Big Changes Coming in July to Nursing Home Compare

Starting in July, Medicare.gov's Nursing Home Compare page will be undergoing some major changes. Visitors will now be able to view:

• The number of substantiated complaints received
• The number of enforceable actions that have been imposed (such as civil monetary payments or denials of payment for new admission)

These are just two of the changes that the site will see in the coming months. Other planned additions include:

• Adjustments to allow consumers to more easily file complaints against nursing homes with state survey agencies (links to state complaint websites will be added and state fax and phone numbers will become more prominent)
• A more visible "consumer rights" section
• The addition of a standardized complaint form for consumers who want to file a complaint by fax

To learn more, click here.

The Compliance Continuing Education Program is Growing!

We've just added four new courses for licensed nursing home administrators to our popular Compliance Continuing Education (CCE) Program! The CCE 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.


The CCE Program's current offerings include:

• 52 courses geared toward nurses with 62 available CEUs
• 30 courses for CNAs, including eight streaming video courses on the topic of nurse aide skills
• 13 advanced CNA courses
• 11 courses for licensed nursing home administrators with 12 available CEUs

The courses can be completed anywhere your staff members have Internet access. Contact your ProMed territory manager to learn more - and be sure to ask about our money-saving payment options!

FDA: Anemia Drugs Tied to Cardiovascular Problems

The FDA is recommending more conservative dosing guidelines for Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents, or ESAs, when the drugs are used to treat anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. These drugs can lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke, thrombosis and death.

The modified recommendations will be added to the Boxed Warning and other sections of the drug packaging  insert. According to the CDC, more than 20 million people over the age of 20 have chronic kidney disease.

To learn more, click here.

St. Joseph's Home Gets Motors Runnin' for a Good Cause

St. Joseph's Home in Lacon, Illinois (a ProMed customer!) got all revved up for a fundraiser this past weekend. The Ride for St. Joseph's Home was a poker run organized and attended by motorcyclists.

The Catholic sisters at St. Joseph's home donned souvenir T-shirts over their traditional habits and posed for pictures on the seats on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The funds raised by the poker run will be used for various improvements and renovations around the facility.

The Peoria Journal-Star has a great article on the fundraiser along with multiple pictures. To view their article, click here.

Study: Satisfaction Tops Pay as Reason for CNA Turnover

If you think it's the almighty dollar that's leading CNAs to leave their jobs, think again. A new study points to job satisfaction and emotional well-being as being bigger factors in turnover than pay.

The participants in the study were placed in one of three categories:

• Stayers: CNAs who held the same job a year after the survey
• Leavers: CNAs who left the LTC industry altogether
• Switchers: CNAs who spent 30 hours a week in the role but switched to another facility a year after the survey

The researchers found that leavers were more likely than switchers to cite health problems as the reason for leaving a facility. Switchers, on the other hand, were more likely than leavers to quit their jobs to pursue other opportunities. Switchers were more likely than stayers to report feeling emotional distress, lower job satisfaction and less respect for their supervisors, even though the two groups were similar in terms of paid leave and health insurance.

The researchers also discovered a leave-the-LTC-setting rate of 5.85 percent and leave-to-another-facility rate of 8.4 percent.

To learn more, click here.

Study: LTC Liability Costs are Up, But Frequency is Down

According to a new study from Aon Corp. and the American Health Care Association (AHCA), long-term care liability costs are being driven up by a 4 percent annual increase in the average claim size.

Between 2005 and 2010, the average liability claim jumped from $125,000 to $153,000. Even though the that number has gone up, the frequency of liability claims has actually gone down (from 1.1 percent in 2003 to 0.9 percent in 2010). That figure is expected to drop even farther in 2011.

The researchers cautioned that jump in claim size outweighs the reduction in claim frequency.

To learn more, click here.

Sepsis Skyrockets among the Elderly

In the last decade, hospitalizations for sepsis have more than doubled - and two thirds of those cases were in people 65 and older, according to researchers at the CDC.

