Traditional Survey Changes Go Into Effect Tomorrow

As of December 1, a number of revisions to the traditional survey process will go into effect. The changes, which were first announced on September 27, include the following:

• Revisions to Appendix P of the State Operations Manual (including changes to MDS 3.0, new Quality Measures Reports and updates to CMS forms 672, 802, 802S and 802P)
•  Revisions to Chapter 9 of the State Operations Manual
• New Quality Measures Reports for use in the traditional survey process

Registered users of The Perfect Survey, ProMed’s exclusive online survey preparation tool, have access to all of the newly updated forms as well as additional information on the adjustments to the survey process. We will also address these changes during this month’s complimentary Perfect Survey webinar, which is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on December 13. To learn more about The Perfect Survey and register for the webinar, click here.

To read the complete memo from CMS regarding the traditional survey changes, click here.  

ProMed and PolyMem Want to Give You a Free CEU Credit

ProMed and PolyMem have teamed up to offer nurses and wound care clinicians one free continuing education contact hour! The CEU is issued by the Wound Care Education Institute, an accredited continuing education provider.

The free online course, which was originally presented at the Wild on Wounds 2011 Conference, is titled "Improved Wound Care Outcomes with Polymeric Membrane Dressings." Here is a course description: 

In this session, you will examine the unique actions of the Polymeric membrane dressings which help to reduce the spread of edema, inflammation and pain into surrounding undamaged tissues without interfering with the robust localized inflammatory response required for healing. The dressings help reduce both persistent and procedural wound pain, which improving wound healing. 

To register for the free course: 

• Go to www.polymem.com and click on "Improved Wound Care Outcomes with PolyMem Membranes Dressings CEU Webinar." 
• Complete the mini-registration form. 
• Once the form is completed, a coupon code will appear along with a link to the full registration page. Be sure to write down your coupon code!
• After you have registered, you can access the online course at any time. 
• Once you have completed the course, you will receive your Certificate of Ongoing Education via email. 

Seniors Are Sleeping Better Than Previously Thought

The common beliefs that seniors go to bed early and have a tough time sleeping through the night aren't true for most elderly people, according to a new study.  

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh’s Sleep and Chronobiology Center (SCC) and University Center for Social and Urban Research (UCSUR) found that more than half of all retired people aged 65 and older reported sleeping at least 7.5 hours a night between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7:30 a.m.

 “Our findings suggest that in matters regarding sleep and sleepiness, as in many other aspects of life, most seniors today are doing better than is generally thought,” said Timothy Monk, Ph.D., D.Sc., the study’s lead author.

The researchers’ findings led them to believe that sleep issues in seniors depend more on the overall health of the individual rather than that person’s age. They also noted that daytime sleepiness is more likely to be related to medications, illnesses and poor nocturnal sleep, not necessarily age.

To learn more, click here. 

ProMed Holiday Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed on Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 in honor of Christmas. Orders that are placed by noon on Friday, December 21 will be delivered by Friday, December 28.

We will also be closed on Monday, December 31 and Tuesday, January 1 in honor of the new year. Orders placed by noon on Friday, December 28 will be delivered by Friday, January 4.

We invite you to call our customer service department at (800) 648-5190 with any questions.

We wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season!

Generic Lipitor Recalled Over Glass Particles

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. has recalled more than 40 batches of its generic version of Lipitor after warning that the medication might contain small particles of glass.

The recall applies to to bottles of 10-, 20- and 40-milligram tablets of atorvastatin calcium, the generic version of Lipitor. According to a statement from Ranbaxy, "The recall is being conducted at the retail level for such select batches that may contain a foreign substance (small glass particles less than 1 mm in size). Ranbaxy is proactively recalling the drug product lots out of an abundance of caution, and in keeping the safety of our customers in mind."

To view a full list of the recalled lots, click here.

To learn more, click here.

ProMed Thanksgiving Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed this Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 in honor of Thanksgiving. If you placed an order with us after noon on November 16, it will be delivered to your facility the week of November 26.

We invite you to call our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 with any questions or concerns. From our team to yours, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! 

CMS Announces 2013 SNF Co-Insurance Amounts

On Friday, CMS released the 2013 co-insurance amounts for skilled nursing care services as well as the new inpatient hospital deductible amount.

For 2013: 

• The inpatient hospital deductible will be $1,184 (up $28 from 2012)
• The daily co-insurance amount will be $286 for days 61-90 of a benefit period
• For the twenty-first through hundredth days of extended care services in a SNF, the co-insurance amount will be $148 
• The standard monthly Part B premium rate for all enrollees will be $104.90 (up $5 from 2012)
• For all Part B beneficiaries, the Part B deductible will be $147 

To learn more, click here. 

