HHS Announces Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced a program to honor clinicians and healthcare teams that help patients control high blood pressure and prevent heart attacks and strokes.

According to a press release, the Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge recognizes "exemplary public and private practices and providers that achieve sustained hypertension control rates of 70 percent or above." The challenge aims to support the Million Hearts initiative in its goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.

Roughly 70 million U.S. adults have high blood pressure, but only half the members of that group have it under control. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke, both of which are leading causes of death in the U.S.

To enter the challenge, applicants must provide information about their practice, share verifiable high blood pressure control data and describe how health information technology (such as electronic health records, team-based care, etc.) contributes to their success. The deadline for entering the challenge is October 31, 2015.

To learn more, click here.

CMS: 2016 Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Prices Should Remain Stable

CMS projects that the average monthly premium for a basic Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will remain stable in 2016 at an estimated $32.50 per month. This projection is based on bids submitted by drug and health plans for basic drug coverage and calculated by the independent CMS Office of the Actuary.

Additionally, Medicare Part D enrollees will continue to savings on out-of-pocket costs as the Affordable Care Act closes the Part D so-called "donut hole" over time. Since the ACA was enacted, seniors and people with disabilities have saved an average of $1,598 per beneficiary on prescription drugs.

The Part D open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7.

To learn more, click here.

"Two-Midnight" Rule Enforcement Delay Extended

CMS has extended the partial enforcement delay of the controversial "two-midnight" rule, which was originally set to expire on September 30, to December 31.

The Medicare rule requires patients be hospitalized for two midnights before they are deemed eligible for inpatient care. This can allow beneficiaries to qualify for skilled nursing coverage.

This means that Recovery Audit Contractors will not conduct post-payment reviews for claims that have admission dates between October 1 and December 31. Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) will conduct reviews to determine whether inpatient status is appropriate during that time period.

As of January 1, initial status reviews will be handled by QIOs, with Recovery Audit Contractors conducting follow-up reviews when the QIOs refers them.

To learn more, click here.

Do You Know the Six Types of Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is an involuntary loss or leakage of urine. The type of incontinence a resident is experiencing can greatly impact the way that your facility addresses it. Keep in mind that a resident might suffer from several different types of incontinence at the same time.

There are six types of urinary incontinence: 

Functional incontinence is a loss of urine that occurs in residents who cannot remain continent because of external factors, such as the inability to get to the toilet in time. These residents have sufficiently intact urinary tract function.

Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder has reached its maximum capacity and becomes distended. This type of incontinence is associated with the leakage of small amounts of urine.

Stress incontinence causes small amounts of urine leakage when intra-abdominal pressure on the bladder is increased (such as with sneezing, coughing, lifting, standing from a sitting position, climbing stairs, etc.). Stress incontinence is associated with malfunction of the urethral sphincter.

Transient incontinence refers to temporary episodes of incontinence that are reversible once the cause is identified and treated.

Urge incontinence, also referred to as overactive bladder, is caused by excessive contraction of the detrusor muscle in the bladder, which results in the strong urge to urinate even when the bladder is not full. 

Report: Antipsychotic Use Down 21.7 Percent

According to a new report, antipsychotic use has gone down 21.7 percent among long-stay nursing home residents over the past four years.

The findings were released as part of the National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes' trend report. According to the report, the Partnership has "a mission to deliver health care that is person-centered, comprehensive and interdisciplinary with a specific focus on protecting residents from being prescribed antipsychotic medications unless there is a valid, clinical indication and a systemic process to evaluate each individual's need."

To learn more, click here.

SDS File Update: August 2015

On July 7, we notified you that we are working diligently to provide you with updated SDS files from our manufacturer partners in accordance with OSHA’s Revised Communication Standard. Since that time, we have added SDS documents from the following manufacturers:

• 3M
• Angelini
• Bard
• BioFreeze
• Calmoseptine
• CareFusion
• Chase Products
• Citrus II
• Coloplast
• Control III
• DermaRite
• DeRoyal
• Dukal
• International Direct (Embrace and Compliance)
• iSens (CareSens)
• Metrex
• Rx Destroyer
• Unilever (Suave and Dove)

We will continue to update you on a monthly basis regarding the SDS files that we have received from manufacturers and added to promedsupply.com so that you can continue to download them for your facility’s files. If you are in immediate need of a specific SDS file, please contact our Customer Care team at 800.648.5190.

To view and download the updated SDS files, please take the following steps:

1. Go to promedsupply.com
2. Log on to the site. (If you do not have existing login credentials, please call our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 to obtain them.)
3. On the right-hand side of the page, under the Search box, click on the blue “Download SDS forms” link. This will bring you to the SDS landing page. 
4. On the SDS landing page, SDS files are organized by ProMed item number. To locate the file you need, you can either scroll through the list of files or use the Search box at the top of the list to quickly locate a specific product.
5. Click on the file name to open the file. The files are in PDF format. Once they are opened, they can be printed or saved to your computer. 
6. For added convenience, SDS files are also posted under the “Specifications/SDS” tab on individual product pages.  

