Tag: Gero Nurse Prep

New York Providers Offer COVID-19 Lessons on Resident Care

A recent report in JAMDA offers new expert consensus recommendations for managing COVID-19 in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) with a focus on addressing screening of residents and staff, management of COVID-19 positive and presumed positive cases, communication during an outbreak, management of admissions and readmissions, and giving emotional support for staff.

In “Policy Recommendations Regarding Skilled Nursing Facility Management of COVID-19: Lessons from New York State,” the authors said, “Managing COVID-19 in this setting is uniquely challenging because the SNF serves both as a home and a medical facility.”

Learn more by going to

http://www.providermagazine.com/news/Pages/2020/JULY%202020/New-York-Providers-Offer-COVID-19-Lessons-on-Resident-Care.aspx

High local COVID-19 rates put nursing homes at risk.

High county case rates and larger facility size are tied to COVID-19 outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities, according to a study from a leading operator.

Investigators from Genesis HealthCare, Brown University and Florida Atlantic University reviewed county, state and facility data from late April and early May. The study sample included 341 Genesis skilled nursing facilities in 25 states, along with more than 3,000 non-Genesis operators. Among Genesis facilities, 64 had implemented universal testing of all residents.

Researchers analyzed facility outbreaks, and (in the Genesis facilities only) the number of confirmed cases, fatalities and the effect of universal testing on case counts.

They found that higher facility bed count and COVID-19 prevalence in the surrounding county were the “most significant and consistent” predictors of large outbreaks and mortality rates among residents. In contrast, there was no consistent link between the likelihood of an outbreak and an operation’s Five-Star Quality Rating or infection control citations.

The results confirm the need for diagnostic testing access in high-risk areas, the investigators said. Federal resources should be allocated to locations where testing capacity remains limited, they added.

https://bit.ly/32LaNGw

 

Federal Help Falters as Nursing Homes Run Short of Protective Equipment

Around the country, nursing homes trying to protect their residents from the coronavirus eagerly await boxes of masks, eyewear and gowns promised by the federal government. But all too often the packages deliver disappointment — if they arrive at all.

Read the full article at https://www.managedhealthcareconnect.com/content/federal-help-falters-nursing-homes-run-short-protective-equipment

COVID-19 survey: Nursing homes’ top strategies for ‘keeping spirits up’

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News asked nursing home leaders what they were doing to “help keep spirits up” during the coronavirus pandemic and, boy, did they tell us.
Nearly 500 providers, in fact, opened up to share what their favorite coping mechanisms are.
The most popular answers culled from the McKnight’s COVID-19 flash survey last weekend involved free food for staff, dress-up or theme days, flexible work hours, and increased communication with staff members.

See more at https://bit.ly/3dRaAV2

 

Gero Nurse Prep is still on sale – but not for much longer.

Save $100 off the regular registration fee now through November 30 by using   promo code RNHERO (all caps).  AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep provides tremendous value at this AHCA/NCAL member $590 sale price.   That’s less than $20 per contact hour for outstanding nursing education that makes a measurable difference on so many fronts.

Register now and lock in the discount – then take up to 60 days to pay. For more details contact us at concne@unmc.edu

It’s National Assisted Living Week!

Established by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, National Assisted Living Week® provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and the surrounding communities to recognize the role of assisted living in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities. The annual observance encourages assisted living communities around the country to offer a variety of events and activities to celebrate the individuals they serve, as well as to help educate members of the public about this distinctive aspect of long term care.

Find out how you can participate by going to https://www.ahcancal.org/ncal/events/nalw/Pages/default.aspx/

CMS Updates PDPM Materials, Including Fresh FAQs.

In its latest guidance on the ongoing transition to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) set to occur Oct. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a number of materials for stakeholders to review, including updates to its PDPM-related frequently asked questions (FAQs).

Read Patrick Connole’s timely article on this subject at www.providermagazine.com/news

To view this CMS update go to PDPM Fresh FAQS