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Long-Term Care Survey Alert

CLINICAL CARE:
Combat Wound Infection With These 4 Key Strategies
Find out the first signs that the bugs may be getting the upper hand. Preventing, identif... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
GAO Advises CMS to Cast Better Net to Detect Worst Performers for the Special Focus Facility Program
The watchdog agency's recommendations could affect your facility. CMS' method for selecti... Read more
STAFF TRAINING:
Jazz Up In-Service Training: Address Differences in Learning and Personal Styles
A one-size fits all approach may not suit anyone. Is staff training an engaging event at ... Read more
Survey Trends:
GAO Report on Special Focus Facility Selection May Be Overlooking the Elephant in the Survey World
Experts cite persistent Achilles' heel to CMS' attempts to identify poor quality. The Gov... Read more
MDS CORNER:
Make ADL Training Real With These Hands-On Teaching Techniques
A little role-playing can create happier endings for MDS accuracy. Having trouble getting... Read more
INFECTION CONTROL:
2 Studies Shed Light on UTI Clinical Sx, Antibiotic Resistance
Check out these insights for diagnosing, treating this common infection. Deciding which c... Read more
RESEARCH NEWS
Watershed Study Findings Warn of Bacterial Biofilms in Showerheads. The place where peopl... Read more
QUALITY REPORTING:
State Attorneys General to CMS: Suspend and Revise 5-Star Program
Find out why 31 AGs are criticizing the initiative -- and what their opposition may ... Read more
INFECTION CONTROL:
Target These 4 Often Overlooked Infection Threats
Take steps to prevent bacterial contamination from common equipment and procedures. Are h... Read more
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:
Head Off These Medication Safety Problems Before They Cause Serious Harm
Take steps to prevent bacterial contamination from common equipment and procedures. Reduc... Read more
HIPAA:
Follow the Ins and Outs of Finalized Breach Notification Rules
If a breach involves 500+ people, here's what your facility will suffer. Picture this: A ... Read more
MDS CORNER:
CMS Official Clarifies Suspected DTI Coding on MDS 2.0
Confused about coding suspected deep-tissue injury on the MDS 2.0? CMS recently provided s... Read more
RISK MANAGEMENT TIP:
Maintain the Fall Scene to Get a Heads Up on What Happened
Find out how this facility gets to the bottom of unwitnessed falls. If a resident can't t... Read more
To Report or Not to Report:
If a Breach Fits One of These Exceptions,Your Facility May Be Home Free
Include this information as part of your risk analysis. Knowing what doesn't count as a b... Read more
MDS & CLINICAL NEWS
Don't code the H1N1 flu immunizations on the MDS. That's the official word from CMS. For ... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
Get up to Speed Fast With the New Infection Control Survey Guidance
Follow this quick roadmap to compliance. With the novel H1N1 virus looming as a major thr... Read more
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:
3 Ways to Safely Rein in Physical Restraint Use
Focusing on these specific clinical issues targets the cause of most restraints. Physical... Read more
TOOL:
Correlate Restraint Use to These QIs/QMs
This simple tracking tool helps you see the big picture. This material was prepared by th... Read more
CASE STUDY:
Team Up With the Hospital to Prevent Pressure Ulcers
Cooperation protects vulnerable elderly patients. The pressure's on for both hospitals an... Read more
RISK MANAGEMENT:
The Right Mock Survey Approach Helps Root Out Med Errors
Sometimes it's the little things that can really ding your survey record. One secret to d... Read more
PUBLIC HEALTH:
Brace Yourself: This Years Flu Vaccination Effort Won't Be Business As Usual
Find out how the novel H1N1 will shake things up. Your facility will have more shots at k... Read more
CLINICAL & SURVEY NEWS UPDATE
Washington recently provided a wake-up call on the status of the swine flu pandemic. The ... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
Knock Out Quality Woes With This Mock Survey Approach
The right self-inspection fights more than F tags. Catch problems before they topple your... Read more
LEGAL ISSUES:
Don't Be Blindsided by Drug Diversion
Is your nursing facility vulnerable to this all-too-common problem? Drug diversion can la... Read more
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE:
Stay on Top of CDC-Recommended Isolation Requirements for the Novel H1N1 Virus
Are you aware of this novel requirement? True or false? Wearing a surgical mask will suff... Read more
