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Category Archives: SLCR Guidance

Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes – SLCR Reminder

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

Section 6121 of the Affordable Care Act requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure that nurse aides receive regular training on caring for residents with dementia and on preventing abuse.  CMS created Hand in Hand training in order to address the annual requirement for nurse aide training.  While homes are not required to use Hand in Hand for their dementia and abuse training, it is a wonderful, free resource that CMS has provided to every nursing home in the nation.  CMS sent the packet containing videos and training techniques to all homes in December of 2012. 

The Section for Long-Term Care Regulation realizes that the information appears voluminous, but encourages homes to take a closer look and try to implement at least some of the videos for your direct care staff.  The videos show staff how to relate to residents with dementia and how to appropriately respond to behaviors.  The training is also timely with the CMS initiative to reduce the use of antipsychotics in nursing homes.  The videos show staff how to get to know the person and understand why they are behaving a certain way, so that they can use alternative methods, rather than asking for an antipsychotic medication.  Everyone’s time is valuable; however, there is no sense in reinventing the wheel when CMS has done it for you.  We encourage you to take a look at the Hand in Hand information and try to implement some of the videos in your required training on dementia and abuse prevention.  To inquire about replacement copies of the Hand in Hand toolkit, please visit www.cms-handinhandtoolkit.info/Index.aspx.

Posted on Mar 18, 2013

CMS Promotes New Dining Practice Standards

CMS Memo S&C: 13-13-NH

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a survey and certification memo announcing the New Dining Practice Standards.  An accompanying training video is available for surveyors and the public.  The New Dining Practice Standards document is available for download by visiting Pioneer Network at www.pioneernetwork.net/Providers/DiningPracticeStandards/. 

Please view the Dining Standards Open Letter 03-15-2013 to our readers.

Posted on Mar 18, 2013

Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI)

Section 6102(c) of the Affordable Care Act requires that all nursing homes develop Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) programs.  These are different from Q.A. programs. 

QAPI emphasizes prevention of adverse events rather than reaction to adverse events.  It emphasizes promotion of safety and quality throughout the entire organization (not just nursing) and focuses on reducing risks to residents and caregivers both. 

Please visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) website for more information at cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/QAPI.html. 

Primaris is Missouri’s federally designated Quality Improvement Organization (QIO).  QAPI information is available online at www.primaris.org/qapi. 

More updates regarding QAPI will be announced over the next several months.

Posted on Feb 25, 2013

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/

Posted on Feb 15, 2013

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.

Posted on Feb 05, 2013