Study: Spicy Foods Might Help You Live Longer

There's good news for people who delight in singeing their taste buds. New research shows that fiery foods such as chili peppers might actually help people live longer.

During the study, researchers analyzed the spicy food consumption of nearly half a million people between the ages of 30 and 70, excluding people who had cancer, heart disease or stroke. They then reviewed the records of 20,224 people who died during a seven-year follow-up period and discovered that the subjects who ate spicy foods six to seven times a week had a 14 percent lower risk of premature death for all causes than people who ate spicy foods less than once a week (the most common sources of spicy foods were fresh and dried chili peppers). Additionally, people who ate spicy food frequently also showed a lower risk of death from cancer as well as ischemic heart and respiratory system diseases.

So what causes this unexpected health benefit? The researchers think that it's capsaicin, a bioactive ingredient in chili peppers that has been tied to health perks such as increased fat burning.

Before you rush out to order extra-spicy kung pao chicken, however, keep in mind that spicy foods can also be irritants for people with incontinence or overactive bladders. They can also aggravate colds or sinus infections.

To learn more, click here.

Healthcare Facility Info Now Available on Yelp

Now you can find out if the taco place down the street is any good and check out the wait time at your local ER all on the same website. Yelp has partnered with ProPublica to give consumers quick access to information on healthcare facilities, according to a Washington Post article.

ProPublica is providing Yelp with data gathered from 4,600 hospitals, 15,000 nursing homes and 6,300 dialysis clinics, such as hospital emergency room average wait times, fines paid by nursing homes and how often people receiving dialysis treatment are readmitted to a hospital because of treatment-related infections or other problems. In return for providing this data, ProPublica will be given access the healthcare reviews posted by Yelpers for use in research for news stories, though they will not receive personal reviewer information other than what is already posted on the site.

Which much of the ProPublica data is already available on Medicare's Hospital Compare website, Yelp maintains that is presenting it in a more user-friendly format.

Currently, healthcare facilities only make up 6 percent of the businesses reviewed on Yelp. Yelp's executives hope that with the additional data posted, this number will increase.

To learn more, click here.

10 Tips for Fighting Fungal Infections

Fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot, ringworm and jock itch, can be spread very easily from person to person, making them a challenge for long-term care and other healthcare settings. Below, we’ve assembled 10 strategies to help you fight back against fungal infections and the itching, cracking and other bothersome side effects they bring.

1. Advise residents to not share towels, combs or other personal items. 
2. Keep common areas clean. 
3. Encourage residents to wash their hands frequently. 
4. Apply an antifungal power or cream to residents after bathing, paying close attention to folds of skin where moisture might collect. 
5. To avoid contracting athlete’s foot, wash residents’ feet daily, dry them well and put on clean socks.
6. Encourage residents to remove their shoes while relaxing to expose their feet to air. 
7. Ask residents to wear waterproof sandals or “shower shoes” in communal bathing areas. 
8. Keep residents’ groin areas clean and dry, especially in warmer weather.
9. If residents are sweaty following an activity or outing, help them change into dry, clean clothes and underwear. 
10. Talk to residents and their family members about avoiding tight clothing and fabrics that do not “breathe.”

Professional Medical stocks a number of antifungal products that can help keep your residents comfortable and protected. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Labor Day Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2015 in honor of Labor Day. All Monday deliveries will be made on Tuesday, September 8.

Customers who typically order on Monday for Tuesday delivery will need to place their orders by Friday, September 4.

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

Study: Many Older Americans Poorly Controlling Diabetes

According to a new study out of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, only one in three older Americans with diabetes have the disease under good control. Failing to properly manage diabetes can lead to long-term health problems ranging from kidney disease to blindness.

The researchers looked at three different measures to good diabetes control: hemoglobin A1C, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Of the individuals studies, 72 percent met the hemoglobin A1C level, 73 percent met blood pressure goals and 63 percent had good cholesterol levels. Only 35 percent of the individuals met all three targets.

The study also showed racial disparities, mostly in women. The researchers noted that black women were much less likely to have acceptable blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels than white women.

The researchers said their findings will be used to determine how clinical targets can better be met and how they should be addressed from a public health perspective.

To learn more, click here.

Study: Anticholinergics Increase Fall Risk In Older Men

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older men who take specific commonly used medications have a higher risk of being injured in a fall.

The medications in question are those that have anticholinergic effects, which block the part of the brain that passes messages between nerve cells. These drugs are commonly prescribed to older people to help alleviate bladder problems, depression, psychosis, insomnia and respiratory problems. They can cause blurred vision, increased heart rate, sedation and confusion.

Interestingly, the researchers noted that the use of these drugs did not increase risks for women.

To learn more, click here.