Sepsis is caused when bacteria from an infection in the skin, lungs, abdomen or urinary tracts seeps into the blood stream. It can quickly become life threatening, with almost 20 percent of patients over 65 dying at the hospital.

The CDC researchers also found that sepsis rates climbed quickly as people aged. For example, hospitalization for sepsis among 80-year-olds was 30 times higher than for people under the age of 65.

The researchers noted that their discoveries emphasize the need for immediately treating suspected blood infections with broad-spectrum antibiotics rather than waiting for a firm diagnosis.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Average Drug Label Lists 70 Side Effects

If reading the side effects listed on your drug labels makes your head spin, you're not alone. Researchers have found that the average drug label lists a whopping 70 potential side effects, but some contain up to 525!

In general, medications used by psychiatrists and neurologists (such as antidepressants) had the most complex labels, while drugs used by dermatologists and opthamologists had the least.

The researchers pointed out that many times possible interactions are listed on a label in order to protect the drug manufacturer from potential lawsuits - but they also make it difficult for physicians who are weighing the pros and cons of prescribing drugs to their patients.

The FDA has taken steps to discourage "overwarning" on labels, but information overload is still abundant. The researchers suggested that modern technology be utilized to create more streamlined labels that deliver personalized patient information. For example, these labels could highlight specific potential side effects that a patient should be most concerned about in light of their individual medical conditions.

To learn more, click here.

CMS Using Technology to Crack Down on Fraud and Abuse

CMS announced on Friday that they are abandoning their current "pay and chase" fraud recovery system in favor of new technology that can help identify potentially fraudulent claims before they are paid.

The new system, which goes into effect July 1, utilizes predictive modeling technolgy used by credit card companies to spot fraudulent activity. The new process will analyze CMS claims by beneficiary, provider, service origin or other patterns to identify and sent alerts of potential problems.

To learn more, click here.

Fewer Medicare Patients Dying after High-Risk Surgeries

Here's some good news to kick off your weekend: A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that more Medicare patients are surviving high-risk surgeries.

The researchers took a look at data related to eight different cancer and cardiovascular surgeries over the course of 10 years: abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, carotid endarterectomy and surgeries to treat cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, lung and bladder.

The researchers saw the steepest decline in death in AAAs (down 36 percent between 2000 and 2008), which they attributed to improved imaging technology. They also noted that while fewer hospitals are performing these surgeries, the ones that are performing them are doing them more often and gaining valuable experience in treating high-risk patients. Other improved patient safety measures, such as operating-room checklists, outcomes-measurement and feedback programs were also hailed for their contributions.

To learn more, click here.

Happy National Nurse Assistant Week!

National Nurse Assistant Week starts today! The theme of this year's celebration is "New Roles, New Goals." The first day of the week is designated as National Career Assistants' Day to honor nursing assistants who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of others.

We published an article titled "Celebrate Your CNAs" in the latest issue of Embrace magazine. If your ProMed territory manager has dropped off your copy of Embrace, be sure to check it out! You can also download a copy of it here. We hope it helps inspire your celebration this week.

Study: Childhood Emotional Abuse Tied to Sleep Problems in Seniors

Researchers have found that individuals who endured emotional abuse from their parents as children are more likely to have sleep problems in old age.

The researchers theorize that emotional abuse as children can keep people from developing supportive social relationships later on in life and limit their ability to fend for themselves emotionally. This can lead to additional emotional distress and negatively impact the quality of sleep that a person experiences later on in life. Reported sleep problems included difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up too early or not feeling refreshed after sleep.

The researchers said that examples of emotional abuse could include a parent swearing at a child, ignoring the child, stomping out of a room, sulking or knocking over or smashing objects.

To learn more, click here.

ProMed Independence Day Closing

ProMed will be closed on Monday, July 4 in honor of Independence Day. All normal Monday deliveries will be made on Tuesday, July 5. Customers who typically order on Monday for Tuesday delivery should place their orders by Friday, July 1 at noon.

