This is horrifying. "Half a dozen cancer patients in New York developed a rare infection after they received injectable opioids that a nurse had diluted with tap water, according to a new report. It appears that the nurse tampered with the syringes to remove some of the narcotics for her own use, replacing the drugs with water, the report said." … [Read more...] about Cancer Patients Get Blood Infection from Opioid Injection Diluted by Tap Water
Texas HHS Provider Letters for July 2019
HHS released three provider letters in July, 2019. The are as follows: On July 3, 2019 HHS released PL 19-16 regarding Responsibility for Records after a Management Change. The letter applies to Assisted Living Facility (ALF), Day Activity and Health Services (DAHS) Facility, Home and Community Support Services Agency, (HCSSA), Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions (ICF/IID), Nursing Facility (NF), and Prescribed Pediatric … [Read more...] about Texas HHS Provider Letters for July 2019
CMS Opioid Guidelines: A Catch 22?
Can you be fined and have action taken against your license for following CMS Opioid guidelines? According to Modern Medicine Network, you can: "In a recent case, the New Hampshire Board of Medicine investigated a physician who is board certified in pain management and anesthesiology after cutting back a chronic pain patient’s prescription opioid painkillers. The patient had been on a dosage of 80 mg of OxyContin twice daily and 30 mg of oxycodone four times a day for many years. … [Read more...] about CMS Opioid Guidelines: A Catch 22?
Updates for Patient-Driven Model for Skilled Nursing Providers and the Plight of Rural Nursing Homes
CMS has announced updates regarding the new Patient-Driven Payment Model for Skilled Nursing Providers. “Skilled nursing providers will split an $851 million pay increase in FY 2020, following a final rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued late Tuesday.” This may help rural facilities which are struggling according to a different story: “The sole nursing home in a rural pocket of New Mexico has closed weeks after state efforts to … [Read more...] about Updates for Patient-Driven Model for Skilled Nursing Providers and the Plight of Rural Nursing Homes
Hurricanes, Nursing Home Administrators & the Cajun Navy
Hurricane season is upon us with all the attendant risks to nursing homes and their residents. Nursing Home Administrators should watch this new documentary about the Cajun Navy for some important lessons about what not to do...including slavishly following the dictates of the corporate office. Your license could be at jeopardy and you could be discussed in the next documentary, like an administrator is in this one. Make sure that your emergency preparedness plan is up-to-date and your staff … [Read more...] about Hurricanes, Nursing Home Administrators & the Cajun Navy
Rural Health Care in the News
Two interesting articles have been recently published. One deals with the closing of the hospital in rural Milam County, Texas. This has caused residents to travel further for care and has disincentivized some to seek needed care. Days after the two hospitals in Milam County abruptly shuttered in December, Renee Mueck started feeling stomach pain so sharp she couldn’t drive herself to the nearest hospital about 40 minutes away. Mueck, 60, said her husband drove her to a hospital … [Read more...] about Rural Health Care in the News
Changes in RoP for Nursing Homes
November 2019 was supposed to see the implementation of Phase 3 of the changes to Nursing Home Rules of Participation. That has been rolled back to 2019. Moreover, CMS has proposed a new rule that will cause significant changes in some areas. In the proposed rule, posted to the Federal Register Tuesday evening, CMS recommends having surveyors look at QAPI plans at the end of an inspection. That could limit the possibility that areas identified for improvement would be used as … [Read more...] about Changes in RoP for Nursing Homes
Proposed Rule would Expand 35% Reduction Process
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in a proposed rule posted Tuesday, said it wants to create a “constructive” waiver process that streamlines how facilities qualify for a 35% reduction in survey-linked civil monetary penalties. Mcknight's … [Read more...] about Proposed Rule would Expand 35% Reduction Process
CMS Allows Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes, Delays Phase 3 ROP’s
The CMS has issued a final rule to allow pre-dispute arbitration agreements under the condition that the residents' receipt of care is not conditioned on signing them. Providers must inform residents or their representatives that they do not have to sign the agreement. The purpose of the rule is to: The CMS proposal supports patients and their caregivers by removing the ban on binding arbitration agreements while requiring nursing homes to ensure residents have the ability to choose … [Read more...] about CMS Allows Arbitration Agreements in Nursing Homes, Delays Phase 3 ROP’s
Rural Patients Turning to Telehealth
NPR just did a program about how rural patients are turning to telehealth because of a dearth of health care resources in rural areas. Showcased was one woman's use of telehealth for therapy services to assist her with depression. "Hill says knew she needed therapy to deal with her deepening depression. But the main health center in her rural town had just two therapists. Hill was told she'd only be able to see a therapist once a month." NPR also did a poll on the … [Read more...] about Rural Patients Turning to Telehealth
