Polar Vortex Could Lead to Allergy Vortex

The polar vortex is finally making its exit, but its effects might be felt well into spring.

According to allergy experts, winter's heavy snow and below-freezing temperatures could cause trees to flower later than normal. This means that once temperatures finally warm up, pollinating trees will be working hard to catch up and will eject higher-than-average amounts of pollen into the air in a shorter period of time. Typically, trees drop their pollen more gradually.

The extra moisture in the already saturated ground will also contribute to damp conditions, potentially leading to more mold. Mold spores can trigger respiratory problems related to both allergies and asthma.

To help ease their symptoms, allergy sufferers should keep windows and doors closed and shower before bed. Starting nasal steroids early could help as well.

To learn more, click here.

Mayo Researchers Determine Gene Mutation Causes Some IBS

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have identified a genetic defect that they believe causes a subset of irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

IBS is common in the Western world, affecting about 15 to 20 percent of people. It is a disorder of the large intestine; people who have IBS commonly experience cramping, abdominal pain, bloating gas, diarrhea and constipation.

The Mayo researchers found that people with a subset of IBS have a mutation of the SC5NA gene. This defect causes them to have a disruption in bowel function.

The researchers are hopeful that their findings will allow them to work on disease-modifying agents.

To learn more, click here.

Study: One in 25 Hospital Patients Will Develop Infection

According to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, about one in every 25 people will develop an infection while seeking treatment at a hospital. Of the roughly 721,800 patients who acquired infections during the year studied (2011), 75,000 died; however, the study did not investigate how often the infections caused or contributed to these deaths.

The most common types of infection, accounting for almost one-quarter of them, were pneumonia and surgical site infections. These were followed by gastrointestinal infections (such as C. diff), urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.

To learn more, click here.

ProMed Good Friday/Easter Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed Friday, April 18 in honor of Good Friday/Easter.

Orders that are placed by noon on Monday, April 14 will be delivered by Thursday, April 17.

Please call our Customer Care department at 800.648.5190 if you have questions or concerns.

Thank you!

Breathe Easy This Spring

After a winter that overstayed its welcome, spring is finally here (according to the meteorological calendar, at least). Soon it will be warm enough to throw open your doors and let your residents enjoy fresh air. When that time comes, make sure that you’re stocked with all of the respiratory products that will allow them to take nice, deep breaths.

ProMed’s Respiratory Care Management product category includes all of the following items:

• Aerosol oxygen supplies, such as nebulizers and masks 
• CPAP and BiPAP units and accessories 
• Respiratory equipment, including oxygen concentrators and suction machines 
• Tracheostomy supplies, such as tubes, care kits, straps, tube holders and sponges  
• Ventilator supplies, including heat and moisture exchangers, circuits and connectors 

To learn more about these and other ProMed items, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Check Your Oxygen Signage!

Are you oxygen storage signs up to snuff? NFPA 99 Ed. 1999 8-3.1.11.3 Signs states that precautionary signs must be readable from a distance of five feet and include the following wording, at a minimum:

CAUTION; 

OXIDIZING GAS(ES) STORED WITHIN

NO SMOKING

The sign must be clearly displayed on each door or gate of the oxygen storage room or enclosure. Failure to post a complying sign could result in a tag at F323. 

We've heard that there are a number of signs on the market that don't meet these minimum requirements. Now is the time to check your signs!

The Best and Worst Foods for Heart Health

Whether you're planning on cooking at home or dining out this weekend, take time to include "heart smart" ingredients in your meal!

Try these: 

• Tree nuts. Nuts are a great source of protein. They also help lower bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol. Additionally, they contain arginine, an amino acid that makes nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels and supports blood flow. 
• Beans. Beans are rich in cholesterol- and blood pressure-reducing fiber. Studies have also shown that people who eat beans regularly are 22 percent less likely to develop heart disease. 
• Chocolate. Yep, you read that correctly. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids (which promote healthy blood circulation and supple arteries) and polyphenols (which reduce inflammation and the risk of atherosclerosis). Be sure to select chocolate that is at least 70 percent cacao to receive these benefits. 

Avoid these: 

• Added sugars. Sugar increases blood pressure and triglyceride levels and leads to weight gain. 
• Saturated fat. Foods high in saturated fat can increase blood cholesterol levels, leading to atherosclerosis. The American Heart Association recommends that saturated fat account for no more than 7 percent of your total daily caloric intake. 
• Salt. Sodium holds fluid in the body, placing added burden on the heart and contributing to hypertension. 

