E-News Update Articles

The Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign was initiated in September, 2006 with the mission to make nursing homes better places to live, work, and visit. With an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders, this voluntary effort helped focus providers, government entities, as well as professional and consumer advocates to help nursing homes measurably improve care. Please click here for information on the transitioning of this campaign to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Nursing Home Quality Improvement

OSHA has extended the effective date of the anti-retaliation provision in its final rule, Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses until Dec. 1, 2016. This is an additional extension from the original August date, which was then extended until Nov. 1, 2016. This is one provision of the OSHA rule, which requires nursing centers, assisted living communities, and other employers to electronically submit workplace injuries and illnesses as well as post anti-retaliation protections for workers who report work-related injuries or illnesses. Source: OSHA

Please mark your calendars to participate in a webinar regarding Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in nursing homes presented by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality. During this webinar, staff from the Bureau’s Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification will share guidance with nursing homes on the topic of SUD in nursing homes. This presentation will assist nursing homes in understanding a facility’s role in regard to treatment and safety, and what

AHRQ’s new Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide is a research-based resource that offers step-by-step instructions and materials to help nursing homes improve antibiotic use and decrease harms caused by inappropriate prescribing. The guide, which is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's core elements of antibiotic stewardship, can also help health care providers meet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new Infection Prevention and Control Program requirements. That program requires providers to have a systemt o prevent

OSHA has updated its Guidelines for Safety and Health Programs. The guidelines are not new mandates, but are recommended practices to prevent workplace injuries that can be implemented in any industry. They are designed to be used in a variety of small-and medium-sized business settings, including senior living providers. The Administration has compiled tools, such as a program audit tool to help providers evaluate their safety and health program. The website also includes action items for employers, case studies and

CMS will host the next National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and QAPI MLN Connects® Call on Tuesday, December 6 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm ET. During this call, participants will learn about the reform of requirements for long-term care facilities, highlighting the Behavioral Health Services & Pharmacy Services sections. A Tennessee nursing home will also discuss innovative approaches that they implemented to dramatically reduce the use of antipsychotic medications. Additionally, CMS subject matter experts will share updates on

We are very pleased that Governor Charlie Baker will deliver opening remarks at our November 10th Annual Meeting at the DCU Center in Worcester. Following Governor Baker, David Seltz, Executive Director of the Health Policy Commission, will present Impact of the Opioid Epidemic on the Health Care System in Massachusetts. Join colleagues from across the state for a thought-provoking session on how to transform a "one-size-fits-all" nursing facility into a quality living environment for all individuals, including those with complex

AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is pleased to announce that the 2017 application packets are now available online. In addition, the 2017 program calendar and submission checklist have been posted to each award level page. Please visit the Bronze, Silver or Gold application pages to download application materials specific to your respective award level to see how your center should begin preparing. Important Dates to Remember November 17 - Intent to Apply Deadline December 1 - Applications are accepted online

“There is a saying that if you do not know where you are coming from, you will never know where you are going. My geriatric patients are living pieces of history who have so much insight about life and the way it falls together. It is always a pleasure and honor taking care of them, because they have allowed me to have a future.” Before entering nursing school Latanya Marriott was almost certain she would specialize in pediatrics. It was

In memorandum S&C: 17-03-NH, dated October 24, 2016, CMS announced that it is developing an online training program for Regional Offices (RO), State Survey Agencies (SA), providers, and other stakeholders on the new federal Nursing Home Regulations. This online training will include information about Phase 1 of the regulations and will be available to all parties starting November 18, 2016. All long term care (LTC) surveyors are required to complete this training in order to be able to conduct any

Mass Senior Care Association in collaboration with Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts, developed the PATH (Post-Acute Transition Home) Tool to ensure discharges between care settings have warm handoffs, pertinent clinical information and the most comprehensive picture of the patient in real time. This tool is designed for nursing facilities to use when discharging patients to the home health setting and would ideally decrease unnecessary hospital readmissions. PLEASE NOTE: THIS WEBINAR IS FOR MASS SENIOR CARE NURSING FACILITY MEMBERS ONLY. To