Interim final rule with comment period coming: Additional policy and regulatory revisions in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

A Press Release issued late afternoon on August 25, 2020 promises to bring “sweeping regulatory changes.”  The broad categories of this initiative are: New testing requirements for nursing homes Hospitals must report data New reporting requirements for labs Physician and pharmacist orders for tests I’ve excerpted the “high” points of this Press … Read More

[On-demand webinar] What you need to know about the MDS 3.0 for October 1, 2020

Ken BellClient News, Skilled Nursing, Training8 Comments

During this webinar, we’ll take a closer look at the updates to the MDS 3.0 Item Sets that will be used in LTC facilities beginning October 1, 2020.  We’ll also explore what the Interdisciplinary Team needs to do now to prepare for MDS Item Set completion during FY2021. [On-demand webinar] … Read More

National training program to strengthen nursing home infection control practices

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

Just announced today (August 25, 2020), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is implementing an unprecedented national nursing home training program for frontline nursing home staff and nursing home management. The training is designed to equip both frontline caregivers and their management with the knowledge they need to … Read More

National nursing home COVID-19 action network conversation series

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled Nursing4 Comments

In partnership with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Project ECHO is mobilizing our national network of ECHO partners to rapidly deploy COVID-19 ECHO programs to train mentor, and support nursing home staff on infection prevention and control. With support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality … Read More

Nursing home strategies for COVID-19 only isolation of COVID-19 residents

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

Monday, August 24, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Medicaid Informational Bulletin (CIB) that provides guidance to states on flexibilities that are available to increase reimbursement for nursing facilities that implement specific infection control practices, such as designating a quarantine or isolation wing for COVID-19 … Read More