If you have any questions at all, we invite you to contact our Customer Care Department at (800) 648-5190.

Bad News for Some Nursing Home Programs Included in "Obamacare"

According to a former Medicare administrator, it's likely that two programs included in the Affordable Care Act (AKA "Obamacare") will remain unfunded.

Those programs, an initiative to monitor for-profit nursing home chains and a push for electronic health records in nursing homes, could be doomed by the current budgetary environment in Congress. Other components of "Obamacare" are already feeling the pinch.

To learn more, click here.

Livin' On a Prayer?

University of Massachusetts researchers found that the number of people who are praying about their health jumped six percent over the space of five years (from 43 percent in 2002 to 49 percent in 2007). The number has surged since 1999, when only 14 percent of people reported praying about their health.

The study found that women, African Americans, older and married people and those who have had a change in health status are most likely to pray about their health. People with higher incomes and those who exercise regularly were less likely to do so.

The researchers note that nursing homes and other healthcare facilities might want to take these findings into consideration when pondering the future of their chaplaincy programs.

To learn more, click here.

Achoo! Tips for Keeping Seasonal Allergies in Check at Your Facility

We're in the throes of allergy season - something you don't need to be reminded of if you're one of the estimated 60 million people in the U.S. who suffer from seasonal allergies. I recently came across an article from Prevention that listed some less-obvious things that can aggravate allergies and wanted to share a few of them in case they could bring your residents - or you! - some relief.

For starters, medications (such as histamines) should be taken a few weeks before the sufferer will be exposed to allergens. These medications work best when started proactively rather than after allergies have already kicked in. It's also important not to skip nighttime doses of the medication. Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, weepy eyes and runny noses peak in the morning hours, and taking medication before bed ensures that it will be circulating in your bloodstream when you wake. (If you're worried about being able to fall asleep, choose regular instead of non-drowsy medication.)

If your residents are sniffling in bed, you might want to crank up the heat on your facility's washing machine. A study in South Korea found that laundering cotton sheets in 140-degree water killed 100 percent of dust mites, compared to warm 104-degree water, which killed just 6.5 percent of them.

Houseplants can liven up a resident's room, but they can also set off sniffling. According to a Belgian study, more than 75 percent of people who have hay fever are also allergic to at least one common houseplant, such as ficus, yucca, ivy, palm, orchid and fern varieties.

Last but not least, hay fever sufferers might benefit from changing their clothes and taking a quick bath or shower after being outside for a while. Hidden pollen particles can cling to to your body, hair, clothes and shoes, causing allergy symptoms to persist indoors.

To learn more, click here.

No Laughing Matter: Prominent Laugh Lines and Wrinkles on Women Could Indicate Lower Bone Density

Could it be possible for women to tell if they have brittle bones just by looking in the mirror? According to a new study out of Yale, the answer is...maybe.

While experts caution that more research is needed to verify the results, the study found a connection between lower bone density and wrinklier skin in postmenopausal. If additional studies uncover a similar result, it might be possible for doctors for identify women who are at a greater risk of fractures without depending upon costly tests.

Skin and bones share common building blocks - collagens. As people age, collagens can account for age-related skin changes as well as contribute to bone deterioration.

To learn more, click here.

States Eye 2012 Medicaid Cuts

As the U.S. goes through what feels like a painfully slow economic recovery, nearly all states are planning to enact Medicaid cuts for fiscal year 2012 as part of an effort to battle bloated budgets.

Among the actions that states are planning to take:

• 33 states have proposed lowering provider rates to nursing homes, hospitals and physicians
• 16 states have floated provider payment freezes
• 25 states will likely introduce benefit limits
• Limiting spending on prescription drugs
• Enacting or increasing existing copayments

To learn more, click here.

CMS Proposed Rule: Make Medicare Data Available to Providers

CMS has issued a new proposed rule that would allow qualified organizations to access patient-protected Medicare data. The goal of this move is to help consumers find high-quality care and help providers offer it, according to the agency.