Keep Residents Cool This Summer

The heat is fully cranked up here in Chicagoland! Are you taking steps to prevent heat-related emergencies at your facility? We assembled the following list to help you make sure you have all your bases covered. 

Make sure your building is summer-ready 

• Make sure that the temperature in your facility is safe and comfortable.
• Keep residents indoors in the air conditioning during heat waves.
• Close blinds or curtains to keep direct sunlight from entering rooms.
• Turn off unneeded lights (they emit heat).
• Use extra circulating fans to keep to keep air moving within your facility. Avoid using fans directed at individuals when the ambient temperature exceeds 100° F.

Be ready for anything 

• Many states issue Hot Weather Bulletins. Monitor the television or radio for important local heat-related announcements and be sure to follow your state's protocols during warm weather.
• Review your facility's emergency disaster plan. It should include:
• Up-to-date emergency telephone numbers
• Contingency plans in case the facility's air-conditioning system goes out
• An evacuation plan in case residents need to be moved to a "cooling center
• Be aware of the outdoor heat index (a measurement of what the hot weather "feels like") and take appropriate precautions.
• Remember that exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by up to 15 degrees.

Keep residents hydrated

• Consider establishing a hydration station in the facility, where water and other fluids are always available to residents and staff.
• Encourage residents to drink plenty of fluids. Water and fruit or vegetable juices are best.
• Offer residents extra fluids at regular intervals.
• Popsicles or freeze-pops are another alternative to fluids.
• If the resident has a fluid restriction, ask the physician for specific orders during hot weather.
• Avoid caffeine or sodas because these cause a person to lose more body fluid.

Analysis: Healthcare Workers Feel Jobs are Meaningful

According to a new analysis from PayScale, a compensation data website, many jobs that rank high both in terms of pay and meaningfulness are in the healthcare industry.

Eighty-two percent of healthcare practitioners felt their jobs were meaningful. This group includes individuals such as registered nurses, surgeons, specialized doctors, technicians and educators. This group also earned the highest median annual pay out of the 24 groups analyzed at $83,500 per year.

Seventy-eight percent of healthcare support workers, a group that includes home health aids, nursing aides, therapists and medical assistants, reported that their jobs were meaningful. Their median annual pay was $33,800.

To learn more, click here.

Keep Your Residents Safe in the Bathroom

According to the CDC, roughly 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die every year from fall-related injuries. Those who fall and survive are still likely to suffer injuries that result in permanent disability and a reduced quality of life.1

Many of the falls that occur each year happen in the bathroom, with the majority involving injuries occurring in or around the tub or shower and on or near the toilet.2 To help combat bathroom falls, the CDC recommends making environmental changes that allow residents to move around more safely.1 Such modifications could include installing grab bars and raised toilet seats, among other bathroom safety tools.

ProMed stocks a complete suite of bathroom safety products to protect your residents and give you peace of mind, including:

• Portable commodes
• Raised toilet seats
• Shower and bath chairs
• Bath lifts
• Handheld shower sprayers
• Grab bars
• Tub rails
• Bath steps

To learn more about any of these products, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com. We’re ready to help you create a comprehensive fall prevention plan!


References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Falls in Nursing Homes. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Falls/nursing.html. Accessed July 2, 2015.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nonfatal Bathroom Injuries Among Persons Aged ≥ 15 Years – United States, 2008. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6022a1.htm. Accessed July 2, 2015.

Study: Eye Drops Might Help Clear Cataracts, Reduce Need for Surgery

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have found that eye drops that contain a natural chemical could help seniors avoid cataract surgery.

The chemical, lanosterol, was shown to help prevent clumping of protein in the eyes that can lead to obstructed vision. The six-week study found that applying lanosterol drops to dogs with age-related cataracts decreased lens cloudiness and reversed the course of the disease.

The researchers noted that the drops likely won't clear up dense cataracts and that more research is needed before human trials could begin.

To learn more, click here.

Report: Nursing Home Employee Salaries Continue to Rise

A new report found that salaries for nursing home employees continue to increase. The "Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report 2015-2016," which is published by the Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service with an endorsement from LeadingAge, reported the following average salaries:

• Executive directors: $171,008 (up 2 percent over last year) 
• Administrators: $119,197 (up 2.5 percent) 
• Assistant administrators: $96,380 (up 1.68 percent) 
• DONs: $93,290 (up 1.5 percent) 
• Assistant DONs: $69,003 
• Nursing supervisors: $66,109 (up 3.24 percent, the largest jump this year) 
• CNAs: $11.84 per hour (for-profit facilities) or $11.89 (non-profit facilities) (up 1.95 percent) 

To learn more, click here. 

Tips for Protecting Diabetic Feet This Summer

While it might feel great to kick off your shoes and feel the grass beneath your feet during the summer, it's important that people with diabetes remember they're more prone to foot-related complications and continue to take measures to prevent them.

