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Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly

CLTC Weekly is a free email newsletter that delivers the latest weekly news on the long-term care industry, including important CMS regulatory changes, a tip of the week, and much, much more.

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Contemporary Long-Term Care Weekly

Issue 51, December 18, 2008

• CMS implements the Five Star Quality Rating System

  During a December 11 SNF open door forum held by CMS, Thomas Hamilton, director of CMS&rsquo...

• New information regarding the SNF ABN and F309

  The unveiling and implementation of the new SNF advanced beneficiary notice (ABN) has been delayed...

• Tip of the week: Enhance employee motivation through play at work

  Keeping your staff members motivated on a daily basis can prove to be challenging with all the...

• Question of the week: Does your facility experience difficulty when billing Medicare Advantage plans?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/  and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 50, December 11, 2008

• Two Minnesota teens charged in nursing home abuse case

  Two teenage girls have been charged with abusing residents at the Good Samaritan Society nursing...

• New Medicaid rules give states more flexibility

  CMS recently issued a new regulation that would give states flexibility in designing their own...

• Tip of the week: How to use the common working file

  The common working file (CWF) is an important tool for long-term care billers. The CWF contains...

Issue 49, December 4, 2008

• Pain management research participation sought

  With significant regulatory changes coming in pain management for long-term care – with the F...

• The danger of depression in elderly

  A new study revealed a connection between depression and visceral fat – the dangerous fat...

• Tip of the week: Look beyond a universal approach when screening for MRSA

  Is universal screening the answer to reducing Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA...

• Question of the week: Are you concerned about the transition to the ICD-10?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/  and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 48, November 20, 2008

• New guidelines for Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans

  In an effort to ensure that Medicare Advantage (MA) chronic condition Special Needs Plans (CC-SNP...

• New study finds Ginkgo ineffective in dementia prevention

  A new government-funded study designed to examine the effectiveness of ginkgo biloba extract in...

• Paying for medication: What you can do to make cost-saving improvements in your facility

  Paying for medications in your facility is a complicated and expensive process. There are a...

Issue 47, November 13, 2008

• Results of Medicare D and Medicaid reimbursement research

  An HCPro study exploring how Medicare Part D plan policies for drugs has affected quality of care...

• Medicaid Research in LTC

  As a follow up to the research on how Medicare Part D plan policies for drugs has affected quality...

• Tip of the week: Retain CNAs to save money

  Certified nursing assistants (CNA) make up a large portion of your staff, and the money spent on...

• CMS releases report about physical restraint use

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a report titled Freedom from...

• Question of the week: Does your facility use negative pressure wound therapy?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/  and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 46, November 6, 2008

• CMS announces incentive program for electronic prescribing

  Physicians who begin using a qualified electronic prescribing system may receive an incentive...

• BJBC releases new resources for long-term care providers

  Better Jobs Better Care (BJBC) recently released four new resources to help long-term care...

• Tip of the week: Keep memory-impaired residents involved and engaged in stimulating activities

  The key to slowing down the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is to...

Issue 45, October 30, 2008

• CMS releases new MDS 3.0 information

  CMS released the draft MDS 3.0 data specifications Wednesday October 22, giving providers an...

• Leukemia drug found effective in treating MS

  In a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge in England, alemtuzumab...

• Question of the week: What is your facility’s biggest challenge when it comes to the increase in short-stay residents?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/  and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 44, October 23, 2008

• New study will highlight the underfunding of long-term care

  This week, AHCA plans to reveal a new study by Eljay LLC detailing the persistent underfunding of...

• New tool for discharge planning released by CMS

  A new CMS discharge planning tool was recently made available to beneficiaries and their...

• Tip of the week: Take necessary steps to prevent resident suicide

  Nursing home resident depression can lead to thoughts of dying, attempts at self harm, and, in some...

Issue 43, October 16, 2008

• OIG responds to nursing homes deficiencies

  In 2005, 2006, and 2007, over 91% of surveyed nursing homes were cited for deficiencies. The most...

• Using the Internet to improve mental functioning in elderly

  Researchers at the University of California at Los Angeles recently conducted a study to examine...

• Tip of the week: Save money by encouraging employees to get the flu vaccine

  In the past, there have been court battles in Washington over the legality of healthcare...