To learn more, click here.

Study: Long-Term Sleep Deprivation Can Lead to Brain Damage

If you regularly pull all-nighters, beware. Research has found that long-term sleep deprivation can lead to lasting brain damage.

This finding contradicts the idea that you can pay back a "sleep debt" by sleeping for longer hours on the weekend or the next available opportunity.

The researchers found that long-term sleep deprivation zaps the brain of power even after days of recovery sleep, which could be a sign of a brain injury.

During their experiment, the researchers put mice on a sleep schedule that mirrors that of a shift worker. They let them sleep, then woke them up for short periods, and then for long ones. When they examined the mice's brains, they found damage to the nerve cells in their brains in the area associated with alertness and cognitive function. They believe that when the mice lost a little sleep, the nerve cells reacted by making more of a protein that would energize and protect them. However, when losing sleep became a habit, that reaction shut down and the cells began dying off at an accelerated pace.

To learn more, click here.

CMS: Facilities Aren’t Prepared for Widespread Disasters

CMS has issued a proposed rule that aims to establish nationwide emergency preparedness requirements for Medicare- and Medicaid-participating providers, including long-term care facilities.

According to the proposed rule, current emergency preparedness guidelines aren’t sufficient to ensure that facilities are prepared for widespread disasters that could affect most or all of the facilities in their area and tax the ability of local, state and federal emergency management officials to provide assistance.  The agency is proposing the following additional requirements to help LTC facilities be prepared for emergencies they might face now or in the future:

• Develop and annually update a plan based on an “all-hazards” approach that focuses on being prepared for a full spectrum of emergencies and disasters 
• Develop and implement policies and procedures based on the emergency plan and risk assessment, which must be reviewed and updated at least annually 
• Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan that complies with both federal and state law. Additionally, LTC facilities must develop a method for sharing pertinent information from the emergency plan with residents and their families or representatives.
• Develop and maintain training and testing programs, including initial training in policies and procedures. 
• Have generators on hand and develop policies and procedures that address providing alternate sources of energy to maintain temperatures that protect resident health and safety and allow for the safe and sanitary storage of provisions. These sources of energy also need to power emergency lighting and allow fire protection and alarm systems to continue to function. LTC facilities should also consider their individual residents’ power needs, such as motorized wheelchairs and CPAP machines. 

To view the proposed rule in its entirety, click here.

Your ProMed territory manager is ready to meet with you and help you review your emergency preparedness plan. We can connect you with the products you need to ensure you’re prepared, including beds that roll at any height, transfer boards, fire prevention materials, batteries, first aid kits and more. To connect with us, contact your territory manager directly, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

17 Pieces of St. Patrick's Day Trivia

We've compiled St. Patrick's Day trivia for you to share with your residents while you celebrate today! We figured 17 was a good number of tidbits to share since the holiday falls on March 17. Enjoy!

1. "Erin go bragh" translates to "Ireland forever" 
2. The first St. Patrick's day parade wasn't actually in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737. The first parade in Dublin didn't happen until 1931! 
3. Chicago dyes the Chicago River green in honor of St. Patrick's Day (click here to watch a time-lapse video of the river being dyed). The tradition began in 1962. 
4. St. Patrick's given name at birth was Maewyn Succat. 
5. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17 because St. Patrick died on this date in 461 A.D. 
6. St. Patrick was born in Wales, not Ireland. 
7. Even though the color green is associated with St. Patrick's Day, the Order of St. Patrick, established in 1783, chose blue as its color because dark green was already taken. 
8. Of the 313.9 million residents of the United States, 34.1 million claim Irish ancestry. Ireland is second only to German in claimed ancestry. 
9. The shamrock, which is commonly associated with St. Patrick's Day, has three leaves. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity during his teachings. 
10. According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans will spend roughly $4.8 billion celebrating St. Patrick's Day in 2014 (this includes everything from beer to corned beef to shirts with clovers on them). 
11. The shortest St. Patrick's Day parade is held each year in Hot Springs, Arkansas. It clocks in at a whopping 98 feet. 
12. According to superstition, people who wear green on St. Patrick's Day are invisible to sneaky leprechauns. 
13. Until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. 
14. Because St. Patrick's Day falls during Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate during the afternoon. 
15. Although legend has it that St. Patrick drove all of the snakes out of Ireland, there is no evidence that snakes ever existed in Ireland. Scholars suggest that the term "snakes" might be figurative and refer to pagan religious beliefs. 
16. It is estimated that 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed worldwide on St. Patrick's Day. 
17. St. Patrick's Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Newfoundland, Labrador and Montserrat. 

