UPDATE Weekly

The new deadline to receive completed nominations is Tuesday, September 10th. This date is quickly approaching!

Have you nominated one or more of your front-line staff for the Fabulous Fifty Award? What a great way to recognize and celebrate someone who makes a significant difference in the lives of your residents and their families. Please encourage your facility to participate in this special award program.

The dates for the 14th Annual Fabulous 50 Celebrations are:

District I – October 15, 2013, Grand Bohemian Hotel, Asheville
District II – October 21, 2013, Hilton Charlotte University Place, Charlotte
District III – October 24, 2013, Grandover Resort, Greensboro
District IV – October 29, 2013, Mad Boar Restaurant, Wallace
District V – November 4, 2013, Renaissance North Hills Hotel, Raleigh

Please click here to fill out nominations online or click here to download the nomination forms and mail in. If you have any questions about the Fabulous 50 awards, call the Association office at (919) 782-3827. Pictures for nominations submitted online may be e-mailed to kareno@nchcfa.org or mailed to the Association office.

[Return to top]

Please plan to join your friends and colleagues in beautiful Pinehurst, North Carolina, on September 11th and 12th for the Second Annual Autumn Classic Golf Tournament. The event will begin on Wednesday evening with a reception, dinner and program held at the world famous Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club. The Pinehurst Autumn Classic is being sponsored by the NC Health Care Facilities Association to benefit our political action committee (PAC). You do not have to play golf to participate! Visit the Association Web site at http://www.NursingHomesNC.com for registration details.

[Return to top]

Because of the Labor Day holiday, the checkwrite dates for this week are all moved forward by one day. The posting and availability of funds to provider bank accounts will depend on the provider’s financial institution. Wells Fargo customers should see their payments in their accounts on the day that the EFT is processed, which will be Thursday of this week (9/5/2013). Providers who bank at other financial institutions should see payments the business day following the date that the EFT is processed, which will be Friday (9/6/2013) afternoon.

The change is for this week only, due to the holiday, per the checkwrite schedule.

The checkwrite schedule can be found under the Quick Links on the right side of the Provider Portal home page.

[Return to top]

The Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF)/Long-Term Care (LTC) Open Door Forum (ODF) addresses the concerns and issues of the Medicare SNF, the Medicaid NF, and the nursing home industry generally. The types of issues that come up during this forum are often related to the Minimum Data Set, SNF Consolidated Billing, the roles and responsibilities of different SNF, NF or LTC professional staff under CMS regulations, clarifications of issues that are covered during a survey and certification process, and the many rules and requirements under which different related services can be payable. Timely announcements and clarifications regarding important rulemaking, quality program initiatives, and other related areas are also included in the forums.

The Thursday, September 5, 2013, SNF/LTC Open Door Forum has been rescheduled to Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET, due to the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah. If you wish to participate, dial (800) 837-1935 and reference Conference ID 36228549.

[Return to top]

The North Carolina Directors of Nursing Administration (NC DONA) 18th Annual Conference will be held September 11-14, 2013 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort, 10,000 Beach Club Drive, Myrtle Beach, SC. CEUs will be offered for Administrators and Directors of Nursing. Session highlights include Regulatory Update in Long Term Care, Music & Memory, and 90 Minutes to a Leaner, Stronger & Hungrier Leader. Additional conference highlights include a two day trade show and an evening at the Carolina Opry. To register visit NC DONA’s Web site at http://www.ncdonaltc.com. If you need additional information please call Julie Braswell, NC DONA-Region II Director, at (336) 372-2441.

[Return to top]

The North Carolina Culture Change Coalition (NCCCC) presents “Alive Inside” the story of Music & Memory© with founder Dan Cohen. “Alive Inside” is a film documentary that captures the transformation that takes place when nursing home residents are handed iPods loaded with music from their youth. It explores the findings of extensive neuroscience research on the power of music and shows the dramatic impact of the program called Music and Memory© for those with dementia and other cognitive impairments.

Two people from every certified nursing home may attend FREE; CMS requests 1 of the free attendees to be an activity staff person; any additional staff will be $50 per person.

