The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) issued quality improvement goals for skilled nursing providers in long term and post-acute care. The goals, aligned with the priorities of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and federal mandates, were identified to improve care delivery during the next three years. According to reports: The goals outlined by the AHCA and NCAL include: --Safely reduce long- and short-stay hospitalizations by … [Read more...] about American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
Trump proposes new rule for affordable Healthcare: Limited duration health plan for 364 day
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and the Trump administration are proposing new regulations for short-term health insurance plans, focusing on value-based care as a priority. According to reports, Azar's speech focused on value-based care, an approach in which doctors and hospitals are reimbursed by private health insurance and the government for how well patients emerge after a medical procedure versus the amount of care provided. The proposed rule — which would allow people to … [Read more...] about Trump proposes new rule for affordable Healthcare: Limited duration health plan for 364 day
Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
In 2016, the nursing home industry requested the change in the Medicare program's penalty protocols and now, according to reports, a new policy from the Trump administration will roll back fines against nursing homes cited for mistreatment or neglect. The New York Times research found that nearly 6,500 nursing homes in the U.S. have received at least one citation for a serious violation since 2013 and about two-thirds of those have been fined by Medicare.According to this New York Times excerpt … [Read more...] about Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Many nursing homes have hired Certified Nurse Aides with criminal histories legally. Using data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, it has been discovered that the patient abuse rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average. 25% of the state's 1,200 long-term care centers have been cited for serious standard deficiencies- According to reports by the AARPIn Texas, there are many nurse aides in nursing facilities that have criminal … [Read more...] about Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
LTC News: ACA Discussion, Gov’t Shutdown
-- "Although CMS posted the new manual Tuesday, just one week before it goes into effect, the agency previously had issued guidance to long-term care providers on notable changes regarding therapy and nutritional status." - McKnight's -- "The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has decided to ease guidelines concerning auditors' requests for additional documentation. CMS is giving providers a small break by saying auditors should accept additional documentation submissions in a … [Read more...] about LTC News: ACA Discussion, Gov’t Shutdown
DRILLING DOWN TO ADL MDS ERRORS: THE HOW AND WHY MONEY IS WALKING OUT YOUR DOOR
As discussed last week, ADL's are the major target for HHSC-OIG. ADL's are the source for most errors resulting in RUG write downs. Not only did the facility lose money on incorrectly charted ADL's they will also face large penalties after a RUG review. Charting ADL's For most MDS nurses, ADLS are pieces of paper the CNA's have scribbled some numbers on. Ideally this number reflects both the Plan of Care and what care was really given. Calculating an accurate ADL score for … [Read more...] about DRILLING DOWN TO ADL MDS ERRORS: THE HOW AND WHY MONEY IS WALKING OUT YOUR DOOR
New CMS Survey Memo Addresses Point of Care Devices and Infection Control in Nursing Homes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released a survey memorandum regarding point of care testing in nursing homes. Specifically, the memorandum addresses the practice of using a blood glucose meter or other point of care device for more than one resident. Such devices must be properly cleaned and disinfected after use with each resident. Finger stick devices may not be used for more than one resident. Improper or non-cleaning of point of care devices such as blood glucose … [Read more...] about New CMS Survey Memo Addresses Point of Care Devices and Infection Control in Nursing Homes
