UPDATE Weekly

Due to the query system change from DRIVE to Truven R&A, the Medicaid claims data for July 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013 is currently not available. This claims data is used by Myers and Stauffer (M&S) to ensure payer source accuracy on the preliminary resident rosters used for the Medicaid case-mix index calculation. The Division of Medical Assistance (DMA) and M&S have agreed that the best course of action is to use the assessment data to determine NF Medicaid payer source and use the prior quarter’s Hospice and Vent claims data to determine the ‘Other’ payer source. Since this will be the preliminary report, providers will have ample opportunity to indicate payer source changes, if necessary. The preliminary report should be received in Myers and Stauffer’s office by December 10, 2013.

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Senate Bill 402 prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from issuing licenses for special care units for the period of July 31, 2013 through July 1, 2016. Special care units, as used in this bill, are defined by G.S. 131D-4.6 and G.S. 131E-114. The law does allow for changes of ownership with new licenses for the current number of special care unit beds to the new owner. The moratorium applies to new facilities pending licensure, the conversion of currently licensed beds to a special care unit or increases in the number of special care unit beds. There is a process that providers can use to request an exception from the moratorium.

For additional information on the moratorium and the exception process, click here.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has developed a national partnership to improve the quality of care provided to individuals with dementia living in nursing homes. This partnership is focused on delivering health care that is person-centered, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary. By improving dementia care through the use of individualized, person-centered care approaches, CMS hopes to continue to reduce the use of unnecessary antipsychotic medications in nursing homes and eventually other care settings as well. The partnership promotes a systematic process to evaluate each person and identify approaches that are most likely to benefit that individual. While antipsychotic medications are the initial focus of the partnership, CMS recognizes that attention to other potentially harmful medications is also an important part of this initiative.

The call is scheduled for Monday, November 25, from 2:00 PM until 3:30 PM ET. To register, click here. During this MLN Connects Call, CMS subject matter experts will provide a brief overview of the progress that has been made so far during the implementation of this national partnership. Additional speakers will be presenting on the CMS Hand in Hand training series. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

Agenda:

• National partnership overview
• Using Hand in Hand to improve dementia care
• Closing and next steps
• Question and answer session

Continuing education credit may be awarded for participation in certain MLN Connects Calls. Visit the Continuing Education Credit Information Web page to learn more.

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NCTracks has posted the checkwrite schedule for 2014. It can be accessed by clicking here.

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contributed by Stan Szpytek, Consultant to the Arizona Health Care Association

The holidays can certainly be a wonderful time of year at long term care, assisted living and senior housing properties. It is a much-anticipated season full of decorations and celebrations. During this joyous time, it is important for individuals and organizations to maintain a clear focus on safety-related matters and not to forget to use common sense and good judgment when transforming their properties into “Winter Wonderlands.” Here are some basic tips to remember:

Exits: It is imperative that all exits within your building are kept free and clear of any obstructions. Items like holiday trees or rearranged furniture should never partially or totally compromise an exit. Do not let “seasonal design” impede on function or code requirements. All exits must remain completely accessible at all times.

Electricity: It’s easy to get caught up in the holiday spirit and pull a “Clark Griswold” (the Chevy Chase character in the movie “Christmas Vacation” that decorates every square inch of his house with outrageous holiday lighting). Some properties may not have the electrical capacity or proper amount of electrical outlets to support elaborate lighting or electronic decorations. It is critical not to overload electrical outlets or use unsafe wiring arrangements. Again, do not let function impede on design or safety. Use good common sense when setting up electric decorations. If it looks unsafe, it probably is. Do not get carried away with extension cords and only use approved sockets strips or surge protectors with built-in circuit breakers to safely expand the use of your building’s electrical delivery system.

Live Decorations: While “live” decorations like trees and wreaths add a certain ambiance to the season, they are unsafe and likely prohibited by code in commercial and public buildings. If you have ever seen a dry holiday tree burn, you understand the ferocity and potential disaster that it represents. As a firefighter, I responded to several serious fires involving holiday trees and the results were always the same- extreme property damage and serious injury to building occupants. It is recommended that you keep live holiday decorations outside of your building; even if you receive items like wreaths as gifts. These items are very dangerous and may represent a code violation if they are discovered within your building.

Open Flame: Candles come in every shape, flavor and size. Simply stated, “Candles start fires.” There has been an alarming increase in candle-related fires in the last three years that clearly defines how dangerous these items really are. As a safety advocate and former fire marshal, my training, experience and common sense requires me to advise you that the “benefit is simply not worth the risk.” If candles are used within your building, they must be constantly monitored and given plenty of clearance. Never place candles near plants, flowers, decorations or any other combustible materials. The occupants of buildings that I responded to over the years that experienced a fire involving a candle never imagined the destruction and disruption within their home or business that such an innocent item could cause.

Fire Protection Systems: You may think that fire sprinkler head or smoke detector on the ceiling is a great spot to hang some garland, mistletoe, or other holiday decorations but, THEY ARE NOT! In accordance with code, nothing can be hanging or attached to these critical life-saving devices. Resist the urge to use features of fire protection systems (sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, horns, strobes, pull stations, etc.) as anchor points. These devices must be maintained in a condition that is free and clear of all obstructions that could compromise their performance during an emergency situation.

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This book explores 28 challenging cases which cover 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

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Important information for residents and families. This brochure outlines what physical restraints are, when they should be used, rules and regulations concerning restraints, and making decisions about using them. Contact Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org to order brochures for your facility.

NCHCFA Member: $30.00 per 100 brochures plus tax and shipping

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Advancements in dentistry make it more likely that older adults will keep their teeth longer, which means ongoing oral health care is essential, a new study says.

http://www.nbcnews.com/health/be-sure-oral-health-care-frail-elderly-isnt-neglected-8C11566224

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100 tons of small meteorites, mainly fragments of dust, enter the earth’s atmosphere every day.

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