Free Webinar – Improving Clinical Outcomes Through Competent Gerontological Nurses.

Dr. Heidi Keeler, Director, Continuing Nursing Education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Nursing, and AHCA/NCAL staff will be presenting a webinar November 8 at 2 p.m. EST discussing the positive impact competent gerontological nurses have on key outcomes, including:
• Lower re-hospitalization rates
• Reduced use of off-label anti-psychotics
• Less use of restraints
• Higher Overall CMS 5-Star Rating
• Higher Survey 5-Star Rating
• Higher Quality-5-Star Rating
To find out more, and to register – go to http://www.longtermcareleader.com/2018/11/its-not-too-late-to-register-for.html

The real life cost of inaccurate wound documentation.

In a recent survey of wound care professionals who work in nursing homes, almost half reported observing wound documentation that was inaccurate and led to adverse patient outcomes including sepsis, gangrene, prolonged pain, transfer to ICU, amputations and even death.
In this thought provoking article, Dave Navazio reminds us of the “real life costs” of faulty documentation.

 

 

Are You Ready for PDPM?

The new CMS patient driven payment model (PDPM) takes effect October 1, 2019 for skilled nursing facilities and will dramatically change how Medicare Part A payments are determined. That change moves away from the current system that focuses heavily on therapy minutes to a system that will focus on a wide range of clinical characteristics. This transformation in payment methodology will make having competent, proactive RNs even more vital to a SNF’s financial success.

Boost Your RNs’ Clinical Care Management Skills with Gero Nurse Prep!

Thank You from the “My RN is Smarter” Team!

Thanks from (left to right) Anna Fisher, Heidi Keeler, Angie Szumlinski and David Kyllo to all the folks who attended their presentation, “My RN is Smarter than Your RN: Case Study Benefits of the Gero Nurse Prep Program” at last week’s AHCA/NCAL convention.

If you missed the presentation, you can find out more about Gero Nurse Prep by going to https://www.geronurseprep.com/ or requesting information from concne@unmc.edu.

 

Staff Competencies Session

This session provides attendees with an understanding of the key components required to construct a staff competency program as well as strategies for return demonstrations, how to evaluate the effectiveness of a program, and methods to measure staff competencies.

Join Heidi Keeler, Anna Fisher and Gail Sheridan on Wednesday October 10, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM and learn how to:

  • Construct a staff competency program
  • Appraise return demonstrations from staff
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of a staff competency program
  • Measure staff competencies

My RN is Smarter than Your RN: Case Study Benefits of the Gero Nurse Prep Program

This educational session will discuss how offering specialized training such as the Gero Nurse Prep course, aimed at preparing nurses for board certification in gerontological nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, can bolster facility competency documentation.

Join Heidi Keeler, Anna Fisher, Angie Szumlinski and David Kyllo on Monday, October 8 from 3:15 PM to4:45 PM as they discuss:

  • How ANCC credentialing and board certification in gerontological nursing can strengthen the ability to demonstrate overall clinical competence and improved resident outcomes
  • How RNs can prepare for specialized gerontological care, using resources such as the GNP program, that has a documented 96% pass rate on the ANCC certification exam
  • How using RN credentialing as a mark of clinical excellence and competency can give your company a competitive edge with referral partners, families, and residents

 

Gero Nurse Prep is going to the AHCA/NCAL Convention.

Gero Nurse Prep prepares RNs for the ANCC Board Certification exam in gerontological nursing and increases geriatric nurse competency by 24% based on pre- and post-course test scores.  Visit with Dr. Heidi Keeler at booth 1724  to learn how Gero Nurse Prep can help strengthen your clinical performance and increase reimbursements.

 

National Falls Prevention Awareness Day

September 22, 2018, the first day of fall, marks the 10th annual National Falls Prevention Awareness Day, sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA).

Falls are the leading cause of injury related emergency department visits for older adults, the major cause of hip fractures, and responsible for more than half of fatal head injuries. Numerous states and countries worldwide are now coalescing to address this growing public health issue; many are working closely with occupational therapy practitioners as key contributors to reducing falls.

This year’s theme, Take a Stand to Prevent Falls, seeks to unite professionals, older adults, caregivers, and family members to play a part in raising awareness and preventing falls in the older adult population. 48 states participated in Falls Prevention Awareness Day last year, joining more than 70 national organizations, including the American Occupational Therapy Association, other professional associations, and federal agencies that comprise the Falls Free© Initiative. If your organization participates in a falls prevention activity, please email fallsfree@ncoa.org to make sure you are counted by NCOA.

For a list of free resources, including the Falls Prevention Toolkit, go to

https://www.aota.org/fallsday