Provider Letter : PL 18-15 - Texas Unified License Information Portal (TULIP) is a new web-based licensure system designed specifically for licensed long-term care providers it will begin on Sept 4, 2018. All licensure applications will be electronic, including those for initial licenses, renewals and changes of ownership. The provider letter out lines important dates and information related to TULIP’s benefits and features, as well as instructions for making a successful transition to … [Read more...] about New Web-based Licensure System – Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal (TULIP)
Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act goes to Senate For Approval, May Become Law
Palliative and hospice care can improve both the quality of care and quality of life for patients who are terminally ill and their families. Now the Senate has the decision to follow the U.S. House of Representatives, which has unanimously approved a bill that would help doctors and other healthcare professional elevate their skills in providing hospice and palliative care. The H.R.1676 - Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act would also increase palliative care research and … [Read more...] about Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act goes to Senate For Approval, May Become Law
Guidelines Regarding Plans of Correction Associated with a PASRR Violation
Provider Letter 18-09 (NF) - This letter addressed Long-Term Care Regulations by HHSC. Nursing facilities (NFs) must comply with both state and federal requirements related to Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). This includes coordinating Level I screening and Level II evaluation assessments, participating in interdisciplinary team meetings (IDTs), and providing necessary specialized services for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID), developmental disabilities (DD) or … [Read more...] about Guidelines Regarding Plans of Correction Associated with a PASRR Violation
HHS Seeks Members for e-Health Advisory Committee – Deadline June 26th
According to the HHS Website, The Texas Health and Human Services Commission executive commissioner will appoint members to the E-Health Advisory committee to serve a two-year term. Applications are due by 5 p.m. June 26. This position is specific for those interested in health information technology, health information exchange systems, telemedicine, telehealth and home telemonitoring services. Excerpt form HHS: The e-Health Advisory Committee was created under Texas Government Code, … [Read more...] about HHS Seeks Members for e-Health Advisory Committee – Deadline June 26th
Healthcare concerns looms as Nursing provider shortage facing country intensifies
News reports have indicated that the Texas's large population of older residents, healthcare systems and assisted living facilities (ALF) could be impacted due to a nursing provider (NP) shortage facing the entire country. Central Texas and the Texas Panhandle are largely affected by the shortage of nurses. According to a Nursing Shortage Factsheet : The U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) that is expected to intensify as Baby Boomers age and the need for … [Read more...] about Healthcare concerns looms as Nursing provider shortage facing country intensifies
American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living Announce Quality Improvement Goals for Nursing Providers
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
Elderly patients at risk at Nursing homes that overmedicate
National reports by Human rights advocates say that nursing homes are overprescribing antipsychotics to patients. According to the latest data from the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, known as CMS, the percentage of long-term nursing home residents being given antipsychotic drugs dropped from about 24 percent in late 2011 to under 16 percent last year. Yet advocacy groups reveal that misuse of drugs remains a major problem in nursing facilities. The findings outlined in a … [Read more...] about Elderly patients at risk at Nursing homes that overmedicate
New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
According to reports, a newly created division of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office for Civil Rights will oversee and protect health care workers who decline to partake in certain medical procedures for patients due to moral or religious objections. HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on "protecting life" and “conscience rights” that will further protect health-care providers who think they are being punished or discriminated … [Read more...] about New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
Physician’s duties increasingly reduced by nurses, long-term care providers for chronically ill
According to news reports a shifting role of physicians is expected to accelerate in the coming decades. Healthcare providers work as a team with health specialist usually overseeing various aspects of a patients care including symptoms and medical history, orders for tests and services, prescriptions, etc. At the end of the pre-screening by healthcare providers, a physician is left with the final assessment and the plan—the medical decisions and diagnosis. some doctors are said to be opting … [Read more...] about Physician’s duties increasingly reduced by nurses, long-term care providers for chronically ill
CMS, HHS Roll out Emergency Efforts Help Texas and Louisiana with Hurricane Harvey Recovery
According to reports Hurricane Harvey 25 dumped trillions of gallons of water which required evacuation of thousands of residents from over 95 nursing centers and assisted living communities in Texas. A public health emergencies has been declared in both Texas and Louisana and healthcare providers are temporarily waiving or modifying certain Medicare, Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements to provide immediate relief to hurricane Harvey’s victims in flood devastated … [Read more...] about CMS, HHS Roll out Emergency Efforts Help Texas and Louisiana with Hurricane Harvey Recovery
