has led to better quality of care and quality of life for their residents.

Please visit www.pioneernetwork.net/Events/Webinars/MDS30_1112

CMT and Gerontological Nursing Courses offered at St. Charles Community College

  • Certified Medication Technician (CMT), CMT 200-40B

Provides the 65 hours of classroom instruction required for certification as a Missouri CMT.  Additional 24 hours of clinical practice are required.  Students must have at least six months of CNA experience and be currently employed in a Skilled LTC facility to complete the clinical hours.  8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thursdays, February 21 – April 25. 

  • CMT Pre-Test, CMT 300-75

Basic math and English test required for admission into CMT course.  Test is given by appointment only and may be taken up to three times/semester.  9 a.m. – 5 p.m. by appointment, Wednesdays through February 13. 

  • Online Gerontological Nursing, NRS 105

This course is designed to enhance the nurse’s training in assessment, evaluation, and intervention of the long-term care resident, as well as teaching skills in critical thinking and supervision of other caregivers.  Upon successful completion of the course, students may apply to sit for the Missouri State certification through the Missouri League for Nursing.  Online, March 4 – April 12. 

For additional information, please visit the website at http://www.stchas.edu/departments/health-occupations/health-occupations-programs.html or visit http://www.stchas.edu/ to view all courses listed under “Health Occupations” on the A-Z index. 

St. Charles Community College

4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr., Cottleville, MO  63376

Telephone:  636-922-8295

MC5 Regional Meetings – February 2013

Southeast Region

February 1, 2013:  Location: Cape Girardeau Public Library, Geraldine Hirsch Room, 711 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Enhancing the Moving-In Experience; and New Goals & Tools Available on the Advancing Excellence Website

Presented by Carol Scott, Advancing Excellence Field Operations Officer.  There is no charge to attend, registration in advance is appreciated.  RSVP to Stephanie Boyer at cypress.sd@americareusa.net or call 573-624-8908.

Central Region – Location change to Columbia, Missouri

February 5, 2013:  The MC5 Central Group will be meeting in a new location:  N.H. Scheppers Distributing Company, 1306 Hathman Place, Columbia, Missouri.

Enhancing the Moving-In Experience; and New Goals & Tools Available on the Advancing Excellence Website

Presented by Carol Scott, Advancing Excellence Field Operations Officer.  There is no charge to attend, registration in advance is appreciated.  RSVP to Beth at bbusseau@cmaaa.net or call 573-443-5823.  Visit www.momc5.com/id20.html for more details. 

Please visit the Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change (MC5) website to view Future Meeting Dates

Essential Tools for the Director of Nursing in Long-Term Care

March 20 – 21, 2013The DON Institute

Do you need to be recharged?  This institute will give both new and seasoned DONs the confidence, knowledge, direction, and motivation needed to help better perform their role.  Topics include leadership, MDS, wounds, IDR, and much more.  Columbia, Missouri.  To learn more, visit www.mlnmonursing.org/DON%20Conference.

Facilitative Leadership –A webinar series

Developed by The Eden Alternative®, presented in association with Pioneer Network

February 19, 2013:  Facilitating Effective Communication & Conflict Resolution

March 19, 2013:  Facilitating Empowerment

April 10, 2013:  Facilitating an Appreciation of Diversity

May 14, 2013:  Facilitating Life Passions

CLICK HERE for more information, or visit Pioneer Network at www.pioneernetwork.net/.

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: PUP Tip #7

January, 2013: PUP Needs Water

It is not always obvious whether a resident is thirsty, but proper hydration is important when it comes to preventing and treating pressure ulcers.  Our body needs plenty of fluids for our blood to carry vital oxygen and other nutrients to the cells.

View all tips in this series:  www.primaris.org/pup_tips.  The Missouri Local Area Network for Excellence (MOLANE) is the state coalition for Advancing Excellence.

Join the Nursing Home Quality Collaborative

Nursing homes that have worked with Primaris know how quality improvement can lead to better health outcomes for residents and a better bottom line.  In the past, Primaris projects have been limited to a small number of providers.  In 2013, Primaris will launch the Nursing Home Quality Collaborative, and ALL Missouri nursing homes can participate.

The collaborative includes education, webinars and shared learning sessions about “hot topics” that concern Missouri nursing homes.  “Hot topics” sessions feature national and state speakers.  These speakers have done training with surveyors and will address regulatory success and how to improve resident care.  Sign up now at primaris.org.  Click “Join the Nursing Home Quality Collaborative” on the left-hand side of the homepage.

As Missouri’s Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, Primaris provides clinical improvement resources, expertise, and real-time, tailored assistance to meet a home’s needs and reinforce existing efforts.  Participating nursing homes are not charged for any materials, consultations or coaching.  If you have questions, please contact Pam Guyer at 573-356-7127, or send an email to pguyer@primaris.org.  You may also visit primaris.org to find out more, sign a participation agreement and register for the “Hot Topics in Nursing Homes” webinar series.  Only homes signing an agreement will be able to attend Primaris’ 2013 sessions.

MC5 Regional Meetings – January 2013

  • January 11, 2013:  East Region

8 a.m. Networking & light breakfast; 8:15 a.m. News and updates

8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Easing Transitions Between Long Term Care and Hospital & Psychiatric Unit Care

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Our Stories of Culture Change

NEW Location for 2013:  Brentwood Community Center, Rm. 103, 2505 S. Brentwood Blvd., Brentwood

Based on expected attendance, special seating arrangements may be necessary, so please RSVP to Ruthie at ruthie.rochman@alzstl.org or (314) 801-0446.

