Are You Ready for a Blizzard?

With a winter storm set to wallop the Midwest this week, this seemed like a perfect time to talk about how you handle winter weather around your facility. Pam West, ProMed's Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Compliance, remembers doing the following when she was an administrator at a long-term care facility:

• Filling the rehab room with mattresses so that staff could sleep there if they couldn't get home safely
• Providing free meals to employees who were snowbound in the building (she recommends stocking up on food just in case and considering using disposable dishes)
• Sending snowmobiles and cabs to pick up staff members and bring them to the facility

Tell us - what does YOUR facility do when storms hit?

Obama Renominates Berwick to Head CMS

On Wednesday, President Obama announced that he has renominated Donald Berwick to head CMS, firmly positioning Berwick on the hot seat with many lawmakers.

Six months ago, Obama named Berwick the head of CMS during a Congressional recess, bypassing Senate confirmation hearings. The lack of confirmation hearings disappointed many Republicans - who didn't approve the appointment.

Berwick has expressed his support for Obama's Affordable Care Act. Since his recess appointment, he has been given authority over the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, the office that is charged with implementing the healthcare reforms.

To learn more, click here.

AARP Report Details How States Cope with Recession

A new report from the AARP's Public Policy Institute outlines how each state is "weathering the storm" of the recession in terms of state programs for older individuals and adults with physical disabilities.

The report found that although states have used many administrative tools to curb expenditures, the demand for publicly funded services has grown and resources are stretched thin. Thirty-one states reported cutting some non-Medicaid aging and disability services in 2010 and 28 were expecting to cut them in 2011.

To learn more and view state-by-state analyses, click here.

Texas Braces for Deep Medicaid Cuts

Nursing homes in Texas could be facing Medicaid reimbursement slashes that are almost three times higher than they were anticipating. The cuts outlined in the Texas House of Representatives' budget proposal for fiscal 2012-'13 would lower the reimbursement rate to $80 per day. The current reimbursement is less than $125 per day.

Nursing home operators in Texas contend that they are already losing money at the current reimbursement rate and that further cuts could force non-profits homes out of business. Medicaid reimbursement rates were cut by 1 percent in September, and an additional 2 percent cut will got into effect in February.

To learn more, click here.

Bye-Bye, AAHSA. Hello, LeadingAge.

It's official - AAHSA is no longer. As of today, January 25, the organization - whose members include 5,500 not-for-profit organizations - will now be known as LeadingAge. According to LeadingAge's website, the new name "reinforces our not-for-profit members' commitment not only to providing services and care, but also to leading the charge for change in the way our country views aging. LeadingAge and our members are committed to innovative practices to transform how we serve our aging population, to cutting-edge initiatives that develop services that meet older adults' needs and preferences, and to advocacy that expands the world of possibilities for aging."

To learn more about the name change, please click here.

CDC: Many Hospices Offer Alternative Therapies

A new study from the CDC found that almost half of US hospices offer some form of alternative therapy, such as massages or pet therapy, that don't fall under the rubric of standard care.

According to the study, approximately 42% percent of hospices offer alternative therapies. Of those that offer alternative therapies:

• 72 percent offer massages
• 69 percent provide group therapy
• 62 percent offer music therapy

While these therapies aren't typically covered by insurance, the CDC points out that they can significantly contribute a resident's quality of life, soothe anxiety and improve mood.

To learn more, click here.

GO BEARS!

Guess which team (most of) Team ProMed is rooting for on Sunday?

Congratulations, Mike Weckler!

Team ProMed congratulates Mike Weckler and his wife, Erica, on the birth of their son! Daniel Thomas Weckler was born January 17 and weighed in at 7 lbs., 11 oz. Mike is a receiver in ProMed's warehouse.

ProMed Debuts New Call Center

Based on the growing needs of our customers, Professional Medical is restructuring our Customer Care Department into a call center, effective February 1, 2011.

