Preparation is key to reducing 30-day readmission rates and decreasing avoidable trips to the emergency department (ED). How do you get started? In today's episode, we discuss preparations your facility can make to lay the groundwork for success. This is the second of a two-part discussion on reducing 30-day readmissions and avoidable ED trips. Listen to “Reducing 30-Day Readmissions and Avoidable Emergency Department Trips (Part 1)" here. Related links: View video recording of this webinar Down...
Dec 08, 2022•29 min
Your facility wants to reduce 30-day readmission rates and decrease avoidable trips to the emergency department (ED). How do you get started? In today's webinar, we’ll discuss preparations your facility can make to lay the groundwork for success. This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion on reducing 30-day readmissions and avoidable ED trips. Related links: View video recording of this webinar Download presentation slides Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.qualityinsights.org/q...
Dec 01, 2022•22 min
What’s the latest COVID-19 guidance that nursing home workers need to know? In today’s episode, we’ll discuss recent updates on testing, quarantining, and more. This episode is a rebroadcast of our webinar on Oct. 19, 2022. Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia . Related links: Watch a video recording of the episode View the presentation slides This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Or...
Nov 24, 2022•15 min
Nursing homes have faced a number of guidance updates in recent months. In today's episode, we discuss the guidelines for temporary nurse aides (TNAs), as well as Phase 3 updates for Training and Services. Related links: View the video recording Download slides for RoP Phase 3 - Services Review Download slides for RoP Phase 3 - Training Review Nov. 3 Letter on TNAs Login Instructions for Temporary Nurse (Credentia) Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Candidate Handbook (Credentia) Survey Resources (Download...
Nov 18, 2022•28 min
Guidelines have changed for long-term care facilities with the recent update of State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix PP. In today's episode, we'll discuss some of those Federal Tag changes relating to opioids and substance use disorder. We're joined by Pam Meador, Director of Regulatory Services for the West Virginia Health Care Association. Related links: View the video recording Download the presentation slides Appendix PP of State Operations Manual Check out our other interviews by visiting...
Nov 11, 2022•26 min
Have hiring and retention woes created barriers to the quality of work in your nursing home? You don't have to navigate these challenges alone! Quality Insights will soon be offering a course, "Staffing Solutions for Nursing Homes." In today's episode, resource specialist Amy Porter discusses the current state of nursing home staffing, details about the course (including benefits, continuing education credits, and timeline), and steps you can take to enroll. To contact Amy, email aporter@quality...
Nov 03, 2022•26 min
Does your nursing home have an Emergency Preparedness Plan – and does it meet the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)? In this discussion, we review what nursing homes need to know about CMS' standards, including the Final Rule and State Operations Manual Appendix Z. We'll also share resources to help assess your facility's plan. We're joined by Penny Imes, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Penny directly, you can ...
Oct 28, 2022•26 min
What’s the latest COVID-19 guidance that nursing home workers need to know? In today’s episode, we’ll discuss recent updates on testing, quarantining, and more. We're joined by Jennifer Brown, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Jennifer directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and ext 9864. You can also contact her via email at jbrown@qualityinsights.org . Related links: Watch a video recording of the episode View the presentation slides Che...
Oct 21, 2022•14 min
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon be revising its Critical Element Pathways, including its pathways for infection prevention. In this episode, we give an overview CMS' Critical Element Pathways for infection prevention, and also discuss how to utilize these pathways to prevent facility-acquired infections — resulting in reduced hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits. We're joined by Cindy Wandling, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. ...
Oct 14, 2022•13 min
One of the most effective interventions to prevent multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in nursing homes are Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP). In today's episode, we discuss an overview of EBP — including a history of MDROs; who's at risk for infection; the rationale for EBP; and guidelines for implementing EBP. We're joined by Cindy Wandling, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Cindy directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and ext 3235. ...
Oct 07, 2022•15 min
In this first episode of COVID in WV, we spoke with LaKeisha Barron-Brown of Charleston, West Virginia. LaKeisha lost her 21-year-old son, Jon’Tavese O’mari Brown in October 2021 to COVID-19. Lakeisha spoke with us a few weeks ago to share his story and her own story. COVID in WV is a podcast series by Quality Insights for Project WAVE: West Virginians Advocating for Vaccination Empowerment. Project WAVE is funded through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Publ...
Sep 30, 2022•24 min
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has recently revised its definition of "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccinations. In this episode, we review the new definition as well as other recent changes to NHSN's person-level or event-level vaccination forms. We're joined by Debra Wright, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and ext 7636. You can also contact her via email at dwright@qualityinsight...
Sep 30, 2022•23 min
The SBAR communication technique — which stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation — is the gold standard for sharing information in medical settings. So what does SBAR look like in action and how can it be used to improve health outcomes? In today's episode, we discuss and demonstrate how SBAR can be used for infection control in long-term care facilities. We're joined by Patty Austin, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Patty directly...
Sep 22, 2022•20 min
People who work in long-term care know that staff vaccinations are key to stopping the spread of viruses like influenza. But how do you increase vaccination rates in your facility? Fellowship Community infection preventionist Audrey Fernald joins us to share how her facility successfully increased staff vaccination rates. Click here to watch a video recording of this episode . Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia . This material was prepared by Quality In...