Here are four tips to protect diabetic feet during the summer:

1. Forget the flip-flops. While flip-flops and other sandals allow feet to feel cooler, they're not supportive. Instead, consider a breathable, well-fitted athletic shoe that offers both support and comfort.
2. Don't overlook small cuts and scrapes. Many diabetics underestimate the havoc that can be wrought by a scrape, open blister or superficial cut. Diabetes lowers the body's natural defense against bacteria, thereby opening the door for cellulitis to set in. This infection can quickly spread into the bloodstream from a seemingly small wound on a foot or leg. Diabetics are a higher risk for cellulitis than non-diabetics.
3. Keep skin clean and dry. Fun at the pool and beach or any activity that results in sweating can result in extra skin moisture, which in turn can lead to an overgrowth of skin fungus and potentially an athlete's foot infection. If the infection makes its way into the foot skin through cracks and fissures, cellulitis can result.
4. Control blood sugar. When blood sugar is normal, the potential for foot complications is significantly lower. In the summer, this might mean saying no to the barbeque, pie, ice cream and other warm-weather goodies that pop up at celebrations.

Study: Cognitive Impairment Worsens Faster in Women

A new study out of Duke University found that women with mild cognitive impairment that can lead to Alzheimer's tend to deteriorate faster than their male counterparts.

The researchers studied 400 men and women in their mid-70s with mild cognitive impairment and followed up with them over the course of eight years. They administered a test called the Mini-Mental State Examination and determined that thinking and memory deteriorated twice as fast in women as in men.

The researchers stressed that their findings demonstrate the importance of making gender-specific Alzheimer's research a priority.

To learn more, click here.

Sanitize Your Hands on the Go

Summer is filled with picnics, fairs and time spent outdoors. These pastimes are great fun, but they can also be breeding grounds for germs. To protect yourself and your residents, slip bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer into your bag before heading outdoors.

For maximum efficacy, make sure that the sanitizer you’re using has an alcohol concentration of between 60 and 95 percent. Studies have shown that sanitizer in this concentration range is more effective at killing germs than non-alcohol based sanitizers and those with a lower concentration of alcohol.1

The proper application of hand sanitizer should take 20 to 30 seconds – don’t rush it! To ensure you’re getting optimum performance from your product, follow these steps2:

1. Apply a palmful of sanitizer to your cupped hand. 
2. Rub your hands palm to palm. 
3. Rub your right palm over the back of your left hand, then switch hands. 
4. Interlace your fingers and rub your palms together again. 
5. Interlock your fingers and rub them on the opposing palms.
6. Clasp your left thumb in your right palm and rub it in a rotational motion, then switch hands.
7. Clasp the fingers of your right hand together and rub them backward and forward on the palm of your right hand, then switch hands. 
8. Wait until the sanitizer is dry on your hands before resuming activities. 

While they’re great in a pinch – say, when you’re outdoors and there are no sinks available for washing hands – keep in mind that hand sanitizers might not be as effective as soap and water when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.1 If this is the case, be sure to wash your residents’ hands as soon as you return to the facility.

To learn more about the hand sanitizing options available from ProMed, as well as the other products in our comprehensive skin care line, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Reference
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Show Me the Science – When to Use Hand Sanitizer. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science-hand-sanitizer.html. Accessed June 24, 2015.

2 World Health Organization. How to Handrub? Available at: http://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/How_To_HandRub_Poster.pdf. Accessed June 24, 2015.

HHS Proposes Major Changes to Improve Nursing Home Care

On July 13, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a proposal that would make "major changes to improve the care and safety of the nearly 1.5 million residents in more than 15,000 long-term care facilities or nursing homes that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs," according to a statement from the department.

Many of the proposed changes build upon improvements nursing homes have already made since 1991, the last time the conditions for participating in Medicare and Medicaid received a major update.

The changes include:

• Making sure that staff are properly trained on caring for resident with dementia as well as in preventing elder abuse.
• Ensuring nursing homes consider the health of residents when making decisions on the kinds and levels of staffing their facilities need to properly care for residents.
• Ensuring staff members have the right skill sets and competencies to provide person-centered care and that the care plan developed takes the resident's goals of care and preferences into consideration.
• Improving care planning, including discharge planning for all residents, with involvement of the facility's interdisciplinary team and consideration of the caregiver's capacity, giving residents information they need for follow-up and ensuring that instructions are transmitted to any receiving facilities or services. 
• Allowing dietitians and therapy provides the authority to write orders in their areas of expertise when a physician delegates the responsibility and state licensing laws allow it. 
• Requiring nursing homes to provide greater food choices for residents while also providing flexibility. 
• Update the nursing home's infection prevention and control program, including requiring an infection prevention and control officer and an antibiotic stewardship program that includes antibiotic use protocols and a system to monitor antibiotic use. 
• Strengthening rights of nursing home residents, including placing limits on when and how binding arbitration agreements may be used. 

To learn more, click here.

