Gobble Up Some Thanksgiving Trivia

Looking for a fun way to pass Thanksgiving afternoon? Print out this post, distribute it to your residents and test their knowledge of Thanksgiving! (If they get stumped, the answers are at the bottom.)

1. What was the first department store to host a Thanksgiving parade?

2. Who is the Greek goddess of corn?

3. What part of the turkey is saved and snapped as a superstitious good luck custom?

4. Who was the first President of the United States to pardon a turkey?

5. Which two football teams played each other in the first Thanksgiving Day game, held in 1934?

6. What is the name of the flap of skin that hangs from a turkey’s neck?

7. Yes or no: Do all turkeys gobble?

8. What is a baby turkey called?

9. Which state produces the most cranberries?

10. The Mayflower was not originally built to be a transportation vessel. What was its original purpose?

11. What was the name of the pilgrim leader who organized the first Thanksgiving feast?

12. Which eating utensil was absent at the first Thanksgiving meal – the knife, spoon or fork?

13. Who wanted the turkey to be the national bird of the United States? Hint: His face can be found on U.S. currency.

14. What is the average weight of a turkey purchased for Thanksgiving dinner?

15. How long did the first Thanksgiving celebration last?

Answers:

1. Gimbel’s Department Store in Philadelphia. 2. Demeter. 3. The wishbone. 4. Harry Truman. 5. The Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. 6. The wattle. 7. No. The male turkeys gobble, but the females make clicking noises. 8. A poult. 9. Wisconsin. 10. The Mayflower was built to be a merchant ship to carry wine. 11. Governor William Bradford. 12. The fork. The pilgrims ate with knives, spoons and their fingers. 13. Benjamin Franklin. 14. 15 pounds. 15. Three days. 

Antibiotics Show Promise at Eradicating Colonies of CRE

According to a new study, a powerful antibiotic has been shown to be effective at eliminating colonies of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE, in asymptomatic carriers.

During the study, 152 patients in an Israeli hospital were either given oral gentamicin, oral colistin, a combination of the two, or no antibiotics. The antibiotics had an average 44 percent success rate in eradicating CRE colonization. Of the two drugs, colistin performed better, at 50 percent. Among the control group, only 7 percent of patients had their CRE colonization eradicated.

Eradicating the colonies of CRE also improved mortality rates. The mortality rate was 17 percent among patients whose CRE was eradicated and 49 percent among others.

The CDC has warned that about half of all people with CRE bloodstream infections die. The agency has identified CRE as an urgent public health threat and named nursing facilities among the settings at highest risk.

To learn more, click here.

Study: One-Quarter of Seniors Haven't Discussed End-of-Life Care Preferences

A new survey from the Pew Research Group found that almost one-quarter of seniors over 75 have not written down or talked to anyone about their end-of-life care preferences. The study also found that 30 percent of people who described their health as "fair" or "poor" have not conveyed their wishes either.

However, there have been improvements in other areas. Back in 1990, only 16 percent of people had put their wishes down in writing, whether it was in an informal letter or a legal document. Today, that figure is at 35 percent.

To learn more, click here.

ProMed Order Cutoff Reminder

We wanted to remind you that our deadline for placing an order for delivery by Wednesday, November 27 was today at noon. Orders that are placed with ProMed from here on out will be delivered the week of December 2.

Additionally, our office will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 to allow our employees to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families.

We wish you and your team a safe and happy Thanksgiving! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190.

Study: Satisfaction, Outcomes Improved When Shift Handovers Done at Bedside

A new study has found that nurses can reduce errors and improve resident satisfaction by doing shift handovers at the bedside rather than at nurses' stations.

Care is more efficient and accurate when both the incoming and outgoing nurse can visually assess the resident, according to the study. The residents also report feeling less anxious and more engaged in their care when nurses did bedside meetings at shift changes.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Doctors' Refusal to Prescribe Generic Medications Costing Medicare Millions

According to a new analysis from ProPublica, Medicare is wasting hundreds of millions of dollars every year because a relatively small number of doctors refuse to allow expensive name-brand medications to be substituted with less-pricey generics.

The researchers found that just 913 doctors, including internists, family medicine and general practice physicians cost Medicare an extra $300 million in 2011 by disproportionately prescribing name-brand drugs. The doctors each wrote at least 5,000 prescriptions per year, including refills.

ProPublica also found that 48 percent of these doctors had financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry and received at least $1,000 for speaking, consulting and other promotional purposes.

There's can be a vast difference between the price of a name-brand drug and a generic. Crestor, for example, costs more than $6 per pill while its leading generic costs as little as 20 cents.

To learn more, click here.