• Question of the week: Do you think nursing home residents should have access to the Internet?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/  and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 42, October 9, 2008

• Relationship between C. difficile and antibiotics questioned

  A recent study by Dr. Sandra Dial from the Research Institute of McGill University Health Center...

• CMS announces new permanent recovery audit contractors

  On October 6, CMS announced the launch of the national recovery audit contractor (RAC) program...

• Tip of the week: Incorporate ADL tracking tools in your everyday care planning

  Decline in ADL is a common issue for nursing home residents and needs to be documented...

Issue 41, October 2, 2008

• Medicaid costs for long-term care on the rise

  A report released September 29 by industry group America’s Health Insurance Plans states that...

• Twelve Indiana nursing homes deficiency-free

  The Indiana State Health Department announced that 12 local nursing homes had no deficiencies in...

• Tip of the week: Overcoming language barriers with ESL staff members

  It is common for nurses and nursing assistants to come from various backgrounds. Therefore, dealing...

• Question of the week: Do you think the media accurately portrays nursing homes?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/  and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 40, September 25, 2008

• New trial begins to test effectiveness of investigational pneumococcal vaccine

  On September 23, Wyeth Pharmaceuticals announced the beginning of the Community Acquired Pneumonia...

• New study links sleep duration and risk of falls

  A recent study in the September 8 issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine found that women 70...

• Tip of the week: Staff grocery store makes a difference at nursing home

  One weekend a couple of years ago, Barry Berman ’s children were coming home from college. In...

• Tip of the week: How to change the environment to manage resident falls

  Falls are an inevitable part of day-to-day life in a long-term care facility. Accidents happen, and...

Issue 39, September 18, 2008

• CMS delays revised SNF ABN implementation

  The implementation of the revised Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice (SNF ABN...

• Long-term care insurance plan costs rising

  Long-term care insurance customers who thought their low premiums were “locked in” may...

• Tip of the week: Change your environment of care to manage falls

  Falls are an inevitable part of day-to-day life in a long-term care facility. Accidents happen, and...

• Question of the week: Is your facility preparing for baby boomers?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the...

Issue 38, September 11, 2008

• Unclear discharge notes lead to medication starts and stops

  Poor information from hospital discharge records is a major reason why so many nursing homes are...

• Seven states receive grants to promote alternatives to institutional care

  CMS awarded a total of $8.3 million in grants to states with programs to raise awareness of...

• Tip of the week: Keep your facility safe from employment litigation

    Although it may fill some immediate needs, on-the-spot hiring is not a lucrative long-term...

Issue 37, September 4, 2008

• More Americans receive health insurance through Medicare and Medicaid

  The percentage of Americans who received health insurance through work or purchased health...

Issue 36, August 28, 2008

• National nursing assistant survey results posted online

  The results from the first national study of nursing assistants working in nursing facilities in...

• AHIP encourages Americans to get LTC insurance

  America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) launched a campaign to educate Americans about the...

• Question of the week: Do you think Americans are prepared for the cost of long-term care?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

Issue 35, August 21, 2008

• Short stays in long term care

  There’s an increasing trend of short stays in long-term care, as well as changes some...

• CMS releases draft MDS 2.0 and 3.0 Comparison Crosswalk

  CMS released the draft MDS 3.0 versus MDS 2.0 Comparison Crosswalk.

• Tip of the week: Three ways nursing homes solved their staffing problems

  Nursing homes across the country have devised innovative practices to address some of their most...

• This week's question: Is your facility preparing to undergo culture change?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 34, August 14, 2008

• Final rule released for automatic sprinkler systems

  The August 13, 2008 Federal Register contains the final rule that requires all long-term care...

• New ICD-9 CM coding guidelines available

    Two departments in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including CMS...

• Tip of the week: Proper care planning can prevent resident suicide, deter depression

  Resident depression is a serious matter. In many instances, severe depression leads to thoughts of...

Issue 33, August 7, 2008

• SNFs to receive an increase in Medicare payment rates

  Nursing homes will receive an increase of $780 million in Medicare payment rates next year...

• Walking reduces risk for disability in elderly

  A recent University of Georgia study found that adults age 60 and older who participated in a...

• Tip of the week: Develop a companywide strategy for EHR goals

  About three years ago, a long-term care organization called American Baptist Homes of the West in...

• This week’s question: Does your facility use electronic health records?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 32, July 31, 2008

• Senators oppose Medicare cuts

  A regulation that would cut $770 million for fiscal year 2009 is causing 47 U.S. Senators to weigh...