Pack a "Senior Summer Survival Kit" to Fight the Heat

It's shaping up to be a hot weekend here in Illinois! Is your facility ready? If you haven't already, we recommend creating "Senior Summer Survival Kits" to help your residents and loved ones cope with the hot weather. 

These kits are low-cost and easy to assemble. Examples of contents include: 

• A reusable water bottle to encourage proper hydration
• Copies of all prescriptions and health insurance cards
• Phone numbers of healthcare providers and information about any health conditions
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 30) to prevent serious burns
• Hand-held fans 

Happy Friday from our team to yours! 

CMS: Fraud Payment System Identified $820M in Improper Payments in Three Years

CMS announced that their Fraud Prevention System identified or prevented $820 million in improper payments during its first three years.

The Fraud Prevention Service, or FPS, was launched in 2011. In 2014 alone, the system identified $454 million in inappropriate payments, which resulted in administrative actions against 2,000 providers. These actions included having billing privileges revoked or being referred to law enforcement, among other consequences.

CMS has plans to ramp up FPS in the future. The agency wants to use the system to identify early leads for intervention for Medicare Administrative Contractors as well as to stop claims for medical review by Recovery Audit Contractors prior to payment.

To learn more, click here.

Let Us Help You Achieve a Perfect Survey

Have you exhausted all of your go-strategies for boosting your facility’s survey results? Maybe it’s time for a fresh perspective. ProMed is ready to help!

Compliance Solutions: For the Perfect Survey Every Day, our exclusive Web-based survey preparation tool, is available at no charge to dedicated ProMed customers. The site will help you prepare for both the traditional and QIS survey and includes access to:

• The actual forms that surveyors use
• Exclusive tips from industry veterans
• Resources for tracking your survey preparedness
• Case studies to help you address how you would handle specific challenges in your own facility
• And much more!

New information is added on a monthly basis and the site is regularly updated to reflect updates from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

To learn more and register for Compliance Solutions: For the Perfect Survey Every Day, contact your ProMed territory manager or give us a call at (800) 648-5190.

Catheterization: What, How and When?

Generally speaking, urinary catheters are used to drain urine from the body. The three primary types of urinary catheter are indwelling, intermittent and external. We created the following chart as a brief overview of these three catheter types, including how they work and when they can appropriately be used.1,2

Type:  Indwelling (Foley) catheter

How It Works  

• Left in the bladder 
• Collects urine and empties it into a drainage bag 
• May be inserted through the urethra or directly into the bladder via a small hole in the belly (urostomy)
• A small inflated balloon on the end of the catheter prevents it from sliding out (the balloon is deflated before removal)

When Is It Used?

• For both short and long periods of time
• When residents have acute urinary retention or bladder outlet obstruction 
• For accurate measurement of urinary output in critically ill residents 
• During and following select surgeries
• When residents require prolonged immobilization
• Following spinal cord injuries
• To improve comfort during end-of-life care

Type: Intermittent catheter 

How It Works  

• Inserted into the bladder only when urine needs to be drained and then removed  

When Is It Used?

• For short-term use, such as after surgery

Type: External (condom) catheter  

How It Works 

•  For male use only
• A condom-like device is placed over the penis
• A tube connected to the catheter leads to a drainage bag  

When Is It Used?

• Typically used when residents have seriously functional or mental disabilities, such as dementia, rather than urinary retention problems

The CDC cautions that indwelling catheters should only be used for appropriate indications and left in place only as long as needed. They should never replace proper nursing care for incontinent residents.2

Catheters are available in several different materials, such as silicone and latex, and with multiple features. Your highly trained ProMed territory manager is ready to help you select the exact catheters to meet your residents’ need. To get started, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Sources

1 U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Urinary catheters. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003981.htm. Accessed June 16, 2015.

2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections, 2009. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/cauti/02_cauti2009_abbrev.html. Accessed June 15, 2015.

Congratulations, Dave Starke!

Congratulations to Dave Starke and his wife, Ashley, on the arrival of their daughter, Sophie Grace! Sophie was born on July 8. She weighs 7 lbs, 15 oz and is 20 inches long. Both baby and mama are healthy! Congratulations to the Starke family

Bill Requiring On-Duty RNs at All Times Draws Support

The "Put a Nurse In the Nursing Home" bill introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois would require nursing homes to have a registered nurse on duty 24/7. It's drawn support from the Coalition of Geriatric Nursing Organizations, Consumer Voice and, most recently, the American Nurses Association.

Supporters of the bill believe that it would:

• Improve the quality of care nursing home residents receive
• Ensure the safety of residents in a way that isn't possible with the current eight-hour-per-day on-duty requirement 
• Allow the RN time to create care plans and evaluate and treat residents who were recently discharged from the hospital or are at risk for readmission

To learn more, click here.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SDS File Update

In response to OSHA’s Revised Hazard Communication Standard, a component of which requires manufacturers to streamline existing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to a standardized Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format, ProMed has begun collecting and posting new SDS files for you to download for your facility records. According to OSHA, the information contained in the SDS is largely the same as the MSDS, but now it is presented in a consistent, user-friendly, 16-section format.

