COVID-19 Related Topics
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, lots of people worldwide have found themselves staying home from work in an effort to slow the spread …
Beginning Thursday, May 14, facilities must make daily reports to the CDPH that include the following information:
Suspected and confirmed COVID-19 infections among residents and staff, …
We are now at week six of shelter-in-place orders. The crisis is no longer new and the end has no date. On a good day, …
Five weeks of shelter-in-place orders for COVID-19 are taking their toll. The isolation from family and friends, coupled with the lack of socialization with others, …
As a nursing home first responder, do you feel like the entire world has been turned upside down and landed on your shoulders? As you …
Trauma-Informed Care
While we don’t know exactly how the surveyors will assess compliance with the Trauma-Informed Care requirements, being prepared demonstrates an intent to comply and may …
The
Mega Rule 3 requirement for trauma-informed care goes into effect November 28, 2019. This regulation reflects the importance of compassion and empathy when we assess …
Over the course of lives, many older people have experienced one or more potentially traumatic events. The impact of trauma can continue to affect …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has not proposed to delay implementation of Phase 3 requirements for culturally competent and trauma-informed care. Are …
In the United States, 61 percent of men and 51 percent of women report exposure to at least one lifetime traumatic event. Nursing homes are …
Regulation Trainings and Information
Skilled nursing facilities must take the following steps to comply.
Nursing homes now must provide verbal and written notice to residents, including new admissions, when the …
PDPM assures that the Resident Care Plan is patient-centered with a focus on early intervention, patient involvement and an eye toward discharge. It shifts the focus of MediCare reimbursement …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule on Long-Term Care Facility Requirements allowing Arbitration Agreements (84 Fed. Reg. 34718) last month. …
On July 16, 2019 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed rule, “Medicare & Medicaid Programs; Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities: …
On January 1, 2019, California’s SB 1152 went into effect. This law requires hospitals to modify their current hospital discharge policies by including a …
Residents in long-term care facilities often have conditions that require treatment with psychotropic medications. Informed consent ensures the resident is aware of the facts about …
Survey Issues
Phase 3 Regulations went live on 11/28/2019. However, it will be several months before CMS releases any guidance on the new requirements. In a memo …
Our Consultants in California have provided the following information regarding recent facility surveys
Surveyors:
6 surveyors, including one trainee and one Pharmacist, x4 days.Surveyors tended to …
A recent Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center study shed light on the impact of social service staff in nursing homes. The study found that increasing …
Resident Rights
Do you know what is cultural competency is?
The Mega Rule 3 requirement for Trauma-informed care requires that trauma survivors receive culturally competent trauma-informed care.
According to …
Resident rights is the largest section of the Mega Rule. It guides the facility on providing quality of care and quality of life for our residents. …
Residents in long-term care facilities often have conditions that require treatment with psychotropic medications. Informed consent ensures the resident is aware of the facts about …
Social services are required to be part of a facility-initiated discharge or transfer (see F-Tag 745) to help ensure resident needs are taken care of …
Persistent pain is an unfortunate reality for many nursing home residents. Compared to young to middle-aged adults, older adults are especially vulnerable to the debilitating …
Theft is an unfortunate reality in many nursing homes. Nursing home residents are often the target of theft because they have difficulty detecting and reporting …
Behavior, Dementia, and Psychotropic Medications
1. Define clear expectations
Many residents cannot cognitively process or remember what we have told them. However, residents who are manipulative DO display an ability or …
Persistent pain is an unfortunate reality for many nursing home residents. Compared to young to middle-aged adults, older adults are especially vulnerable to the debilitating …
The Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as “a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.” A common …
Downloadable Version
There are a number of behavior problems that sometimes accompany Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. These behaviors may include resistance, wandering, agitation, incontinence, …
Downloadable Version
Reassess: Is there a physical problem, UTI, constipation, pain, etc.?
Reconsider: Is the behavior truly a problem to the resident or just to staff?
Rechannel: Can …