I haven't found much in the news about how Hurricane Katrina is affecting Nursing Homes. I did find this very troubling snippet: While concerned about his brother's well-being, Booth also was saying a prayer for the residents of a nursing home in New Orleans where two of his friends work as nurses. The administrator of the nursing home had rented city buses to help transport residents from the facility. However, when Ray Nagin, mayor of New Orleans, commandeered the city's bus fleet for a … [Read more...] about Hurricane Katrina
Random Bits Learned From The IDR Process
First, if you are doing your own IDR rebuttal, make sure that every page from a resident's chart (even if it is a back page) has the resident's name and a date on it. Second, make sure the names and dates are legible.Many times, a facility's defense to treatment issues is the fact that the resident or responsible family members refused treatment or diagnostic tests. This defense will not fly unless you are able to demonstrate informed consent on the part of the resident or responsible family … [Read more...] about Random Bits Learned From The IDR Process
Unintended Consequences
Back last November, I wrote about rumblings in Florida to require criminal background checks on prospective resident. In Illinois, they've apparently passed such a law and are now about to suffer the consequences:Emergency rules implementing the recently signed legislation require all 100,000 current nursing home residents to undergo a criminal background check and be checked against sex offender databases maintained by the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Corrections. The … [Read more...] about Unintended Consequences
CMS Instructs State Survey Agencies On Compliance Dates
A State or two in Region VI appear to be confused about what compliance date to assign when a facility clears on a revisit. Thus, CMS recently sent a Regional Survey And Certification Letter to all State Survey Agencies to clarify the issue. Click here to see the letter. It is suspected that the letter was prompted by a conversation between CMS and the unamed State Survey agencies that went something like this: "If you find deficiencies on an initial or annual visit, you are to send the … [Read more...] about CMS Instructs State Survey Agencies On Compliance Dates
Updates on Letters to Providers
Ipecac Requirements (Assisted Living and Adult Day Care Facilities)In a Provider letter Texas DADS tackles the issue of facilities stocking Ipecac for use as treatment for poisoning by inducing vomiting. Apparently, some in the Medical Field question its use and whether on not it should be removed from first aid kits. The letter notes that the use of Ipecac is currently being investigated by the FDA--though it is still available.The provider letter notes that the Texas Poison Center, however, … [Read more...] about Updates on Letters to Providers
Putting a Bull’s Eye On Your Back & Liability Insurance
Bulls EyeSid Rich with the Texas Association of Residential Care Communities is reporting in his newsletter that HB 850 has been introduced. The bill would mandate that nusing homes post signs indicating whether or not the facility carries liability insurance. The bill is pending in Committee.Sid Rich is concerned because he was the only long-term care lobbyist who showed up to oppose the bill. This is ridiculous. I agree with Sid when he argues that this is putting a "bulls-eye" on your … [Read more...] about Putting a Bull’s Eye On Your Back & Liability Insurance
Change In New Mexico IDR Practice
Until recently, the New Mexico Survey Agency allowed providers to file only the Informal Dispute Resolution request- without your rebuttal information- by the tenth day after receipt of the 2567. The agency then permitted additional time for filing the rebuttal information as long as it was received two weeks prior to a meeting of the Informal Review Committee meeting.The above described practice, though contrary to the written policy, was allowed until now. Contacts at the DOH have now … [Read more...] about Change In New Mexico IDR Practice
Joint Investigations of Abuse & Neglect in Nursing Homes
On March 22, 2005, DADS issued Provider Letter #05-13--Joint Investigation of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Allegations. This letter notifes nursing homes that DADS will notify local law enforcement of abuse and neglect allegations of the nature that statutorily requires DADS to investigate within 24 hours:A resident('s):health or safety is in imminent danger, orhas recently died because of alleged abuse or neglect or other complaint. orhas been hospitalized or treated in E.R. because of … [Read more...] about Joint Investigations of Abuse & Neglect in Nursing Homes
A Little CMS Bird Chirps In My Ear About Inservices
I have received some insights from a source from CMS in Dallas about how your inservices could be improved that may help you when you are dealing with survey issues.The holding of an inservice in and of itself is not compelling evidence that you are fixing problems before (as part of Quality Assurance) or after (as part of a Plan of Correction). The folks at CMS want to know that an inservice has effectively taught staff how to carry out particular functions.The folks at CMS are concerned that … [Read more...] about A Little CMS Bird Chirps In My Ear About Inservices
A “Little Side Step” Means You Get Stomped On! The Bed Tax and New Mexico.
Ooo I love to dance a little sidestep,Now they see me, now they don't,I've come and gone,AND Oooo I love to sweep around the wide step,Cut a little swathe and lead the people on."- "The Sidestep," sung by the Governor in The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasRemember that little song and dance routine in the movie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas? The Governor is exulting over his ability to pull the wool over people's eyes.When will we ever learn about the promises of politicians when it comes … [Read more...] about A “Little Side Step” Means You Get Stomped On! The Bed Tax and New Mexico.