• October 1 – Durham Double Tree by Hilton Raleigh Research Triangle Park
• October 2 – New Bern Double Tree by Hilton New Bern-Riverfront
• October 16 – Statesville Ramada Conference Center Statesville

To receive registration information contact Becky Wertz, becky.wertz@dhhs.nc.gov, or (919) 855-4580.

This session is intended for surveyors, ombudsmen and nursing home staff. NCCCC has applied for Administrator Credit Hours.

[Return to top]

Please join the American Health Care Association (AHCA) for a Webinar, titled “ICD-10-CM – What is it? Why? And What Next?,” on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at 2:00 PM ET, to learn more about implementation and the upcoming deadlines for the transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM.

As you are aware, on October 1, 2014, the ICD-9 code sets used to report medical diagnoses and inpatient procedures will be replaced by ICD-10 code sets. The transition to ICD-10 is required for everyone covered by the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA); which includes all SNFs/NFs and some assisted living facilities. Unfortunately, most of the information and materials you read about in the media or find on the internet is focused around hospital compliance. LTC providers also must understand the implications and make the successful transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 or claims will not be processed. CMS has instructed all providers to develop an implementation strategy now that includes an assessment of the impact on the organization, a detailed timeline and a budget.

To learn more about how to get started, please join AHCA, with expert Deborah Johnson, RHIT, CHP (Life Care Centers of America, Corporate Director of Health Information Management/Privacy Officer; and AHIMA – Approved ICD-10 Trainer), and learn the background and reasons for the upcoming changes, as well as the first steps to take to begin to implement the changes. Learning objectives include:

• Learn the basics about ICD-10 and CMS’ timeline for implementation;
• Understand why the change from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and the ensuring differences;
• Discuss the important steps in an ICD-10 implementation strategy including how to perform an impact analysis, develop training and get additional ICD-10 expert help; and
• Learn about important budget considerations for ICD-10 implementation.

To register for this free Webinar, go to http://webinars.ahcancal.org/session.php?id=11516.

[Return to top]

Don’t forget to register for the AHCA/NCAL 64th Annual Convention & Expo. Held October 6-9 in Phoenix, this is an event you don’t want to miss. For a complete list of education sessions, speakers, expo information, and event schedules, visit the Convention & Expo Website. Advance registration for this year’s event continues through September 9.

[Return to top]

Mark your calendar today for the North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association’s “Falls Prevention-Train the Trainer” with Sue Ann Guildermann! This comprehensive two-day program will cover Empira’s comprehensive fall prevention and reduction program in more detail. If you missed Sue Ann’s one-day seminar in March, you will NOT want to miss this two-day program!

This two-day course will be held November 13-14, 2013 in Greensboro, NC. Brochures will be mailed this fall! You must attend both days to receive credit.

[Return to top]

The NCHCFA Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held February 23-26, 2014 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel/Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC! Brochures outlining specific program information will be mailed in December.

[Return to top]

This book explores 28 challenging cases covering pivotal issues that most health care administrators and managers are likely to encounter at some point in their work—quality improvement, strategic planning, ethical dilemmas, organizational dynamics, cost–benefit analyses, resource utilization, and more. Providing an exceptional framework for decision-making and debate, Cases in Health Services Management is an outstanding casebook that provokes thought and discussion.

To order, visit http://www.AHCApublications.org or call (800) 321-0343.

Product #8248
AHCA MEMBERS $59.95

[Return to top]

Does your facility need an extra copy of the Membership Directory around the office? This informative guide lists the NCHCFA Board of Directors, member facilities (by facility, administrator and district), staff contacts, and NCHCFA trade members. Order yours today! Contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org.

[Return to top]

For Hospital Patients, Observation Status Can Prove Costly

http://wunc.org/post/hospital-patients-observation-status-can-prove-costly

[Return to top]

In 1872 America’s first trained nurse, Linda Ann Judson Richards, begins her education at the Training School of the New England Hospital for Women and Children. She graduated September 1, 1873.

[Return to top]