• Mild dementia on the rise

  A more mild type of mental decline, which often precedes Alzheimer’s disease, is becoming...

• Tip of the week: Show your appreciation every day

  What has your skilled nursing facility (SNF) done for its employees lately? Usually the answer is...

Issue 31, July 24, 2008

• College graduate becomes DON

  A 23-year-old named Jessie Noel is the director of nursing (DON) at Midland Meadows, an...

• MDS 3.0 update

  A new MDS 3.0 implementation timeline has been updated on the CMS Web site.

• This week's question: Do you think a 23-year-old DON is too young?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 30, July 17, 2008

• Exercise may prevent brain shrinkage for Alzheimer's patients

  A preliminary study suggests that individuals with early Alzheimer’s disease may be able to...

• Massachusetts facility experiences carbon monoxide exposure

  Eight employees and 38 residents were sent to the hospital after high levels of carbon monoxide...

• Tip of the week: Develop a companywide strategy for EHR goals

  About three years ago, a long-term care organization called American Baptist Homes of the West in...

• This week’s question: Is your facility up-to-code to comply with the sprinkler system requirements under the new regulation to be issued by CMS?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 29, July 10, 2008

• Joint Commission posts the 2009 IC standards

  The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) posted its 2009 infection control standards online last...

• CDC releases checklist for infection control concerns in flood-damaged facilities

  In light of flood devastation in the Midwest, healthcare facilities may find the following CDC...

Issue 28, July 3, 2008

• Wisconsin sets up wound care certification program

  The state of Wisconsin announced the development of a collaborative effort between multiple...

• Five star quality system on Nursing Home Compare Web site

  CMS is expecting to launch a ranking system for nursing homes that utilizes star numbers to...

• This week's question: Do you feel confident about the rating your facility will receive under the new Five Star Nursing Home Quality Rating System?

  This week’s question: Do you feel confident about the rating your facility will receive under...

Issue 27, June 26, 2008

• CMS revises two F-Tags

  CMS has released an advanced copy of revised surveyor guidance regarding nutrition and sanitary...

• Sprinkler systems now required in nursing homes

  CMS released a new regulation that requires long-term care facilities to install sprinkler systems...

Issue 26, June 19, 2008

• Life expectancy increases in the U.S.

  Fewer deaths from the flu and pneumonia in 2006 helped boost U.S. life expectancy, which for the...

• AHRQ reports wide range in healthcare efficiency measures

  A report, prepared for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), has found that there...

• This week’s question: Has your facility ever been cited for F-Tag 329?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 25, June 12, 2008

• Strategic lighting improves Alzheimer's symptoms

  An improvement in symptoms of dementia was discovered with the use of daytime bright lighting to...

• Public health hazards receive funding from HHS

  The Department of Health and Human Services has announced that nearly $1.1 billion has been made...

Issue 24, June 5, 2008

• Death of spouse likely to spur nursing home care

  New research indicates that if a person’s spouse passes away, the surviving spouse is more...

• Study shows more isn't always better

  People with serious conditions who receive more tests and procedures and see additional specialists...

• Article of the week: Show your appreciation every day

  What has your skilled nursing facility (SNF) done for its employees lately? Usually the answer is...

• This week's question: Are you satisfied with your facility's quality assurance program?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 23, May 29, 2008

• Candidates weigh in on long-term care

  If you reside in one of the states that haven’t had a presidential primary yet, one thing to...

• Survey shows customer and employee satisfaction

  My InnerView, an independent research firm, released a report last week that shows both consumers...

Issue 22, May 22, 2008

• Medicare makes unnecessary overpayments

  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), has...

• Fight against Alzheimer’s gains support

  Retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor urged Congress to speed research and help to fight...

• This week's question: Do you think your staff has an understanding on how to conduct a resident interview if MDS 3.0 is implemented?

  This week’s question: Do you think your staff has an understanding on how to conduct a...

Issue 21, May 15, 2008

• National nursing home week is here

  This week is National Nursing Home Week.

• Long-term care setting more likely to evoke depression

  Elderly residents in long-term care settings are more likely to take antidepressant medications or...

Issue 20, May 8, 2008

• Risk of Alzheimer’s reduced with generic painkiller

  A study in the US shows that the use of ibuprofen is likely to reduce the risk of developing...

