The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has issued a provider letter (July 17) to Home and Community Support Services Agencies (HCSSA) and Adult Day Care Facilities (ADC) on using the 211 system. The 211 system is a telephone number that connects callers to local health and human services agencies. People looking for social service assistance for food, housing, education, legal help, child care, physical and mental health, financial support, transportation, or emergencies … [Read more...] about Provider Letter: 211 System
HIPAA and Emergency Preparedness
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protects individuals' Private Health Information (PHI) held by "covered entities," like health plans, health care providers, and health care clearinghouses, and regulates the use and disclosure of PHI. In order to help emergency preparedness and recovery planners stay in compliance with HIPPA while accessing and using protected health information for the disabled, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) … [Read more...] about HIPAA and Emergency Preparedness
Long Term Care Providers Prepare for Disasters
Because of nightmarish stories like this one, long term care providers are doing more to prepare for disasters, natural and man-made. An organization called Mather LifeWays Institute created a program called PREPARE to train long term care providers in preparing for disasters and public health emergencies. (Senior Journal) To learn more about PREPARE, see the press release. More than 60 percent of Hurricane Katrina victims were elderly, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. A … [Read more...] about Long Term Care Providers Prepare for Disasters
Senate Committee Asks CMS to Investigate QIOs
Concerned about executives' salaries and perks, the Senate Committee on Finance has asked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to investigate Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) for effectiveness and improprieties. (Medical News Today) The call for an investigation was likely prompted by the American Health Quality Association's request for more funding and broadened responsibilities. According to the Kaiser Network, CMS currently pays $300 million per year to … [Read more...] about Senate Committee Asks CMS to Investigate QIOs
Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
In a move designed to improve standards in long term care facilities, Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm signed a measure earlier this year that requires nursing homes and other assisted living facilities to conduct criminal background checks on prospective employees, the Michigan Long Term Care Partnership Workforce Background Check. (WILX News) At the web site, Michigan Long Term Care Partnership, you'll find the text of the bill, legal guides, and information on the background check … [Read more...] about Mandatory Background Checks for LTC Employees in Michigan
Quality First Pledge
In the long term care industry, there is what's known as the "Quality First Pledge," containing seven core principles: Continuous Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Public Disclosure and Accountability Patient/Resident and Family Rights Workforce Excellence Public Input and Community Involvement Ethical Practices Financial Stewardship (Source: American Health Care Association) Harborside Healthcare, a long term care provider, released a quality report titled, … [Read more...] about Quality First Pledge
‘Unusual Incidents’ of Hurricane Rita
Sounds like an ominous title for a documentary, doesn't it? In many ways, it could be. All providers must follow the prescribed reporting guidelines when reporting "unusual incidents" associated with Hurricane Rita to the Consumer Rights and Services Division by calling 1-800-458-9858 (see PDF copy of provider letter). The reasons go without saying, but just in case: Proper reporting will assist in studying the effects of the hurricane on long term care providers and patients. The … [Read more...] about ‘Unusual Incidents’ of Hurricane Rita
Long-term Care Providers Must Deal with Hurricane Wilma
Providers are bracing themselves for another hurricane and more tough decisions. Nursing homes are faced with whether to evacuate patients, some connected to feeding tubes and oxygen tanks, or ride out Hurricane Wilma in place. From the Washington Post: The decision to stay or flee in the event of a hurricane can be difficult even for the able-bodied. But as the evacuations for hurricanes Katrina and Rita showed this year, the decisions made at nursing homes more likely could be a matter … [Read more...] about Long-term Care Providers Must Deal with Hurricane Wilma
“Don’t Get Stuck On Stupid, Reporters”
General Honore takes no guff from the reporters in New Orleans(HT Radioblogger): Honore: And Mr. Mayor, let's go back, because I can see right now, we're setting this up as he said, he said, we said. All right? We are not going to go, by order of the mayor and the governor, and open the convention center for people to come in. There are buses there. Is that clear to you? Buses parked. There are 4,000 troops there. People come, they get on a bus, they get on a truck, they move on. Is that … [Read more...] about “Don’t Get Stuck On Stupid, Reporters”
Here We Go Again: Hurricane Rita
Hurricane Rita is on its way and it's time for Coastal areas to think about their evacuation plans. The word on the street is that FEMA is starting to grab buses to evacuate the Katrina evacuees out of Houston. I have heard that bus companies are requiring payment up front from nursing homes. Things to be concerned about: 1. Chartering buses that end up being commandeered by FEMA or local authorities. 2. Are your local governmental entities working with nursing homes for Plan B in … [Read more...] about Here We Go Again: Hurricane Rita