Risk Management:
Have Potential Flu Symptoms? Stay Home to Help Protect the Nursing Home, Says One Facility
This approach could help flu-proof your facility. When the third shift is short two CNAs,... Read more
QUALITY REPORTING:
Watch for New QMs on the Horizon for Your Facility's Five-Star Rating
Customer satisfaction, rehab, rehospitalization, and more are on the agenda. If your faci... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
Scrutinize Quality-of-Life Survey Guidance: F Tag Citations Are Lurking Here
Revised guidance injects new expectations into many aspects of facility life. Times have ... Read more
MDS CORNER:
Keep Your Post-Acute Delirium QM on Track as a QA Tool
Keeping an eye on this measure can help prevent rehospitalizations. The delirium post-acu... Read more
SURVEY & CLINICAL NEWS:
SURVEY & CLINICAL NEWS:
Get ready for new revised survey guidance -- this time for infection control. The Ce... Read more
INFECTION CONTROL :
Ramp Up Your Infection Detection Efforts for the Swine Flu Now
4 ways to give your surveillance efforts a booster. It's official: The World Health Organ... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT :
CMS to Surveyors: Home in on Whether Facilities Provide a Homelike Environment
If you're not at least climbing on the bandwagon, here's how to get a leg up -- fast... Read more
Public Health :
Why the CDC Is Keeping a Sharp Eye on the Swine Flu
Check out the good and bad news and a list of helpful resources. In some ways, the novel ... Read more
MEDICAL PRIVACY :
Get Hip to Tougher HIPAA Requirements and Enforcement
Hint: Encrypting PHI on laptops may prevent your nursing home from being on the nightly n... Read more
QUALITY OF LIFE :
Devise Activities That Tap the Desire to Care and Share
Research shows residents may enjoy being in the helping role. Just because a resident is ... Read more
RESIDENT RIGHTS :
Reality Check: Are Residents Deciding How to Spend Their Stimulus Checks?
Tread very carefully to sidestep this potential F-tag trap. The government's $250 stimulu... Read more
MDS CORNER:
READER QUESTION
Question: We've found residents taking herbal remedies that could interfere with their me... Read more
SURVEY & CLINICAL NEWS
• Beware a recent Digoxin recall. AS Medication Solutions, LLC, a drug repackage compan... Read more
CLINICAL CARE:
Keep Your Diabetes Care in the Best-Practice Zone
Get tips for managing insulin, lab testing, preventive care, and more. Diabetes mellitus ... Read more
WOUND CARE:
Coming to Wounds in Your Nursing Facility: Biofilms
Here's what you need to know to combat these 'armored' microorganisms. If your care team ... Read more
Tool:
Nail Down Criteria for Diagnosing Diabetes Mellitus
Check out this chart in the AMDA guideline.... Read more
TRENDS:
Gear Up Now for a Changing Post-Acute Landscape
These key developments could affect nursing home survival. Change is definitely afoot in ... Read more
Trends:
Keep Your Eye on These 2 CMS Efforts
CMS eyeing P4P, avoidable rehospitalization. A CMS demonstration and project in play coul... Read more
QUALITY OF CARE:
Dish Up Positive Outcomes With a Top-Notch Restorative Dining Program
Experts share inside tips for helping residents with eating. Looking for a way to improve... Read more
MDS CORNER:
Reader Question: Know Who Can Sign at R2 and What Signing Means
Question: What legally speaking is the nurse who signs at R2a (signature of person coordi... Read more
MDS & CLINICAL NEWS
Ready for a new set of RUGs? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published i... Read more
QUALITY OF CARE:
Step Up Care Plan QualityWith These 4 Key Strategies
Get a step ahead of the F309 survey guidance. You don't want a surveyor to be the one to ... Read more
MANAGEMENT:
Follow These Facilities' Leads to Boost Staff Retention
2 organizations drill down to what keeps their employees on the job. One-size-fits all ap... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
Dodge 3 Problems That Lead to F309 Citations for Hospice-Related Care
Here's what you never want to happen when caring for hospice patients. Hospice care is in... Read more
Tool:
Revised F309 Guidance Spells Out What SurveyorsWill Target for Residents on Hospice
Use this as a handy QA checklist. Talk about a roadmap to F tags: The revised survey guid... Read more
Quality Improvement Tips:
12 Real-World Ideas for Improving Staff and Resident/Family Satisfaction
Providers share inside strategies. Ask a group of nursing home providers who's doing what... Read more
COMPLIANCE:
Are Red Flags for Identity Theft on Your Risk Management Radar Screen?