Savor the Worldly Flavors of Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving was first celebrated in America in 1621, many other cultures have added their own flavorful spin to the celebration, making it into a veritable melting pot of delicious flavors. Here are just a few examples:

• Poland: In addition to turkey, many Polish American families serve kielbasa, meatballs in mushroom gravy, pierogi and other favorites.
• Hawaii: Thanksgiving turkey is frequently cooked in an imu, an in-ground oven, or marinated in the Chinese Char Siu style with red beans, honey and soy sauce.
• Africa: The turkey is typically heavily spiced and couscous might take the place of mashed potatoes. Collard greens with bacon is a popular side dish.
• China: Many Chinese families celebrate Thanksgiving by going out for dim sum and choose bao, soft dough-filled buns, over the traditional pumpkin pie. Roast duck is also a common dish on Chinese Thanksgiving tables.
• France: Roasted guinea hens are a nod to the traditional cuisine of rural France.
• Italy: The turkey stays front and center on many Italian tables, but it might be seasoned with a more traditional seasoning blend, such as juniper berries, rosemary and sage. Sausage stuffing is also popular.
• Mexico: On many tables, a suckling pig replaces the traditional turkey.

Why not ask your residents how their families put their own personal spin on Thanksgiving? You might come up with some great new dishes to try!

Alexian Village Achieves Perfect Survey

Team ProMed congratulates Alexian Village in Milwaukee on achieving their second consecutive perfect survey! We're proud to be your partner in health care.

Study: Diabetics Need to Be Tested Earlier for Hearing Impairment

A new study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism is recommending that people with diabetes be screened for hearing impairment at a younger age than non-diabetics. The authors note that an earlier diagnosis could lead to a lower incidence of dementia and depression.

"The association of hearing impairment with diabetes is controversial, but it is believed that over time, high blood glucose levels can damage vessels in the stria vascularis and nerves, diminishing the ability to hear," said Chika Horikawa, the study's lead author.

To learn more, click here.

Happy World Diabetes Day!

Today, November 14, is World Diabetes Day! The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by The International Diabetes Foundation and its member associations.

Established in 1991, World Diabetes Day puts diabetes in the public spotlight and draws attention to issues that are important to the diabetes community. The theme of this year's World Diabetes Day is "Diabetes: Protect Our Future."

November 14 was selected as the annual date for World Diabetes Day because it is the birthday of Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, is credited with the discovery of insulin.

To learn more, click here.

Total Hip Replacement Patients More Likely to Have Strokes Post-Surgery

A study out of the Netherlands has found that individuals who undergo total hip replacements are four times more likely to suffer a hemorrhagic stroke and five times more likely to suffer an ischemic stroke in the weeks following surgery.

The rates are highest in the two weeks following surgery and decline quickly thereafter, evening out after six to 12 weeks. The study's authors urge caregivers to conduct stroke risk assessments for total hip replacement patients during the first six to 12 weeks post-surgery.

The authors noted that further studies are needed to better understand the results.

To learn more, click here.

COPD Can Worsen During the Winter

As winter creeps in, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, are more likely to experience disease flare-ups involving increased coughing and other exacerbated symptoms. This is partially due to the respiratory viruses (such as colds and flu) that make the rounds when weather turns cold.

HealthGrades recommends taking the following steps to avoid wintertime flare-ups:

• Protect yourself from respiratory infections by staying away from sick people, practicing good hand hygiene and getting vaccinated against flu and pneumonia (check with your doctor before receiving the vaccines). 
• Shield yourself from the cold by checking the weather before going outdoors (keep a close eye on wind chill). If you can, stay inside when it gets very cold outside. If you must go out, wear a knit scarf or mask around your face and mouth as well as a hat, mittens and multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing topped with a weatherproof jacket. 
• Stay away from aggravating elements, including secondhand cigarette smoke, smoke from wood-burning stoves, chemical fumes and dust. It's also a good idea to have your furnace checked to make sure it isn't leaking irritating particles. 
• See your doctor regularly throughout the cold months and follow his or her suggestions on caring for yourself. 

To learn more, click here.

Private Nursing Home Rooms Now Average $90,520 a Year

According to a new report, the average annual charge for a private room at a nursing home has climbed to $90,520. This is a 3.7 percent increase over last year's figure.

