CMS has upped the game when it comes to SNF Value-Based Purchasing. By 2028, there will be eight measures that facilities will have to perform well on to retain some or all of the 2% withhold. Providers will need to understand measures, the scoring method and health equity adjustment. This presentation will help providers get up to speed.
Listen to the latest podcast as Qsource Quality Improvement Advisors discuss the importance of obtaining a resident’s history to provide better care in nursing home facilities. Find for more great clinical topics and explore episodes as clinical experts share their knowledge and best practices.
On December 14, 2023, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to low vaccination rates against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Low vaccination rates, coupled with ongoing increases in national and international respiratory disease activity caused by multiple pathogens, including influenza viruses, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV, could lead to more severe disease and increased healthcare capacity strain in the coming weeks.
Healthcare providers should
administer influenza, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations now to patients, if recommended;
recommend antiviral medications for influenza and COVID-19 for all eligible patients, especially patients at high-risk of progression to severe disease such as older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions; and
counsel patients about testing and other preventive measures, including covering coughs/sneezes, staying at home when sick, improving ventilation at home or work, and washing hands to protect themselves and others against respiratory diseases.
TN Department of Health Updates
The Department is offering support links and educational resources for caregivers that are caring for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease. Often this can cause a variety of emotions to emerge creating a serious impact on the caregivers' mental and physical health. Taking time to care for one’s own health – physically, mentally and emotionally – will help a caregiver to have a better relationship with the resident who is affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
NHSN Updates
There have been some changes to the weekly COVID-19 vaccination HCP form along with the up-to-date definition of the COVID-19 vaccination with examples on how to count HCP. Form changes will be implemented for Quarter 1 of 2024, beginning with the reporting week of January 1, 2024-January 7, 2024.
Visit our new website at csc.qsource.org! Download resources and view training sessions on improving resident safety and quality of life.
Want to keep up with the latest news, quality improvement projects, and resources from Qsource? If your facility has a new administrator and/or DON, please send us their name, title, email address, fax number, and phone number (if not the same as the facility's main number).