All customer calls will be routed through our 800 number, 800.648.5190. You will be prompted by the auto-attendant to press option 1 for Customer Service and be directed to the first available Customer Care Professional. Every member of our award-winning Customer Care Team is able to assist you and provide the service you have come to expect from ProMed. The ProMed call center will save your staff time by handling your order needs and offering convenient solutions the first time you call.

Study: Mixing BP Drugs and Antibiotics Can Be Dangerous for Seniors

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal is highlighting the dangers of seniors combining blood pressure drugs with antibiotics.

Specifically, older adults who take blood pressure drugs known as calcium channel blockers could experience a severe drop in blood pressure if they also take antibiotics such as erythromycin or clarithromycin. This drop in blood pressure could be serious enough to land seniors in the hospital. A third antibiotic, azithromycin, is in the same class as the other antibiotics but is not linked to the blood pressure drop. It should be selected over erythromycin and clarithromycin.

Popular calcium channel blockers include amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine and diltiazem.

To learn more, click here.

Happy NAP Week!

January 16-21 is National Activity Professionals (NAP) Week! The theme of this year's celebration is "Activities: Oceans of Possibilities!"

According to the National Association of Activity Professionals, NAP Week was created to recognize the contributions of activity professionals in all adult communities.

To download the 2011 NAP Week packet, which includes celebration ideas and a letter encouraging administrators to honor the week, click here.

FDA Seeks to Limit Acetaminophen Strength in Prescription Drugs

On January 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified healthcare professionals that it has asked drug manufacturers to limit the strength of acetaminophen in prescription drugs to 325 mg per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit. According to the FDA, this action was taken to help curtail the severe liver damage and allergic reactions that can be caused by acetaminophen.

A boxed warning will also be added to the label of any prescription drug product that contains acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen is commonly used in both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications to reduce pain and fever. OTC medications are not affected by this action because information regarding the potential for liver damage is already required to be on the labels for OTC medications containing acetaminophen.

To learn more, click here.

Al Wiggs Named ProMed's VP of Sales

Team ProMed congratulates Al Wiggs on being named our new Vice President of Sales. In this role, Al will dedicate himself to continuing to build upon ProMed’s successful sales culture and instilling our shared vision.

"I am proud to announce the promotion of Al Wiggs. Al's achievements have earned him this promotion and I am glad to be able to recognize and reward his contributions,” said CEO Matt Barnes. “Al has worked very hard to build our sales team. He inspires me with his passion and leadership every day."

During the past year, Al has worked tirelessly to help our sales team implement the Hunt Big Sales approach. This strategy encourages salespeople to focus on landing “whales,” or accounts that are 10 to 20 times the size of a company’s average account.

According to Hunt Big Sales Founder Tom Searcy, "Al is the most dedicated student of the HBS System that I have ever had. It is no surprise to me that ProMed is the fastest adopter and has already landed four whales under Al's management and Matt's leadership. The promotion recognizes his hard work and attainment of goals. Congratulations!"

Matt also commends Al for his dedication, wisdom, integrity, compassion, leadership and drive, all of which will certainly help ensure his success in his new position. 

Congratulations, Al!

New Courses Added to Compliance Continuing Education Program

By popular request, we've recently added new courses to our Compliance Continuing Education Program! The program covers more than 20 wide-ranging categories and the courses are appropriate for the majority of your nursing staff, including nurses, CNAs and licensed nursing home administrators.

Click here or talk to your ProMed territory manager to learn more.

Congratulations, Ross Kuns!

Team ProMed congratulates Territory Manager Ross Kuns and his wife, Jamie, on their new addition! Selah Rose Kuns was born on January 11, 2011 at 8:11 a.m. and weighed in at 8 lbs., 11 oz. She is welcomed home by siblings Daniel, James, John, Joshua, Matthew and Jasmine.

Congratulations, Ross!

Study: Nursing Home Closures Clustered in Poor, Urban Areas

A new study out of Brown University has found that nursing homes in poor, urban areas have been hit especially hard over the past 10 years.

Between 1999 and 2008, nursing homes were most likely to close in predominantly black and Hispanic areas and nonhospital nursing homes were twice as likely to close in the poorest ZIP codes.

