KidneyNotes.com posts about the new CPR guidelines. As the post notes, the highlights are: *The ratio of compressions-to-ventilations has been changed to 30:2 *Rescuers now deliver 1 shock (360J monophasic) followed by CPR, not 3 shocks *Lay rescuers no longer check for circulation *Many other algorithms have been simplified These are published in the Nov 29, 2005 issue of Circulation. KidneyNotes has formatted some easy links to the above for you to read. Click here to see … [Read more...] about New CPR Guidelines From AHA
Legislating Ethics: So…Where’s Your Compliance Plan?
You may have heard of them at seminars, seen them referenced in handbooks and vaguely associated them with the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). But what are Compliance Plans and, more importantly, why don't you have one yet? Do You Want a Compliance Plan? You Bet…And You'd Better! The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services dictates that almost all providers have Compliance Plans. Specifically, the … [Read more...] about Legislating Ethics: So…Where’s Your Compliance Plan?
Clostridium difficile –Some Important Information from MedSleuth
MedSleuth makes some important points about C-Diff and you should all take note of this: Two facts about Clostridium difficile are of increasing concern. First, it is becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment, and second, it is being discovered in otherwise healthy individuals who have neither been hospitalized nor been on antibiotics . MedSleuth goes on to quote some other important facts: In another article in the New England Journal of Medicine, health officials said … [Read more...] about Clostridium difficile –Some Important Information from MedSleuth
The Folded Napkin . A Truckers Story
This story was sent to PPAT by one of the members. Carole at PPAT gave me permission to post it here. I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I … [Read more...] about The Folded Napkin . A Truckers Story
Drunken Moose Invades Nursing Home
If you have fruit trees on your premises, don't let the fruit fall to the ground and ferment lest this happen: They rarely have problems with drunks or rowdy animals, but residents of an elderly home in southern Sweden had to deal with both when a pair of intoxicated moose invaded the premises. The moose _ a cow and her calf _ had become drunk over the weekend by eating fermented apples they found outside the home in Sibbhult, southern Sweden, said Anna Karlsson, who works there. … [Read more...] about Drunken Moose Invades Nursing Home
New Provider Letter for Adult Day Care Providers
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability (DADS) has issued a provider letter (PDF copy) on license capacity in adult day care facilities licensed and regulated by DADS and participating in the Day Activities and Heath Services (DAHS). The letter includes information on licensing criteria, an overview of the DAHS program, and general requirements for participation in the programs. … [Read more...] about New Provider Letter for Adult Day Care Providers
“Who’s on First?” regarding Employee Misconduct Registry Appeals at APS
The State reorganization was bound to cause some confusion as agencies reformat and try to fill in the gaps forgotten by the Legislature. We've had occasion to look into the issue of what is going to happen to the appeals that concern placement of an employee on the Employment Misconduct Registery. It appears that these appeals are in limbo right now.Our sources at some of the agencies tell us that Department of Family Protective Services does not want to hear these appeals itself. It wants … [Read more...] about “Who’s on First?” regarding Employee Misconduct Registry Appeals at APS
Will Work For Laws
Sometimes when doing presentations for health providers, I joke about over-regulation of health care by asking that before participants decide to suggest new laws-- they close their eyes and imagine hordes of lawyers running through the Halls of Congress holding cardboard signs that say: Will Work For Laws. I may be joking but the reality of over-regulation is directly addressed by physician blogger Dr. Bob at The Doctor Is In who says:When last I checked several years ago, Medicare had about … [Read more...] about Will Work For Laws
The Flu And You!
The flu season is upon us and many of you in long-term-care have been concerned about obtaining flu shots for your vulnerable populations. The Texas Department of State Health Services issued a news release on November 9, 2004 indicating:The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced that the distribution of some 7.2 million doses of the nation's remaining supply of flu vaccine will be determined by the states' health departments. --snip--Texas Department of State … [Read more...] about The Flu And You!
JUDICIAL REVIEW FOR LEVEL OF NEED CASES
In a recent article, Understanding the Anatomy of a Level of Need Appeal, I said that recourse beyond the administrative process was non-existent at worst and uncertain at best. We now have good news on that issue from the Texas Supreme Court.In September, the Texas Supreme Court ruled on a case involving the question of whether or not a person who holds a child-care facility license may obtain judicial review of an administrative decision to revoke the license, Texas Department of Protective … [Read more...] about JUDICIAL REVIEW FOR LEVEL OF NEED CASES