Find out where these new requirements fit into the bigger picture. If your facility hasn'... Read more
MDS CORNER
Is your facility up to speed on the latest RAIUser's Manual update for coding UTIs? For p... Read more
QUALITY CARE:
Size Up Your Ability to Care for People of Size
Is your facility meeting obese residents' needs in these key areas? When caring for very ... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
6 Ways to Make the Revised F309 Survey Guidance More Painless
Cover these bases and you'll be in good shape for your next survey. If facilities were lo... Read more
MANAGEMENT:
Don't Leave Your Facility on Shaky Ground: Take Steps to Stabilize Staffing
Find out why and how to vanquish this serious problem. Whether you're on a journey to cul... Read more
Trends:
High Staff Turnover and Instability Leave a Trail of Casualties
On the list: the facility's quality and financial profile. When a facility constantly has... Read more
Clinical Tip:
Perform a Simple Assessment to Detect a Life-Threatening Sentinel Event
A common condition can be a clue to an impending medical catastrophe. If a resident has d... Read more
TOOL:
Step 1 in Improving Staffing: Examine Your Current Workforce
Establishing a baseline helps you measure success. Quality Partners of Rhode Island's sta... Read more
MDS CORNER:
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
To Code or Not to Code Recent or Planned Weight Loss in Section K Question: When evaluati... Read more
SURVEY & CLINICAL NEWS TO USE
Did you know? The MDS MDS 3.0 has a new implementation date. The revamped instrument is n... Read more
PAIN TREATMENT:
Sharpen Pain Management SafetyWith These 5 Tips
Make sure these meds lead to relief, not adverse drug events. What you don't know about p... Read more
MANAGEMENT:
Ditch the Turf Battles: Put Your Staff on Common Ground in Resident Care
6 ways to promote positive staff relationships. In the quest to achieve optimal outcomes,... Read more
LEGAL TRENDS:
Risk Manage Nursing Board Licensure Investigations and Actions
Prevent and handle this career-threatening event. Picture this: A nursing board investiga... Read more
TOOL:
Get to the Root Cause of ADL Decline With This Assessment Checklist
Evaluation of Resident ADL Decline or Failure to Improve ADL Function 1. Has the resident... Read more
SURVEY MANAGEMENT:
Be Strategic About Revealing Quality Assurance Efforts
Find out how to assuage surveyors' concerns, not create them. Surveyors are on the scene ... Read more
MDS CORNER:
Give Your MDS Software a Checkup for Coding Section M (Skin Condition)
CMS says to be aware of this potential glitch. If you ever blame your software for messin... Read more
SURVEY & CLINICAL NEWS TO USE
Get ready for the revised F309 survey guidance to go into effect on March 31. The guidanc... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Should you handle medical privacy for psychiatric care differently than LTC?