OSHA requires that employers update their hazard communication program as necessary by June 1, 2016 and provide additional employee training for newly identified physical or health hazards as needed.1

ProMed is gathering and posting SDS sheets on our website as they become available from manufacturers. Due to the volume of this conversion, not all SDS files have yet been received and posted. We will include a monthly update in LTC Connection alerting you to the new SDS files we have received and posted on the site.

If you are in immediate need of a specific file that has not yet been posted online, please contact our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 and we will be happy to assist you.

To view and download the updated SDS files, please take the following steps:

1. Go to promedsupply.com
2. Log on to the site. (If you do not have existing login credentials, please call our Customer Care team at (800) 648-5190 to obtain them.)
3. On the right-hand side of the page, under the Search box, click on the blue “Download SDS forms” link. This will bring you to the SDS landing page. 
4. On the SDS landing page, SDS files are organized by ProMed item number. To locate the file you need, you can either scroll through the list of files or use the Search box at the top of the list to quickly locate a specific product.
5. Click on the file name to open the file. The files are in PDF format. Once they are opened, they can be printed or saved to your computer. 
6. For added convenience, SDS files are also posted under the “Specifications/SDS” tab on individual product pages.  

If you have any questions at all, please reach out to your ProMed territory manager or give us a call
at (800) 648-5190.

Reference
1 Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Hazard Communication Standard Final Rule. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/HCSFactsheet.html. Accessed June 30, 2015.

The Other SAD: Summer-Onset Seasonal Affective Disorder

When you think of seasonal affective disorder, chances are you associate it with the shorter, darker days of fall and winter. However, for about 10 percent of people with the disorder, the onset of spring and summer can trigger symptoms. Experts aren't exactly sure why this happens, but longer days and increasing heat and humidity could play a role.

Symptoms of summer-onset seasonal affective disorder, also known as summer depression, include:

• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Weight loss 
• Poor appetite
• Increased sex drive

Symptoms might start out mild and become more severe as the season progresses. 

While it's not uncommon to feel down, people who are depressed for days at a time and lack the motivation to do activities they normally enjoy should see a doctor. 

To learn more, click here. 

Think Sun Safety This Fourth of July

Before you head outside with your residents this Fourth of July weekend, make sure you have a sun safety plan in place!

We recommend taking the following steps:

• Ask residents' families to purchase sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottles and hats for their loved ones. Ensure that the residents' names are written on the items.
• Encourage residents to wear lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirts to protect them from the sun's rays.
• Medications and some medical treatments can make residents more susceptible to sunburns. The nursing department should make a list of all sun-sensitive residents.
• Residents should be encouraged to come indoors periodically to cool off and prevent sunburn.

Once you have a sun safety plan in place, get outside and celebrate Independence Day!

OSHA Expands Hazards List, Nursing Homes to Face Tougher Scrutiny

A new key hazard list from OSHA will lead to nursing homes facing tougher scrutiny. The expanded hazards include musculosketal disorders related to resident handling, workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens, tuberculosis and slips, trips and falls.

OSHA stated the goal of the expanded list is to reduce overexposure to these hazards through a combination of enforcement, compliance assistance and outreach. About half of all injuries to nursing home workers involve preventable musculoskeletal disorders that are often caused by movements used to lift, reposition and transfer residents. These disorders can include conditions such as tendonitis, muscle strains and lower back injuries.

To avoid unnecessary manual handling, OSHA said nursing homes must:

• Make sure they have an adequate number of lifts, assistive devices and accessories for each resident requiring a lift 
• Ensure they  have enough charged batteries to power the assistive devices throughout an entire shift 

To read the memo, click here.

Fourth of July Order Cutoff Reminder

With the Independence Day holiday approaching, we want to remind you that ProMed will be closed on Friday, July 3. Orders placed after noon on Monday, June 29 will be delivered by Thursday, July 2. Orders placed after noon on June 29 will be delivered the week of July 6.

Please call our Customer Care Team at 800.648.5190 with any questions or concerns.

Create a Festive Summer “Fruit Cake”

Are you looking for a Fourth of July treat that’s healthier than the standard cookies or cupcakes? This “fruit cake” is sure to be a hit and your residents will enjoy helping you put it together!

Ingredients

• 1 whole seedless watermelon (try to find one that isn’t too bumpy) 
• 1 bunch red or green grapes, or a mixture of both 
• Other assorted fruits of your choice, such as strawberries, star fruit, cantaloupe or pineapple. These will be used to “decorate” your cake, so purchase as many or as few as you like. Avoid fruits with seeds or pits, such as cherries, unless you plan to remove the seeds before serving.