OSHA Training Deadline for New Hazard Standard is December 1

In May of 2012, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that changes would be coming to its Hazard Communication Standard. The goal of the changes was to improve worker understanding of the hazards associated with chemicals in the workplace.

There are three major changes being made to the standard:

• Hazard classification. Chemical manufacturers and importers will be required to determine the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import. 
• Labels. Chemical manufacturers and importers must provide a label that includes a signal word, pictogram, hazard statement and precautionary statement for each hazard class and category related to the product.  
• Material safety data sheets (MSDS). A new MSDS format is being implemented that requires 16 specific sections, ensuring consistency in the way information is presented. 

The first deadline related to these changes is rapidly approaching. By December 1, 2013, employers are required to train their employees on the changes that are being made. However, it’s important to remember that distributors may continue to ship products labeled under the old system until December 1, 2015.

OSHA believes that the changes to the standard will enhance understanding of hazards, especially for low- and limited-literacy workers. They also expect that it will reduce confusion in the workplace, facilitate safety training, result in safer handling and use of chemicals and provide workers with quicker and more efficient access to MSDS information.

To learn more about the new standard and download training materials, click here.

Please Help Us Help Mike Kellenberger!

One of ProMed's very own, longtime sales rep Mike Kellenberger, lost his home in yesterday's tornado in Washington, Illinois. We have taken up a donation to help Mike, his wife, Michelle, and their six children.

We hope that friends of ProMed will consider making a donation. Any amount is appreciated and will help the Kellenberger family rebuild their lives.

To learn more or make a donation, please click here.

Five Strategies for Combating Flu At Home

You take all of the recommended steps to keep flu from spreading in the facility where you work, but what about your home?

The following five strategies can help you defend your house against the flu: 

1. Keep your home's relative humidity level at 40 to 60 percent. Low humidity levels can contribute to the flu virus's survival. 
2. Invest in a germicidal UV light. These gadgets can inactivate microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. 
3. Purchase an air purifier. Air purifiers can remove the smallest microbes from the air, reducing harmful airborne germs. 
4. Disinfect surfaces. This will physically remove germs from surfaces. Look for EPA-registered disinfectants. 
5. Wash linens. The flu virus can live for several hours on surfaces and even longer on porous materials like towels, washcloths, blankets and linens. Wash your linens in hot water and dry them on a hot setting. 

To learn more, click here. 

Study: Oral Health Problems Could Be As Common and Serious As Falls, Incontinence

According to a new study out of the Netherlands, oral healthcare is poised to become as serious a health problem as falls, incontinence and mobility limitations among the elderly.

Interestingly, problems have worsened because of advances in dental care that have allowed more elderly people to keep their teeth. This means that these people are now at greater risk for developing gum disease and other oral health care issues, which can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

The researchers noted that seniors, especially those in LTC facilities, suffer from a wide array of negative consequences tied to poor oral care.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Singing Show Tunes Can Combat Dementia

It might be time to break out your Phantom of the Opera soundtrack.

A new study has found that singing show tunes can help combat dementia. During the four-month study, the participants, who had dementia, were divided into two groups. The first group sang along with classic show tunes during three 50-minute sessions per week. The second group just listened to the songs.

At the end of the study, the researchers found that the singing group's performance on cognitive tests had improved. The listening group did not show improvement. The researchers said that the results indicate that singing is an effective form of therapy for those with moderate to severe dementia.

The type of music sung is important, the researchers added. Familiar songs, such as show tunes, might activate the brain by sparking memories.

To learn more, click here.

Get a Good Night’s Sleep with ProMed

ProMed has everything that you need to help your residents have sweet dreams!

Studies have shown that as people age, they tend to have a harder time falling asleep and more trouble staying asleep. They also tend to be less satisfied with the sleep they are getting and more tired during the day. A number of behavioral modifications can help with this, including cutting back on caffeine, trying to go to bed at the same time each evening and reducing the amount of time spent napping.1 A sleep-conducive environment can also help residents relax and fall asleep more quickly. ProMed stocks a complete line of products to help you create comfortable, homelike sleeping spaces.

We offer:

• Bathroom safety products to assist with nighttime toileting 
• A complete range of beds, including bariatric offerings 
• Blankets and linens, ranging from lightweight coverlets to thick, warm comforters 
• CPAP machines and accessories 
• Fall prevention items, including alarms, bedside mats and rails 
• Furnishings and casegoods to create an attractive living environment 
• Incontinence management products to keep residents dry and comfortable throughout the night
• Lifts and slings to help caregivers easily maneuver residents in and out of bed 
• Mattresses in both dynamic and static pressure-relieving designs 
• Pillows in foam, polyester fiberfill and disposable styles 

Your ProMed territory manager is ready to help you create soothing, comfortable sleeping environments for your residents. To learn more, reach out to your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Reference 
1 National Sleep Foundation. Aging and Sleep. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/aging-and-sleep. Accessed October 11, 2013. 

Data: Nursing Homes Most Dangerous Workplaces in America

According to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing homes had the highest rates of workplace injury and illness in 2012.

The incidence rate for illness and injury in private sector nursing and residential care facilities was 7.3 percent in 2012. State-run nursing homes reported an even higher rate of 13 percent. Of all the illness and injury rates reported by the BLS, this was the only one to reach double digits. By comparison, the figure for construction workers was only 3.6 percent.

Many of the reported injuries occurred while workers were moving residents, highlighting the importance of a safe lifting program.

To learn more, click here.

ProMed Thanksgiving Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29, 2013 in honor of Thanksgiving.

Orders placed by noon on Friday, November 22 will be delivered by Wednesday, November 27. Orders placed after noon on Friday, November 22 will be delivered the week of December 2.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190. Thank you!

CMS Corrects Coding Examples in RAI Manual

CMS has corrected some therapy coding examples in the newly released MDS 3.0 Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) Manual.

The corrected examples appear on pages 3, 5 and 6 of Chapter 3, Section O. Corrections were also made to the Chapter 3 flowchart addressing ADLs and the Section O change table on page G-7 of Section G.

To learn more and access the corrections, click here.

Study: Younger People More Likely to Save for LTC

A new study has found that younger people are becoming more informed about their long-term care needs and are more likely to be saving for the future needs than older Americans.

The survey, which involved more than 2,000 people, found that 36 percent of people between 18 and 34 years old were saving for future long-term care needs. On the other hand, only 21 percent of people between 45 and 54 said they were saving.

The younger respondents were also less likely than other groups to believe that Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance would cover their long-term care needs.

To learn more, click here.

Tips to Avoid a Fall This Fall (and All Year Round)

Every year, one out of every three adults 65 years and older will fall. These falls can cause moderate to severe injuries, including hip fractures, head traumas and the risk of early death.1 The good news is that falls are largely preventable. The following list was created to help keep both you and your residents safe from fall risks.

Diet and fluids

• Good nutrition, keeping fluid levels up and exercising are all important for maintaining health and reducing fall risk. 

Vision 

• Have your eyes checked annually
• Give your eyes time to adjust to the change in light when going from a well-lit room to a dimmer one and vice versa 

Physical environment 

Ask yourself the following questions when inspecting a resident room:

• “Is the bed adjusted to an appropriate height for the resident – not too high or too low, and with the wheels immobilized?”
• “Is there a non-skid area where the resident exits the bed?”
• “Is the call light within reach?”
• “Is the lighting sufficient for the resident to see obstacles without glare?” 
• “Is the furniture at the right height and equipped with armrests to support the resident?”
• “Is the toilet at the proper height for easy use?” 
• “Is the tub area equipped with handrails and non-skid surfaces?” 
• “Is the rug that is put down to keep floors dry in winter secure enough to not trip residents?”

Devices 

• Be aware that residents can injure themselves while attempting to get free from restraints. 
• Falls can occur as a result of a resident climbing over bed rails, especially full rails. The injuries that are sustained are often much worse due to the increased height of the fall.

Footwear

• Shoes with a thinner rubber sole or rough leather sole accommodate both carpeting and tile. 
• Leather soles can cause a person to slip on a slick floor. 
• Rubber soles can cause a person to “stick” on carpet. 
• Athletic shoes with thick rubber soles can cause a halting walk on thick carpeting and prevent a true sense of impact on the bottom of the feet. 

To download a printable version of this checklist, click here.

Professional Medical’s complete fall prevention line contains a number of products to help you combat falls in your facility, including revolutionary SAFEHIP AirX hip protectors and the low-profile FlatMat. To learn more about these and other products, contact your ProMed territory manager, visit us online at promedsupply.com or give us a call at (800) 648-5190.

Reference
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls Among Older Adults: An Overview. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/falls/adultfalls.html. Accessed October 7, 2013.

Study: Animal Therapy Helps Delay Dementia Symptom Progression

A new study has found that interacting with therapy animals can slow down the progression of dementia symptoms in nursing home residents.

The study, which was conducted in Germany and Switzerland, placed 65 residents into two groups. One of the groups received 10 weekly sessions of animal therapy while the other group did not. At the end of the study period, the researchers found that agitation/aggression and depression had significantly increased in the group that did not receive animal therapy. Those symptoms remained steady in the group that had interacted with the animals.

To learn more, click here.