Semi-private rooms rose 3.7 percent to $81,030 and assisted living residency was up 2.1 percent to $42,600.

Over the past five years, costs for a private room in a nursing home have gone up by an average of 4 percent annually. Semi-private room increases have averaged 3.8 percent a year and assisted living costs saw a 4.1 percent annual jump.

To learn more, click here.

Long Shifts Lead to Unhappy Patients, Nurse Dropouts

A new study has found that nurses who work long shifts (10 hours of more) are two and a half times more likely to leave the profession than nurses who work shorter shifts. These nurses are also more likely to have dissatisfied patients.

The study's authors suggested imposing restrictions on nurse shift length and voluntary overtime. They also recommended that nurse manager monitor which nurses are working second jobs.

To learn more, click here.

CMS Encourages Some MA Beneficiaries to Re-Evaluate Options

CMS has sent letters to beneficiaries of 26 poorly performing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans encouraging them to re-evaluate their options. This is a result of the agency's increased focus on quality ratings.

The letters, which were sent over the course of the past week, address the beneficiaries by name and alert them that their plans have been listed as "poor" or "below average" as a result of earning fewer than three stars under Medicare's five-star rating system for three years running.

Back in October, the agency forbade one of the low-performing MA plans from enrolling new members. Similar actions for other low-rated plans are expected.

To learn more, click here.

Happy Election Day!

Regardless of party affiliation, we've all been counting down to November 6. Chances are, your residents share your Election Day enthusiasm. Research has shown that there was a decline in voter turnout between 1960 and 1998 for every age group other than those over 65. In fact, seniors are 60 percent more likely to vote than young people and 10 percent more likely to vote than the national average.^1,2 

Once your residents have cast their votes, why not have an Election Day party at your facility?

Here are some ideas to get you started.  Place red, white and blue decorations in a common room (this is a great opportunity to get extra mileage out of your Fourth of July decorations). Many people enjoy watching the results come in, so make sure you have plenty of comfortable seating around the largest television in the facility. The results can take a while, so ensure you have healthy snacks and drinks on hand. Encourage the residents to discuss their favorite political memories. To get things going, ask them who won the presidential election the first time they voted. Create or download a list of candidates for your local election (these lists are typically available on your county's website) so that residents can keep track of the winners. However you choose to celebrate, keep the mood lighthearted – politics can spark a lot of heated discussions and the goal here is for everybody to have fun!  References 1 U.S. Department of State. The Senior Vote in the 2012 Election. Available at: http://fpc.state.gov/190787.htm. Accessed November 1, 2012.  2 America.gov. Senior Citizens Most Reliable Group of U.S. Voters. Available at: http://www.america.gov/st/usg-english/2008/September/200809171649211xeneerg0.88995.html. Accessed November 1, 2012.

Superstorm Sandy Leaves Health Risks Behind

If you or a loved one live in an area affected by Superstorm Sandy, there are a number of health risks to keep in mind in the aftermath of the storm:

1. Reduce your risk of carbon monoxide exposure by avoiding using appliances such as generators or stoves indoors to heat your home. 
2. Keep in mind that floodwater may contain bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal diseases. Be sure to throw out any food that was touched by floodwater or sewage. You should also toss any food or drinks that were not properly refrigerated. 
3. Stay away from downed power lines and assume that all power lines are live. 
4. Wear gloves and protective glasses during cleanup to protect yourself from hand and eye injuries. 
5. Avoid letting mold develop by getting water-damaged items dried and removed. 
6. Check with your local department of health before drinking tap water to ensure that you are not under a boil order. (Most of the tap water across the New York area is safe to drink, but some areas, such as Long Beach City in Nassau County, are having problems.)
7. Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, might be exacerbated in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. Don't skip taking your medications. 

To learn more, click here. 

Red Cross Seeking Help in Wake of Hurricane Sandy

The Red Cross is mobilizing to help the victims of Hurricane Sandy and there are a number of ways that you can help aid in their efforts. 

To donate:

• Visit www.redcross.org
• Call 1-800-RED-CROSS 
• Text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation

You can also mail donations to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross at P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. 

The Red Cross is also urging people to donate blood and platelets. The storm has caused the cancellation of a number of blood drives in the region and blood products are greatly needed. To schedule a blood donation, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. 

ProMed Thanksgiving Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23, 2012 in honor of Thanksgiving.

Orders that are placed by noon on Friday, November 16 will be delivered by Wednesday, November 21. Orders placed after noon on November 16 will be delivered the week of November 26.

We invite you to call our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 with any questions or concerns.

From our team to yours, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!