UPDATE Weekly

The North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association is turning 60 in 2015! All members are invited to join in the celebration at the NCHCFA Diamond Jubilee, February 15-18, 2015 at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel/Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC. Are you ready to reminisce? Join us as we take a look back in time to when it all began. NCHCFA will be honoring all members from the past and present. Call the Sheraton at (800) 242-6556 to make your room reservation. Identify that you are with “NC Health Care Facilities Association 2015 Convention” to receive the group discounted rate.

To view the entire 2015 Annual Convention & Expo Schedule CLICK HERE! Registration materials will be available next week.

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Incorporating Active Shooter Planning into Health Care Facility Emergency Operations Plans is available and posted to the Public Health Emergency Web site. The document was developed with assistance from the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response’s (ASPR) Divisions of Health System Policy and Tactical Programs, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council. This document shows how government and private sector partners can work together to benefit our healthcare and public health communities.

In the near future, an updated version of the “Active Shooter Planning and Response in a Healthcare Setting” guide will be released, which will include sections on law enforcement tactics and considerations, as well as an integrated medical and psychological response. Look for a future announcement when the document is complete.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has restructured the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) Program to further enhance the quality of services to Medicare beneficiaries. Since August 1, 2014, KEPRO has been the Beneficiary and Family Centered Care QIO (BFCC-QIO) for the state of North Carolina. Previously, the QIO in North Carolina was The Carolinas Center for Medical Excellence.

KEPRO has scheduled a conference call for NCHCFA members. Information for participation on this call is as follows:

• Name: Presentation: KEPRO – Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO)
• Date: January 13, 2015
• Time: 2:00-3:00pm ET

Meeting Password: KEPRO

Teleconference: (866)754-2932. Teleconference access code: 6591815376. Please dial in 15 minutes prior to the presentation to ensure the automatic system set-up is properly established.

Attendee Instructions:

1) Click or Copy and Paste this to your Web browser: https://qualitynet.webex.com
2) Locate the event you wish to join
3) Click on Join Now (located to the right of the event title)
4) Enter your name and e-mail address as prompted
5) Enter the password: KEPRO
6) Dial in to the teleconference. The number is (866)754-2932. The access code is 6591815376

If you have any questions or problems accessing the meeting, please call the General Dynamics Information Technology WebEx Helpline at (540)347-7400 x390.

For more information about KEPRO’s services, please visit their Web site at http://www.keproqio.com.

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Recruitment continues through March 31, 2015 for the upcoming Southern Partners Action Collaborative for Excellence facilitated by Alliant Quality. Goals will include:

• Continued use of QAPI tools and resources
• Continued reduction of Off-Label Use of Antipsychotics
• Improvement in Mobility for Long-Stay Residents
• Improvement of Composite Score to 6 or better.

To learn more about the CMS National Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative, click here.

To learn more about the SPACE Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative – Southern Partners Action Collaborative for Excellence Benefits, Expectations, and Commitments, click here.

If you are ready to register, click here for the Participation Agreement and fax or email back to Nancy Fendler as indicated. For more details, email Nancy at nancy.fendler@alliantquality.org.

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With more than 100 activities and care plans for long term care residents, there’s an activity that suits each resident’s distinct needs, no matter what the clinical condition or cognitive limitation. Inside this book, you’ll find:

• Dozens of comprehensive activity plans for every type of resident
• Simple explanations of corresponding CMS regulations
• Chapters devoted to residents with unique activity needs, including Alzheimer’s and dementia residents, bariatric residents, short-term stay residents, non-ambulatory residents, and more.

Each activity provides concise and specific steps that will help make it a success. Several variations, adaptations, modifications, and hints for customizing the activity to your facility are also offered. Bonus CD-ROM included! Each of the activities, forms, and care plans found in this book can also be accessed on the companion CD-ROM. Take this CD-ROM with you to any location and provide your residents with meaningful activities to foster a higher quality of life.

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

Product # 8131
AHCA Members (on-line price) $129.00

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If you missed Upcoming Hospice Regulations seminar, the notebook/presentation is now available for purchase. To order, e-mail your request to Jan Williams at janw@nchcfa.org. The cost is $25 plus tax and shipping.

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This Nursing Home Calms Troubling Behavior Without Risky Drugs

http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/12/09/368539057/this-nursing-home-calms-troubling-behavior-without-risky-drugs?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=202609

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Germans hide a pickle in the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The first child to discover it in the morning receives a small gift.

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