Significant Change of Status: Updates to the Quality Measures, Staffing, and 5-Star Without Section G
With section G’s removal from MDS 3.0 v1.18.11, the residual implications are far-reaching. On Sept. 20th. CMS released QSO-23-21-NH describing these significant changes. Along with this memo, CMS released updated versions of the 5-Star User’s Guide and the Quality Measures User’s Manual detailing the specific technical specifications of the quality measures and staffing star calculations. In this presentation, we will break these revisions apart so you will walk away with a better understanding of what to expect as these changes take effect.
Join us on Tuesday, December 12th at 11 am CST/12 pm EST for a session with Joel VanEaton BSN, RN, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA on Significant Change of Status: Updates to the Quality Measures, Staffing, and 5-star Without Section G.
Staffing in nursing homes has a significant impact on the quality of care and outcomes residents experience. Although staffing has always been problematic for nursing homes at some level, the impact of COVID-19 has been substantial. These tools were designed to assist nursing home leadership in recruiting and hiring the right people as well as training and retaining those staff members once they are on board.
On September 20, 2023, CMS issued QSO-23-21-NH Updates to Nursing Home Care Compare Staffing and Quality Measures. CMS will be removing the CMS-672 form due to the removal of Section G MDS data. Additionally, CMS is revising the staffing rating methodology so providers that fail to submit staffing data will receive the lowest score possible for corresponding staffing turnover measures.
Recommendation from their healthcare professional is the strongest predictor of whether an individual gets vaccinated. Discussion of the importance of vaccination is a team effort. For more information on making a strong vaccine recommendation, please visit Long-Term Care Facilities: Viral Respiratory Pathogens Toolkit.
TN Department of Health Updates
TDH has 16 CIC-certified Infection Preventionists assigned regionally that can provide support, guidance, and perform consultative assessments of your facility's infection prevention program. Please get in touch with HAI.Health@tn.gov for more information.
NHSN Updates
CDC and NHSN strongly encourage facilities to update HCP influenza vaccination summary monthly for the greatest impact on influenza vaccination activities. The NHSN HPS Flu Vaccine Protocol guidance for healthcare facilities to report HCP influenza vaccination summary data from October 1 through March 31, which includes all influenza vaccinations administered during the influenza season at the facility or elsewhere, influenza vaccine declinations, and determinations of a medical contraindication to influenza vaccination.
Alliant Health Solutions Updates
As we enter the flu season, Alliant Health Solutions provides facilities with a great PowerPoint resource to provide education on the importance of being vaccinated. Click the link below to download the resource: Resident and Family Council: The Importance of Vaccines for Older Adults. Please use this slide deck with notes to provide education on vaccinations to your Resident and Family Council.
Listen and Learn
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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).