Question: Our facility is going to offer psychiatric services to certain residents with m... Read more
Quality Reporting:
CMS' Star-Rating System Creates a Maelstrom of Debate
Public reporting initiative spotlights challenges to rating true quality. Nursing facili... Read more
Systems Improvement:
Considering a New Program or Care Process? Proceed and Succeed Using These 4 Principles
Don't roll out something that paves the way for F tags. Out with the old and in with the ... Read more
CMS Identifies 3 Ways for Facilities to Boost Star Scores
The agency expects providers will improve over time. CMS' suggestions for how facilities ... Read more
5-Star Program Uses 10 Publicly Reported Quality Measures
Pay special attention to 2 of these measures. Long-stay residents: • Percent of residen... Read more
Risk Management:
Know the Dos and Don'ts for Dealing With Government Investigators
The outcome of a non-survey investigation can hinge on how well you manage it. These days... Read more
Be Prepared for This Investigator Ploy
Help staff even the playing field during interviews with investigators. Picture this: A n... Read more
Survey Trends:
New Hospice Survey Guidance Turns Eye to Nursing Homes
Find out what this focus means for your facility. If you don't feel like your facility is... Read more
MDS Corner:
 What Do You Think? How Long Should You Code Pneumonia in Section I2 of the MDS?
Question: If a resident comes to the facility with a hospital diagnosis of pneumonia, how... Read more
Clinical News to Use
Technology can help address specific fall risks for "frequent fallers" or residents at hi... Read more
Medication Management:
Sidestep Serious Adverse Drug Events With These Smart Moves
This package of evidence-based and practical strategies may be just the remedy you're loo... Read more
Survey Preparation:
Teach Staff to Deal With These 3 Types of Tricky Surveyor Tactics
The right staff preparation can keep damaging quotes off the CMS 2567. Imagine surveyors ... Read more
Food Safety:
Tackle These 2 Often Overlooked Causes of Serious Food-Borne Illness
One is a hot-potato issue -- literally. A food safety problem could be lurking in a ... Read more
Prevent a Potluck From Turning Unlucky
Simple steps can ease safety and survey risks  With all the talk of person-centered ... Read more
Risk Management:
Before You Click That Wound's Picture, Consider This
Experts discuss pros, cons, alternatives to this documentation method. A picture can be w... Read more
Survey & Clinical News to Use
A little education may help nursing homes do a better job accommodating residents' sexual... Read more
Tool:
Know What Surveyors Know:  Review This State Operations Manual Table Listing Anticholinergic Medications and Side Effects
MEDICATIONS WITH SIGNIFICANT ANTICHOLINERGIC PROPERTIES Table II lists common medication... Read more
Medication Management:
6 Ways to Keep Coumadin Therapy in the Safety Zone
This plan will help you get the best of this tricky medication. Coumadin can quickly turn... Read more
Survey Trends:
Know the Score: CMS Unveils Its Algorithm for Selecting Special Focus Facilities
Questions and inconsistencies remain -- here's what you need to know. Ending up on ... Read more
Dietary Management:
Get Dietary Involved When Patients Are Taking Coumadin
Eating more or less of certain foods can affect cogulation. Aagulant effect of Coumadin, ... Read more
Tool:
Deficiencies Add Up: Check Out How CMS Calculates the Survey Deficiency Score to Identify SFF Candidates
The shaded cells in Table 1 denote deficiency scope/severity levels that constitute subst... Read more
Quality Assurance:
These Dos and Don'ts Can Prevent Documentation From Becoming Your Facility's Undoing
The basis for F tags or worse are often found in the medical record. Documentation should... Read more
Quality of Care:
Tap This Great Risk Management Strategy: Get Hospice On the Case for End-of-Life Care
These quality indicators/measures provide a major clue. Identifying residents who may be ... Read more
MDS Corner:
Use the MDS to Identify Hospice Candidates
These qualify indicators/measures provide a major clue. Having a goal of offering hospice... Read more
Test Yourself (Answer):
What Does the Revised F325 Surveyor Guidance Say About Swallowing Disorders?
The answer to last month's question should be item 1 below: 1. Various direct and indirec... Read more
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