Happy Pi Day!

Today is 3/14, or Pi Day!

In mathematical terms, pi is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, approximately equal to 3.14159.

Personally, we just think it's a great excuse to celebrate with a piece of pi(e)!

Study: Cancer Will Be Leading Cause of Death by 2030

According to a new report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, cancer is on track to become the leading cause of death by 2030. The number of new cancer cases is expected to jump by 45 percent, from 1.6 million cases to 2.3 million cases annually. This trend is driven largely by the US's rapidly aging population.

The good news is that the number of people who are surviving cancer is also continuing to increase. By 2022, it is estimated that there will be almost 18 million cancer survivors. This will represent almost a 35 percent increase from today. While this is positive, it will also present a challenge to the healthcare field because many survivors will require significant, ongoing care, such as monitoring whether the cancer has returned, screening for new cancers and care for the long-term effects of initial cancer treatment.

To learn more, click here.

CMS FY 2015 Requests Additional $49 Million for Surveys

CMS' proposed budget for fiscal year 2015 includes a $424.4 million request for Medicare survey and certification activities, a $49 million jump from the 2014 allocation. The agency said it needs the additional funds because of additional providers in the program and "improved CMS standards." CMS estimates that 91 percent of the funds would go toward surveys at LTC and home health agencies.

CMS also notes that their survey costs are being driven up by their involvement in "addressing issues of national importance" such as rates of antipsychotic medication prescription and pressure ulcers in nursing homes.

To learn more, click here.

Specialty Seating Solutions

Optima Products’ healthcare chairs and accessories are designed to provide therapeutic benefits while meeting the unique needs of high-risk residents. The chairs are constructed to meet rigorous institutional standards but styled to complement a home-like environment.

Featured products include:

• The Dyn-Ergo Scoot Chair is a welcome alternative to a standard geri-chair, wheelchair or room chair. It provides safer foot propulsion for people who are at risk of falling in a conventional wheelchair.
• The Evolution Mobility Chair has center-mounted wheels and adjustable seat height and depth, making it easy to maneuver and propel with one’s arms, feet or both. 
• The Thera-Glide safety glider allows residents to benefit from the therapeutic effects of a rocking chair while minimizing the risk of falls during transfer. Its patented automatic-locking system prevents rocking while entering or exiting the chair. 
• The Comp-Position chair responds to the needs of individuals requiring support and positioning during periods of extended sitting. Its tilt action helps reduce pressure for better skin management. 

To learn more about any of these products or our complete line of equipment and furnishings, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Study: Blood Test Can Predict Alzheimer's Disease

Researchers have developed a blood test that is astonishingly accurate at predicting a healthy individual's likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease.

During the study, the researchers tested the blood of hundreds of healthy people for lipids, a byproduct of DNA and RNA. Five years into the study, 28 of the people they tested had developed Alzheimer's. The researchers examined the lipids of these 28 seniors and found that they had low levels of 10 particular lipids when compared with healthy seniors. To confirm their findings, they then looked at the blood of 54 other people who had Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment and found that those individuals also had low levels of the lipids in question.

The test was able to catch Alzheimer's disease before the individual was exhibiting any symptoms, suggesting that the disease begins to develop long before people's memories begin to fail. The lead researcher suggested that perhaps lipid levels start decreasing at the same time that brain cells start dying.

Although a great deal of work still needs to be done, the developers hope the test will one day be available in doctors' offices and replace current testing methods that are often expensive, unreliable, impractical and sometimes risks, such as PET scans and spinal taps. It will likely be quite a while before the test finds its way to physicians as it still needs to be validated by other labs and with larger groups of people.

To learn more, click here.

Drink To Your Health!

We keep hydration top-of-mind during the warm summer months, but it's just as important to stay hydrated once the weather turns cooler. According to CMS tag F327, facilities must "provide each resident with sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health."1

To determine how much fluid a resident should consume on a daily basis, CMS recommends multiplying the resident’s body weight in kg (2.2 lbs = 1 kg) by 30 cc, except for residents with renal or cardiac distress (these individuals can be harmed by having an excess of fluids in their bodies). Using drinking cups with gradation marks can help you keep track of how much liquid a resident is consuming.