The data would be combined with private-sector claims data to determine which providers offer quality, cost-effective care. CMS would also - for a fee - standardize Medicare Parts A, B and D data for organizations that are able to process it and use it for evaluating provider and supplier performance.

Reports that are released to the public would only contain aggregated information. Individual patient records would not be released.

Click here to read the rule.

A Taste of Embrace

Have you visited the Embrace magazine website yet? Each time we publish a new issue of the magazine, we update the site with sneak peeks at that issue's articles. If you're a ProMed customer, you can also subscribe to the magazine (it's complimentary) while you're visiting the site!

Here's a look at one of this issue's articles. To read the entire story, subscribe or contact your ProMed territory manager for a copy of the magazine! We also recently created a Facebook page for Embrace. Users who "like" the page can stay up-to-date on future issues of the magazine and learn about exclusive Web-only articles!

Where is Latex Lurking?
Tips and considerations for creating a safer environment

By Laura Kuhn

Close your eyes. Now, picture a product in your facility that contains latex. What are you picturing? Chances are, you've conjured up an image of gloves. While latex and gloves seem to go hand in hand – pun intended - latex can also lurk in some unexpected places and be a serious problem for people with latex allergies.

What's the problem with latex, anyhow?
Natural rubber latex is manufactured using a milky fluid that comes from the rubber tree. When people have latex allergies, their immune systems mistakenly think that proteins found in natural rubber latex are harmful substances. This can lead to allergic reactions ranging from sneezing and skin rashes to anaphylaxis.1

Latex sensitivity can be caused by either direct contact with latex or inhalation of latex particles. Products that are made of latex can shed latex particles, which then become airborne. This is especially common with latex gloves.1 Even powder-free latex gloves can contain a small amount of residual powder that is released into the air when gloves are pulled on and off.

It is estimated that between 1 and 6 percent of the general population is sensitized to latex.2 Roughly 8 to 12 percent of healthcare workers have a latex sensitivity, partly because of frequent exposure to latex.

The costs related to latex allergy are staggering. It can cost between $5,000 and $25,000 to treat just one anaphylactic episode resulting from a latex allergy. On average, the overall cost to treat latex allergy is estimated at $218,000 per employee.3 There is no "cure” for latex allergy.

Other latex-containing products
While gloves have become the poster child for latex in long-term care, many other products around your facility could also contain latex, including1:

• Blood pressure cuffs
• Stethoscopes
• IV tubing
• Syringes
• Respirators
• Electrode pads
• Masks
• Carpet
• Waistbands on clothing
• Disposable briefs
• Sanitary pads
• Rubber bands
• Hot water bottles

New CMS Final Rule Allows Medicaid to Deny Payment for Healthcare-Acquired Illnesses

On Wednesday, CMS issued a final rule that prohibits or reduces Medicaid payments to doctors, hospitals and other healthcare providers for services that result in preventable healthcare-acquired illnesses or injuries. The list of preventable conditions includes falls and trauma, blood incompatibility, catheter-associated UTIs, pressure ulcers and poor glycemic control, among others.

The goal of the rule, which is based on Medicare policies being successfully used in hospitals, is to lower states' Medicaid costs. It also offers states flexibility in expanding the list of preventable conditions and choosing the healthcare settings in which Medicaid may or may not deny payment.

To learn more, click here.

Johns Hopkins: Residents with Mental Illness Need Special Consideration During Disaster Preparation

In the wake of the tornado that devastated Joplin, Missouri, many facilities are scrutinizing their own disaster preparedness plans. Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics encourage facilities to take special precautions with residents who have mental illnesses.

Disasters can cause extreme emotional distress for residents with cognitive impairments and they might not be able to fully grasp the severity of the situation, so the researchers recommend that disaster-preparedness training includes advice on handling these residents in a way that still respects their dignity. It's also important that a plan is put in place for ensuring that residents who are on crucial medications can still receive them if a disaster erupts since withdrawal from certain medications can be deadly.

To learn more, click here.