• CMS released the proposed rule for 2009 SNF PPS

  The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the proposed rule for the...

• Patients gain access to Florida medical records

  In Florida, patients can ask to see a facility or provider medical incident record. That's...

• Tip of the week: Find your nursing home's niche for success

  Create a culture of community in your nursing home and you’ll soon see how it improves your...

• This week’s question: Do you have a plan in place for training staff on MDS 3.0?

  This week’s question: Do you have a plan in place for training staff on MDS 3.0?

Issue 19, April 24, 2008

• Obese seniors need more long-term care services

  Elderly who are moderately to severely obese are at a greater risk of needing long-term care...

• New information added to Nursing Home Compare Web site

  Last week, CMS added information to the Nursing Home Compare Web site that will allow Medicaid...

• Increased risk of pneumonia for elderly taking antipsychotic drug

  Elderly persons taking antipsychotic drugs have a 60 percent increased risk for developing...

• Electronic medical records can reproduce errors

  Using electronic medical records has caused some caregivers to reproduce errors, according to an...

• This week’s question: Do you think the long-term care industry is ready for the baby boomers

  This week’s question: Do you think the long-term care industry is ready for the baby...

Issue 18, April 17, 2008

• Institute of Medicine releases report on state of U.S. elder care

  The number of healthcare workers to manage the needs of the elderly, who make up nearly 20% of the...

• New York nursing homes admit more residents for short-term stays

  New York nursing homes are having to take on many short-term residents in the wake of hospitals...

Issue 17, April 10, 2008

• Fall-related deaths spike in Massachusetts

  Massachusetts experienced a sharp rise in fall-related deaths among the state’s elderly...

• Illinois nursing home under fire

  A McHenry County nursing home is facing a lawsuit in the death of a resident, reported the...

Issue 16, April 3, 2008

• FDA approved medicines may cause safety risks

  Medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration on deadline, rather than ahead of...

• Medicare changes affect oxygen patients, suppliers

  Beginning July 1, only some suppliers of oxygen will continue to be contracted by Medicare as the...

• STRIVE study results

   The draft results for the STRIVE project from the meeting on February 13, 2008 is available...

• MDS 3.0

  The MDS 3.0 is on its way. HCPro is getting ready, are you? Stay tuned for MDS 3.0 updates...

• This week's question: Does your facility have a procedure in place to train staff on proper resident and surveyor interview techniques?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page to...

Issue 15, March 27, 2008

• South Carolina SNF residents are loving wii-hab

  Nintendo's Wii game console isn't just for youngesters anymore. More nursing homes are...

• Florida facility facing lawsuit in resident's death

  A nursing home in Titusville, Florida is facing a negligence suit in the death of a female...

• Article of week: Show your appreciation every day

  What has your skilled nursing facility (SNF) done for its employees lately? Usually the answer is...

Issue 14, March 20, 2008

• Baby boomers at risk for Alzheimer's

  A report released earlier this week by the Alzheimer's Association, 2008 Alzheimer's Disease Facts...

• Oklahoma nursing homes drop liability coverage

  According to the Oklahoma Center for Consumer and Patient Safety, there are currently at least 56...

• Tip of the week: Reeducate your staff about fire safety

  A rash of recent nursing home fires serves as a reminder to administrators about the need for...

• This week’s question: Is your facility gearing up for the MDS 3.0?

  This week's question: How often do you visit CMS' Web site? Go to...

• HCPro, Inc. launches new logo and tagline as part of its new corporate branding initiative

  HCPro, Inc. is launching a new corporate branding campaign designed to reflect the company’s...

Issue 13, March 13, 2008

• Mandatory mediation implemented in Illinois County

  Madison County is the first in Illinois to implement a policy requiring mandatory mediation between...

• New CIAs cover QAA productivity

  Two new Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIA) involving nursing homes have been implemented...

• Tip of the week: CNAs share their tips on how to care for residents with dementia

  With more elderly people developing dementia and eventually needing nursing home care, the staff in...

Issue 12, March 7, 2008

• CMS releases new ABN form

  On March 3, CMS released the revised version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN...

• CMS, OESS post new information and checklist for sercurity investigations and compliance review

  On February 20, the Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) posted new information on the...

Issue 11, February 28, 2008

• Healthcare spending expected to remain consistent through 2017

  Healthcare spending in 2007 is estimated to be at 6.7%, according to a report released by CMS on...