Other items needed

• Serrated knife
• Large spoon or melon baller
• Serving platter
• Toothpicks
• Cookie cutters (optional)

Assembly

1. Wash all fruit.
2. Use a large serrated knife to cut off the ends of the watermelon. Place the melon on a flat surface and carefully trim off the rind. Use your knife to carve the watermelon into a rough cake shape. Don't worry about it being perfect – the other fruits will help hide lumps and bumps.
3. Using your spoon or melon baller, create a small indented “well” on the top of the watermelon. This will help keep fruit from rolling off the top of the cake.
4. Place the watermelon on a serving platter.
5. Begin decorating by placing grapes around the bottom and top of the watermelon to imitate piped frosting. Secure the grapes with toothpicks where needed.
6. Now it’s time to get creative with the other fruit! If you have cookie cutters on hand, you might enjoy cutting the fruit into fun and festive shapes, such as stars (of course, if you picked up star fruit, you simply need to slice it to get the start shape). If you don’t have cookie cutters, slices and squares are just as tasty. You can also use your melon baller to create round shapes.
7. Once you have the fruit cut up, use the toothpicks to affix it to the sides of the cake in the pattern of your choice.
8. Finish by placing fruit in the well you created on the top of the watermelon.
9. Refrigerate until ready to serve, then cut and serve just like you would a regular cake. Be sure to warn residents about the toothpicks to avoid a choking hazard, or remove them before serving.

Congratulations, Joe Green!

Congratulations to ProMed Regional Sales Manager Joe Green and his wife, Christina, on the birth of their daughter! Norah Marie Green arrived on June 20 and weighed in at 7 pounds, 20 inches. Congratulations to the Green family!

Proposed House Budget Eliminates AHRQ

If the House Appropriations Committee's proposed FY 2016 Health & Human Services budget passes, the Agency for Health Research and Quality will be no more.

The AHRQ, which currently receives $465 million funding, is tasked with developing evidence-based care and health information technology. If the budget plan passes, the agency's duties would be split up among other HHS programs.

To learn more, click here.

Equip Your Facility for Bariatric Residents

Obesity has been rapidly increasing in the United States over the past two decades. Beyond being a major health concern, obesity can also have implications for how your facility provides care.  According to the most current data from the CDC, 35.4 percent of adults over the age of 60 are obese. (To be considered obese, an adult needs to have a body mass index, or BMI, of 30 or higher.)

The increasing number of obese seniors is leading to facilities bringing in new, specially designed equipment because standard-sized products might not be able to accommodate residents with bariatric proportions. Fortunately, manufacturers are in tune with the rise in obesity and have developed products with this population in mind.

ProMed’s comprehensive Bariatric Equipment & Accessories product category was designed to help you meet the special needs of this group. We offer:

• Beds and accessories
• Commodes and shower chairs
• Mattresses, including dynamic air and foam 
• Lifts and slings
• Wheelchairs and recliners 
• Scales

Our highly trained territory managers are ready to help you address your facility’s specific bariatric product needs. To connect with us, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com. Click here to view our bariatric product lineup.

FDA Gives Food Manufacturers Three Years to Ditch Trans Fats

The FDA has given food manufacturers three years to remove partially hydrogenated oils (or PHOs) from products. PHOs are the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods. The agency noted in their press release that PHOs are not generally recognized as safe for use in human food.

The agency anticipates this action will reduce coronary heart disease and prevent thousands of fatal heart attacks every year.

Since 2006, when the FDA began requiring manufacturers to include trans fat content on the Nutrition Facts food label, trans fat consumption has decreased by about 78 percent. However, the amount still being consumed remains a concern.

The three-year compliance period will allow manufacturers to either reformulate their food products without PHOs and/or petition the FDA to permit specific uses of PHOs. After the compliance period has expired, no PHOs can be added to human food unless doing so is approved by the FDA.

To read the FDA's press release, click here.

ProMed Has Your Personal Care Solutions

There’s no need to run to a drugstore to get the products your residents count on for daily personal care and grooming. ProMed’s complete suite of personal care items has everything you need! Just like everything else ProMed offers, you can be confident that these products will deliver best-in-class performance at a great value.

We offer:

• Dispenser and refill systems for shampoo and body wash
• Bathing products, including shampoo, body wash, rinse-free shower caps and premoistened washcloths
• Grooming accessories, such as razors, shaving cream, hairbrushes and combs, deodorant, nail care tools and body powder
• Female hygiene products, including sanitary pads in multiple styles and absorbencies
• Oral care essentials, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, oral swabs, lip balm, floss and denture care and storage solutions

To learn more about our personal care product line, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

Study: Environmental Stimuli Reduce Apathy in Residents with Dementia

A new study has found that residents with dementia are less likely to experience apathy when the long-term care facilities where they reside provide strong environmental stimulation.

According to the researcher, roughly 90 percent of residents with dementia experience apathy. As a result, they are less likely to socialize with other residents or engage in everyday activities. Studies have linked apathy to a swifter decline in residents with dementia.