The following strategies from CMS can help residents stay hydrated throughout the day1: 

• Offer a variety of fluids (water, fruit juice, milk, etc.) between meals and encourage residents as appropriate
• Serve additional beverages with meals to help increase fluid intake
• Make sure filled water pitchers and drinking cups are easily accessible to residents
• Offer alternate fluid sources, such as popsicles, gelatin and ice cream

ProMed offers drinking cups and pitchers for use throughout your facility. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at 800.648.5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Reference

1 State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities. Rev. 70, 01-07-11. Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed Septmeber 25, 2013.

Study: Alzheimer's Deaths Rank Just Below Heart Disease, Cancer

A new study suggests that Alzheimer's disease may lead to half a million deaths a year, a figure that would put it right below heart disease and cancer.

Last year, 83,000 deaths were attributed to Alzheimer's, landing it at sixth place on the list of America's top killers. However, the researchers involved with the study found that death certificates commonly underreport deaths from Alzheimer's and dementia and instead tend to list the more immediate causes of death, such as pneumonia or heart attack. Alzheimer's, as an underlying cause of death, is frequently left off the death certificate.

Based on their findings, the researchers estimate that Alzheimer's could overtake cancer as a leading cause of death within the next 20 years.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Click here to learn more.

DEA Proposes Additional Controls for Hydrocodone Medications

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has proposed moving hydrocodone combination drugs, such as Vicodin, from Schedule III to Schedule II classification, which would place tighter controls on prescription refills and make it possible to impose administrative, civil and criminal sanctions on people who mishandle the drugs.

According to the DEA, the action is prompted in part by too much of the medication being diverted away from the people who need it and because many people are endangering themselves by choosing to take the drugs on their own initiative rather than according to medical advice from their doctors.

Several long-term care groups have spoken out against the reclassification, arguing that it will make it more difficult for residents with chronic pain to receive the medications.

Click here to read the complete proposed rule.

Get Moving Into Spring

After an especially brutal winter, many of us are feeling the onset of spring fever and are yearning to spend some time outdoors. Now is the perfect time to ensure that your residents have the mobility aids they need to remain active and independent this spring and beyond.

Tag F246, Accommodation of Needs, requires facilities to provide “furniture and adaptive equipment that enable residents to stand independently, transfer without assistance, maintain body symmetry, participate in resident-preferred activities and promote mobility and independence for residents in going to the bathroom.”1

Of course, the benefits of enhancing resident mobility go far beyond ensuring compliance with F tags. According to the Advancing Excellence campaign, mobile residents have stronger muscles and bones, which make them less likely to suffer fractures in the event of a fall. They also have improved heart and lung function, sleep better and are more alert. Additionally, mobile residents are more independent during activities of daily living and are less likely to be socially isolated.2

ProMed offers a suite of mobility products from leading manufacturers, including the following innovative items:

• The Lumex Uprise Onyx Folding Walker, a combination folding walker and rising aid, has secondary handles that provide stability while residents move from a seated to standing position. 
• Our lightweight aluminum transfer chair weighs just 19 pounds but supports residents weighing up to 300 pounds. Its back folds down for easy storage and transport. 
• The Spitfire EX three-wheeled compact travel scooter includes interchangeable color panels in red, blue and silver. It has a top speed of 5 mph and can travel nine miles before needing to be recharged. 
• Our aluminum rollator features a fold-up removable back support, padded seat and 6” casters with loop locks. Its soft-grip tires are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. 

To learn more about these products and our complete line of Equipment Solutions, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

References 

1. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities (Rev. 70, 01-07-11). Available at: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed February 24, 2014. 
2. Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes. Mobility. Available at: https://www.nhqualitycampaign.org/star_index.aspx?controls=mobilityexploregoal. Accessed February 24, 2014. 

CMS Adds Quality Data to Physician Compare Site

On February 21, CMS announced that quality data has been added to the Physician Compare website. The site is designed to help consumers make informed choices regarding their physicians.

The data is reported at the group practice and ACO levels of Physician Compare. Quality measures that were added to the site are:

• Controlling blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes
• Controlling blood pressure in patients with diabetes
• Prescribing aspirin to patients with diabetes and heart disease
• Patients with diabetes who do not use tobacco
• Prescribing medicine to improve the pumping action of the heart in patients who have both heart disease and certain other conditions

The provider ratings are displayed using stars (the more stars, the better rating) as well as an actual percentage score. 

To learn more, click here.