• Proposed rules to provide Medicaid design flexibility

  States could expect more flexibility in designing a Medicaid program under two newly proposed...

• Article of the week: Top 10 ways to make your facility a homier dwelling

  Buy versus build: Those aren't your only options to bring your skilled nursing facility (SNF) into...

• This week’s question: How often do you visit CMS’ Web site?

  This week’s questioN: How often do you visit CMS’ Web site?

Issue 10, February 22, 2008

• Rates of drug-resistant infections are on the rise

  As many as 70% of infections may now be resistant to antibiotics, APIC said this week. The...

• Study suggests that senior citizens' brain function is improving

  A recent study found that there are a lower percentage of seniors ages 70 and older with serious...

Issue 7, February 14, 2008

• Database to assess satisfaction

  The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is partnering with My Innerview to develop a...

• CMS adds more underperforming SNF names to its list

  On February 12, CMS provided an updated list of underperforming nursing homes, according to an...

• This week's question: Has your facility started training on the QIS survey process?

  This week's question: Has your facility started training on the QIS survey process?

Issue 6, February 7, 2008

• Bush announces a proposed $196 billion Medicare spending

  Over the next five years, Medicare and Medicaid could expect a $196 billion cut if President Bush's...

• Medicare's Part D drug program enrollment on the rise

  The number of enrollees in the three-year-old Medicare Part D drug program is climbing, even as...

• Tip of the Week: Is your nursing home a five-star dining facility?

  Nursing homes now face the growing demands of CMS to improve residents’ quality of life...

Issue 5, January 31, 2008

• OIG requests comments on compliance program guidance revisions

  Last week, the Federal Register posted a notice seeking comments from nursing homes in regards to...

• Medication reduction can reduce fall risk among residents

  A newly released Swedish study claims that curbing the amount of tranquilizers and antidepressants...

Issue 4, January 24, 2008

• Medicare Advantage informational claims now due

  Effective January 1, skilled nursing facilities are now required to submit information-only claims...

• Reader Benchmarking Poll: Parenteral Nutrition, IV, and Healthcare Acquired Infection

  What percentage of your patient population receives Parenteral Nutrition? Even if you don’t...

• This week's question: How willing are you or your facility to write or contact your Congressperson about regulations and other issues affecting your nursing home?

  This week's question: How willing are you or your facility to write or contact your Congressperson...

Issue 3, January 17, 2008

• MedPAC recommends no change in FY 2009 SNF payment rates

  Following its draft recommendations issued last month, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission...

• Providers urge candidates to reform long-term care

  Leading long-term care organizations gathered this week in Washington to challenge presidential...

• Report: People diagnosed with dementia survive less than five years

  Individuals with dementia survive an average of four and a half years after diagnosis, a report in...

• Tip of the week: Winter safety tips for seniors

  Melted snow and ice can cause hazardous conditions for everyone, but especially for the elderly...

• This week's question: Does your facility have an Alzheimer's/dementia unit?

  Go to http://hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottm right corner of the page...

Issue 2, January 10, 2008

• No revisit user fees for nursing homes

  CMS will not be charging skilled nursing facilities for revisit user fees now that President Bush...

• FDA approves two-hour blood test for staph

  BD Diagnostics has announced that it received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration...

• This week's question: What percentage of your residents wear alarms?

  Go to http://www.hcpro.com/long-term-care/ and scroll down to the bottom right corner of the page...

• Wound care alert: Survey results show Santyl transition continues

  In December, HCPro surveyed long-term care nurses about your decision whether to transition...

Issue 1, January 3, 2008

• Caregiving gets safer as states adopt "no lift"

  New Jersey may become the latest state to pass "no lift" legislation, an act aimed at minimizing...

• CMS releases RAI User's Manual changes

  CMS has released revisions to the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) User's Manual. The changes...

• Tip of the week: Survey your staff to evaluate productivity

  Sometimes the best way to unearth operational deficiences is to query your staff directly.

• Tip of the week: Survey your staff to evaluate productivity

  Sometimes the best way to unearth operational deficiences is to query your staff directly.

• CMS releases a more detailed timeline for MDS 3.0

  CMS has released its most detailed timeline so far for MDS 3.0 implementation.

• Tip of the week: Manage time effectively

  Avoid these pitfalls when managing your time: