News In Brief - April 9, 2014

Don’t look now, but May is just around the corner! Have you registered for Annual Conference yet?
May will be here before you know it, which means it’s time to read through our Annual Conference brochure, select all of the sessions and events you want to attend this year, and complete your online registration! If you are a Business Member, we still have exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, so check them out and make plans to join us for a conference filled with information, inspiration and fun!

ALF/RCF surveyors offer tips to avert top survey deficiency
One of the most frequently cited deficiencies on ALF/RCF surveys is 270 – Change of Condition and Monitoring. According to state surveyor Dave Mackowski, the deficiency is often cited due to falls, and facility failure to thoroughly evaluate falls, implement interventions, re-evaluate and adjust as needed. Mackowski and fellow surveyor Kristina Anderson reviewed surveyor expectations related to falls during the CBC News Hour this morning. Read their survey compliance tips and other topics discussed during the CBC News Hour.

New nursing assistant staff ratios in effect as of April 1
Oregon nursing facilities are reminded that new nursing assistant staffing ratios went into effect the first of this month. The new ratios are 1 nursing assistant per 7 residents on day shift (unchanged): 1 per 9.5 on evening shift; and 1 per 17 on night shift. Revised forms, including the Direct Care Staff Daily Report (SDS 0717) and Nursing Assistant (NA) Staff Ratio Chart (SDS 0717a) are now available on the DHS Forms website. Additional information is available in a March 4 Administrator Alert and on the Administrator Alert web page. Contact Joanne Birney, [email protected], 503.362.3510 with any questions related to the new ratios or forms.

DHS to restart data collection efforts
During the February legislation session, DHS received $100,000 of a total of $750,000 to reestablish collection and analysis of data on Oregon nursing and community based care facilities. Funds were requested through the Campaign for Seniors and People with Disabilities special purpose appropriation to fill an information gap created by cessation of such efforts in 2009 due to budget reductions. LeadingAge Oregon last week attended the first meeting of a workgroup established to help guide the effort to improve the quality of the information, which will be used for long-term care planning and education.

2014 LeadingAge Annual Award deadline April 15
We know there are plenty of examples of excellence in aging services here in Oregon, so don’t forget to nominate your innovative program or exemplary staff leaders for a 2014 LeadingAge Annual Award! Winners will be honored at the 2014 LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Nashville this October. Fill out the online entry forms before the April 15 deadline.

New National Institutes of Health web resource offers information on death and dying
The National Institutes of Health has added a new module to its Senior Health web resource that covers a myriad of issues surrounding death and dying. The candid and comprehensive sections focus on everything from what symptoms to expect and how to address them; the difference between palliative and hospice care; and the actual signs, physical and emotional, of approaching death. The web tool is a valuable resource for aging services organizations to share with families and perhaps caregivers as well. Access the End-of-Life module.

Nursing homes can enter their patient safety culture survey data into national database
Nursing homes that have administered the Nursing Home Survey on Patient Safety Culture can register and submit their data into a comparative database between now and April 21. The national database will produce comparative results that can be used to help nursing homes identify strengths and opportunities to improve their patient safety culture. Each participating nursing home receives a free individual feedback report comparing its results with the overall database.

Planning begins for 2014-2015 Employee Benefits year
The LeadingAge Oregon Employee Benefits Committee met last week to begin planning for the 2014-2015 benefits year, which begins October 1. Our USI team is negotiating at the highest levels to bring in the best renewal rates possible based on our group and experience. USI is also working to keep our members up-to-date with the Affordable Care Act and is sponsoring two webinars on Preparing for Pay or Play. You can register for the remaining webinar (April 14) on the LeadingAge Oregon website. For more information about the LeadingAge Oregon Employee Benefits program, contact Karen Nichols, [email protected] or Devri Reynolds at [email protected].

CAA class focuses on critical MDS 3.0 component
Nursing home staff looking to improve their assessments and comprehensive care planning skills are encouraged to attend our April 30 class, “Care Area Assessment Review: Conducting and Documenting a Comprehensive Assessment.” This class was added to our educational programming at the request of nursing home staff who were looking for more advanced information on this section of the MDS 3.0 assessment tool. Read more. Register for the class.