 

  • January 16, 2013:  Northwest Region

Jamie Dixon, Facility Surveyor Region 4, will discuss dining practices within regulation.  Kelly Vaughn, Dietary Manager from Oakridge and Jody Danley, Dietary Manager from Pleasantview will be sharing their dining practices, which include ala carte, open and menu dining.

Sign in 9:15 a.m.; Program 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Location:  East Hills Library, 502 North Woodbine Rd., St. Joseph

RSVP to wccc.karen@yahoo.com, 660-564-3304; or fmiller@nwmoaaa.org, 660-822-6209.

 

  • January 18, 2013:  Route 71

Carol Scott, Field Operations Manager, will be speaking on ways to improve the “moving-in” experience of residents (formerly known as “the admission process”) and the new goals and tools available on the Advancing Excellence website.

10 a.m. – Noon.  Location:  Nevada Community Center, 200 North Ash, Nevada

RSVP to Susan Houser at 417-667-5064 or sghouser@medicalodges.com

 

  • January 22, 2013:  West Region

MDS and QAPI:  A High Involvement Approach

9 a.m. – 11 a.m.  Location:  St. Mary’s Manor, 111 Mock Ave., Blue Springs

RSVP to Kathy Vogt or Leslie Carter at 816-228-5655

 

  • January 22, 2013: Southwest Region

Video: A Way Back Home – Three Components of Culture Change in LTC

10 a.m. – Noon.  Location:  Council of Churches, 627 North Glenstone, Springfield

RSVP to cindybutler@mchsi.com

 

  • January 23, 2013:  Northeast Region

Creating a Culture of Person Directed Care – Culture Change 101

Presented by State Culture Change Coordinator, Sam Plaster

10 a.m. – Noon.  Location:  Loch Haven, 701 Sunset Hills Dr., Macon

RSVP to Dawn St. Clair-Davis at 573-221-6000 or DDavis@bethaven.org

 

For more details, please visit the Missouri Coalition Celebrating Care Continuum Change (MC5) website.

MDS 2013 Workshops – Registration Now Open

  • February 19 – 20, 2013:  RAI Process from Start to Finish – Columbia, MO

This workshop will look at the RAI process from beginning to end.  The MDS is used for both a clinical assessment and a financial assessment and this workshop will discuss the rules on scheduling these assessments and meeting the requirements individually and combined.  Item-by-item coding will be reviewed.  From coding the MDS, we will then look at the CAA to care plan process.  An overview of the Medicare requirements that need to be followed for appropriate reimbursement will be discussed.  Finally, we will review how to stay up-to-date in this ever-changing world of MDS 3.0. 

  • April 23, 2013:  CMS Updates – Columbia, MO

This advanced RAI session will help participants identify tools that will facilitate improvements in patient/resident outcomes, both clinical and financial.  CMS hot topics and common survey issues will be reviewed as they pertain to the care of residents. 

To register and view the brochure, please visit:  www.mlnmonursing.org/MDS.

Hand in Hand: A Free Training Series for Nursing Homes

Person-Centered Care of Persons with Dementia and Prevention of Abuse

CMS MEMO SC12-44 Hand in Hand-A Training Series for Nursing Homes 09-14-12

Reminder from CMS – Toolkits provided at no charge

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been made aware that some nursing homes may be returning Hand in Hand because they believe they will be charged money to keep it.  These Toolkits will be distributed FREE to all nursing homes, CMS Regional Offices and State Survey Agencies by January 2013. 

Section 6121 of the Affordable Care Act requires CMS to ensure that nurse aides receive regular training on caring for residents with dementia and on preventing abuse.  CMS, supported by a team of instructional designers and subject matter experts, created Hand in Hand, the training you will be receiving soon, to address the annual requirement for nurse aide training on these important topics. 

Our mission is to provide nursing homes with one option for a high-quality program that emphasizes person-centered care for persons with dementia and also addresses prevention of abuse.  Person-centered care is about seeing the person first, not as a task to be accomplished or a condition to be managed.  It is the fulfillment of the Nursing Home Reform Law to consider each resident’s individual preferences, needs, strengths, and lifestyle in order to provide the optimum quality of care and quality of life for each person. 

The Hand in Hand training materials consist of an orientation guide and six one-hour video-based modules, each of which has a DVD and an accompanying instructor guide.  Though Hand in Hand is targeted to nurse aides, it has real value for all nursing home caregivers, administrative staff, and anyone who touches the lives of nursing home residents.  Thank you for your commitment to encouraging the use of available materials such as Hand in Hand for the required annual training for nurse aides.  We anticipate that these enhanced training programs will enable you to continuously improve dementia care and prevent abuse, as well as enhance resident and staff satisfaction in your community.

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: PUP Tip #5

November 2012 Tip: PUP Digs Consistent Assignment  Consistent assignment of caregivers in nursing homes can help prevent pressure ulcers.  Inspecting residents’ skin regularly – checking for any changes – is vital in making sure skin stays intact and pressure ulcers do not develop.  Caregivers who are more familiar with residents are more likely to notice even subtle changes in the skin.  Consistent assignment paves the way toward this familiarity.  Click on the flyer here: PUP Tip 5.

All tips are available on line: www.primaris.org/pup_tips.

The Missouri Local Area Network for Excellence (MOLANE) is the state coalition for Advancing Excellence.

MU Sinclair School of Nursing Receives $14.8 Million for Project to Reduce Re-hospitalizations of Nursing Home Residents

Reducing avoidable hospitalizations will improve patient care, lower health care costs

http://www.nursing.missouri.edu/news/2012/school-receives-multi-million-dollar-grant/index.php

MU News Bureau: http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2012/1105-mu-sinclair-school-of-nursing-receives-nearly-15-million-for-project-to-reduce-re-hospitalizations-of-nursing-home-residents/