As a result, many poor and urban people have reduced access to long-term care. When these people do choose to enter a nursing home, their family members often have farther to travel to visit them.

To learn more, click here.

Urgent Triad Group Product Recall

Professional Medical, Inc. recently received notification of a voluntary product recall involving ALL LOTS of ALCOHOL PREP PADS, ALCOHOL SWABS and ALCOHOL SWABSTICKS manufactured by the Triad Group. This recall involves both products marked as sterile and non-sterile products.

This recall has been initiated due to customer concerns about potential contamination of the products with an objectionable organism that may or may not be related to Triad's manufacture of these products. Triad is, out of an abundance of caution, recalling these lots and revalidating their production lines to ensure that they are not the source of these contamination issues.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

Please examine all storage rooms, med rooms, med carts and treatment carts and inform nurses to be aware of the issue at hand.

Affected items might be listed under the following three item numbers from ProMed:
• 500-P200A-L
• 500-P100
• 500-TW100A

If you are ProMed customer, please take the following steps whether you have the products subject to recall in your possession or not:
1. Quarantine the affected product, if applicable
2. Email Pam West, VP of Clinical and Regulatory Compliance, at pwest@promedsupply.com for a Product Recall Acknowledgement Form.

Upon notification from the Triad Group of replacement details, Professional Medical will contact you with further instructions.

If replacement product is needed immediately, ProMed’s Compliance® Alcohol Prep Pads (600-P200A) are available and not affected by this recall.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause you and your staff. Please be assured that we are here to help. If you have any questions, we invite you to contact our Customer Relations Department at 800-648-5190.

Tablet Splitting: Inaccurate and Dangerous?

A new study published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that the common practice of tablet splitting can be both inaccurate and dangerous.

According to the study, more than a third of split tablets deviate from their recommended dosage by 15 percent or more. This is especially dangerous when dealing with medications that have a narrow margin between therapeutic and toxic doses.

The study's authors are calling on manufacturers to produce more dose options and liquid alternatives to make tablet splitting unnecessary.

To learn more, click here.

Congratulations, Lindsey and Chris!

Congratulations to Team ProMed members Lindsey Rolando and Chris Baron on their recent engagement! Lindsey is a Pricing Analyst and Chris is a picker in our warehouse.

IDSA Releases First MRSA Treatment Guidelines

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) has released its first guidelines for battling methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The infection is responsible for about 60 percent of skin infections seen in emergency rooms. Each year, invasive MRSA kills an estimated 18,000 people.

The guidelines are intended to help standardize treatment for the infection, which currently varies widely. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics to treat MRSA can contribute to drug resistance, and the guidelines note that uncomplicated skin infections can be treated without antibiotics. The guidelines also call for the development of more sophisticated antibiotics to treat invasive MRSA.

To learn more, click here.

CMS: Dialysis Pay-for-Performance Rule Effective February 4

On December 29, CMS issued a final rule that establishes a pay-for-performance program for dialysis facilities. The program will go into effect on February 4.

The rule outlined performance standards, scoring methodology and payment reductions (of up to 2 percent) for facilities whose performance isn't in line with the standards.

Eligible dialysis centers will be evaluated using their 2010 performance. Payment adjustments will be applied to Medicare in 2012.

To learn more, click here.

New Treatment Program Helps Reduce Panic, Anxiety

People who suffer from panic disorders could benefit from a new treatment program that has been proven to reduce both panic and hyperventilation, according to a new study.

The treatment program is known as Capnometry-Assisted Respiratory Training, or CART. It helps patients learn to breathe in a way that reverses hyperventilation, a state of excessive breathing that is common in people with panic disorders.

Patients undergoing CART treatment perform simple breathing exercises twice a day. During the exercises, a portable capnometer provides feedback on the patient's carbon dioxide levels. The CART breathing exercises encourage patients to breathe slower and more shallowly to reduce chronic and acute hyperventilation and associated physical symptoms. Contrary to popular belief, taking deep breaths can actually make hyperventilation and associated symptoms worse.

To learn more, click here.