Sep 15, 2022•16 min
How can technology help skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) enhance quality of care and improve resident outcomes? In today's episode, Chris Gerace Johnson of Real Time Medical Systems joins us to discuss how their software solution — which is free for SNFs — can automate infection control surveillance, identify gaps in documentation, and more. Click here to watch a video recording of this episode . Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia . This material was p...
Sep 09, 2022•22 min
Moving into the fall months, long-term care facilities must prepare for an increase in COVID-19 and flu cases. What can your facility do to keep staff and residents healthy? In today's episode, we discuss the importance of reporting symptoms and getting influenza and COVID-19 vaccines — and how to support members in your health care team who may have vaccine hesitancy. We're joined by Jennifer Brown, Quality Improvement Specialist and Infection Preventionist at Quality Insights. To contact Jenni...
Sep 02, 2022•12 min
Listen to this podcast to get a Delaware pharmacist's perspective about the Medication Therapy Management program being offered by the Delaware Pharmacists Society. This program is available to Delaware health care practices at NO COST.
Sep 01, 2022•32 min
Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated the staffing rating methodology for its Five-Star Quality Rating System for Nursing Homes. What are the changes and how do they affect nursing homes' ratings on CMS's Care Compare website? We'll break it down in today's webinar discussion. We're joined by guest speaker Pam Meador, Director of Regulatory Services with the West Virginia Healthcare Association. This webinar included a slideshow presentation. Click here to wa...
Aug 26, 2022•32 min
When you've identified a problem in your facility as well as the root of its cause, how do you create a course of action to correct it? In this final discussion in our three-part series on the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process, we'll talk about how to make lasting change using the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) method. We're joined by Patty Austin, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-8...
Aug 18, 2022•25 min
So you've identified a problem you'd like to fix using the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) process. Now what? In this second episode of our three-part series on the QAPI process, we discuss how to use a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to do just that: get to the root of the cause. We're joined by Patty Austin, a quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7633. You c...
Aug 11, 2022•22 min
To give residents the highest level of care, nursing homes need to course-correct when problems occur – or identify problems before an adverse event can occur. One way to achieve sustained improvement is the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process. For the next three episodes, we’ll do a deep-dive on the QAPI process with animated examples and discussion. In this episode, we focus on the brainstorming stage. We're joined by Patty Austin, a quality improvement specialist at Q...
Aug 04, 2022•24 min
Methods to prevent and treat COVID-19 are changing almost as quickly as the virus evolves new variants. What is the status of COVID-19 variants, vaccines, and therapeutics today? In today's episode, we'll get up to speed on the latest information. This episode features a presentation by Krista D. Capehart, Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Director of the Wigner Institute for Advanced Pharmacy Practice, Education and Research at West Virginia University School of Phar...
Jul 29, 2022•49 min
In recent weeks, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced updates to Phase 2 and 3 of the Federal Rule. We highlight and clarify the upcoming changes in today’s episode, as well as share information on training for the updates. We're joined by Penny Imes, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Penny directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7644. You can also contact her via email at pimes@qu...
Jul 22, 2022•24 min
In recent months, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) updated its pathway data reporting for long-term care facilities. In today's episode, we'll review the changes along with some example scenarios. We're joined by Debra Wright, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Debra directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 ext 7636. You can also contact her via email at dwright@qualityinsights.org . Related links in this episode: - CDC COVID-19...
Jul 14, 2022•19 min
What does it mean to be "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccines? The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) recently revised its definition to align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In today's episode, we discuss the new definition along with scenario examples. We're joined by Debra Wright, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Debra directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 ext 7636. You can also cont...
Jul 07, 2022•18 min
Tuberculosis hides in plain sight. The risk of TB infection is even higher for people who live or work in nursing homes. In this week's episode, we discuss what health care workers should know about TB and how to prevent infections. We’re joined by Liz Dauch Corporate Infection Preventionist with Stonerise Healthcare in West Virginia. You can watch a video version of this episode here . Download a copy of the slideshow here . Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/mul...
Jun 30, 2022•19 min
Are your residents up-to-date with their pneumococcal vaccinations? Should they receive PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, or PPSV23 — and when? In today's episode, we break down the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSVs). We’re joined by Debra Wright, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Debra directly, you can call her at 1-800-642-8686 ext 7636. Y...
Jun 23, 2022•14 min
Guidance updates affecting nursing homes have rolled out in recent weeks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH). In this week's episode, we'll get up to speed on the latest guidance on COVID-19 boosters, temporary nurse aides (TNAs), and PA DOH's therapeutics form. We’re joined by Penny Imes, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Penny d...
Jun 16, 2022•18 min
The persistent symptoms of long COVID can be frustrating and can lead to even further pain and injury. In today’s episode, we discuss quality measures that can be adopted to prevent patients with Long COVID from further suffering. We’re joined by Patty Austin, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7633. You can also contact her via email at paustin@qualityinsights.org . C...
Jun 09, 2022•16 min
Long COVID symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and cognitive issues can lead to further injury, such as falls. In today’s episode, we discuss quality measures that should be strengthened to prevent patients with Long COVID from further suffering. We’re joined by Patty Austin, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7633. You can also contact her via email at paustin...
Jun 02, 2022•15 min
