OASIS Alert

CMS provides 3 "Train the Trainer" calls.

Transitioning to OASIS C is going to be costly, so take advantage of these free CMS teleconferences and NAHC's video resources.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has already provided two telephone training sessions and a third will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 8.

The first call ("OASIS C Background," recorded Oct. 22) provides an overview of the change process and important background information. The second call ("How OASIS C Gets Collected," recorded Nov. 12) has Linda Krulish of OASIS Answers reviewing the assessment tool section-by-section, including the new CMS guidance for the items.

The third call (the OASIS C National Provider Call) is scheduled for Dec. 8, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. ET. To register, go to www.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/120809 by Dec. 7.

Resources: Slides for these calls are at www.cms.hhs.gov/HomeHealthQualityInits/02_CMSSponsoredCalls.asp#TopOfPage, under "Downloads." MP3 files of the calls will be available about three weeks after the live call date at www.cms.hhs.gov/HomeHealthQualityInits, CMS says.

For in-depth information: To see a free four-part training video of the presentation "OASIS C: What You Must Know," go to www.dcprovidersonline.com/nahc/?event_id+NAHC102. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice is providing all agencies access to this four-hour pre-conference session from NAHC's October annual meeting in Los Angeles.

• CMS has awarded a special project contract to the quality improvement organization, Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, to work with home health agencies across the country in efforts to improve medication management and reduce hospitalizations. Information is at www.qipa.org/medicalprofessionals/care_transitions.

• CMS issued a correction for Table 10B (72 FR 49854) (which was in the final PPS rule for home health services for 2008). "The short description for ICD-9-CM code 250.8x & 707.10-707.9 should read "PRIMARY DIAGNOSIS = 250.8X AND FIRST OTHER DIAGNOSIS = 707.10-707.9," CMS says in the2010 final rule.

• Therapy referrals for weight training can improve breast-cancer-related lymphedema, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 331(7):710-1. University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine researchers observed 141 breast cancer survivors in a randomized, controlled trial of twice-weekly 90-minute progressive exercise classes for two weeks. The women continued unsupervised exercises twice a wek for 39 weeks. Those lifting weights experienced fewer exacerbations of arm lyphedema and a reduction in symptoms, compared to those who did not use weights.