The researcher was able to conclude that residents were less likely to experience apathy at facilities that provided clear and strong stimuli in areas such as ambiance, lights, sounds and staff familiarity with residents. Residents showed greater apathy at facilities that were either less stimulating or overwhelming.

To learn more, click here.

Prevention through Education

One of ProMed's greatest strengths is educating customers on the use of our products. Our all-shift in- service presentations and exclusive in-service guides help your staff become comfortable with the best-in-class products available exclusively from ProMed. The in-service guides are also perfect additions to your orientation packets!

Customized in-servicing is available for a wide variety of products, including diabetic care, incontinence care, enteral nutrition, skin care, wound care, ostomy care, syringes and sharps, pill crushing and more!

During a ProMed in-service, our knowledgeable reps will:

• Bring in product samples to show your staff
• Explain why a product change is being made
• Demonstrate use of the product
• Discuss any relevant industry and regulatory information
• Ask key questions to ensure everyone understands correct product usage
• Ask your team to complete In-Service Evaluation forms so that we can use your feedback to make our programming as valuable as possible
• Follow up to ensure a smooth transition

We hope that you will allow your staff to get to know us as your facility's medical supply distributor and encourage them to come to us if they have a question or concern. We want to be your trusted advisors!

Click here to download the In-Service Request Form!

Study: 2.5 Million More LTC Workers Needed by 2030

Young people pondering their career choices would be wise to take a look at long-term care. According to a new study out of the University of California at San Francisco, at least 2.5 million more LTC workers will be needed within 15 years to keep up with the aging population. 

By 2030, roughly 20 percent of Americans will be 65 years or older. Of those, the researchers believe about 19 million will require long-term care. This figure is more than double the 8 million adults who needed care in 2000. To arrive at this figure, the researchers analyzed LTC usage trends according to resident age, gender and race. 

The LTC careers that are expected to grow the most by 2030 include counselors, social workers, community and social service workers and home health and personal care aides. 

To learn more, click here. 

Nursing Home Offers Opportunity for Children, Residents to Learn from Each Other

Sometimes the things that we stumble across on the Internet warm our hearts. This video, for example. It's the trailer for a documentary titled Present Perfect, which addresses aging in America - both in terms of growing up and growing old.

The film is based on the experiences of those enrolled in the Intergenerational Learning Center at Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle. "The Mount," as it is known, is home to more than 400 older adults and those who need some extra help. The 125 infants and young children enrolled in the Intergenerational Learning Center, a licensed child care center open to the community and Mount St. Vincent employees, are given the opportunity five days a week to interact with Mount residents in planned activities such as music, art and storytelling,

Check out the video above - and then let us know who you think is learning more!

To learn more about Providence Mount St. Vincent, click here.

Understanding Ostomy Surgeries

Ostomy surgery is performed when, for medical reasons, a person is not able to urinate or move their bowels normally. While these surgeries can ultimately help residents live more independent lives and enjoy improved health, they can also be daunting. It’s crucial that caregivers at your facility understand the different types of ostomy surgery and how to provide optimal care to affected residents.

During ostomy surgery, an opening called a stoma is created in the abdomen. Depending on the situation, a stoma can be either temporary or permanent. There are three primary types of ostomy surgery: colostomy, ileostomy and urostomy.

A colostomy is created out of the end of the large intestine, or colon. Colostomies divert waste from the digestive system. People who have had colostomy surgery pass waste through a stoma on the abdomen, the location of which is determined by which part of the colon is damaged.

During an ileostomy surgery, a stoma is created in the small intestine, or ileum. Because the ileum contains digestive enzymes and acids, extra care needs to be taken to protect the skin from irritation. People who undergo colostomy or ileostomy surgery will need to use collection pouches following the procedure because they will no longer have voluntary control of their bowel movements.

Urostomy surgery helps urine flow from the body after a diseased or damaged portion of the urinary tract is removed. Following the surgery, a pouch or collection device collects urine as it is produced. These devices have a drainage tap on the bottom of them that allows urine to be emptied throughout the day.

Professional Medical’s exclusive Compliance Continuing Education program offers a number of courses to help your staff understand ostomy care, including product selection, skin management and caring for the resident post-surgery. To learn more about this program, which covers more than 20 wide-ranging categories and is appropriate for the majority of your nursing staff, contact your ProMed Territory Manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.

CDC: Individuals, Communities Should Take Steps to Halt Melanoma

According to the CDC, melanoma (deadly skin cancer) rates have doubled over the last 30 years. The good news is that comprehensive protection programs could prevent 20 percent of new cases between 2020 and 2030.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, leading to more than 9,000 deaths per year. More than 90 percent of melanoma skin cancers are caused by skin cell damage from UV radiation exposure. Over the past three decades, melanoma rates have skyrocketed from 11.2 per 100,000 people in 1982 to 22.7 per 100,000 people in 2011.

To help halt this trend, the CDC is recommending both individual and community prevention efforts.

Individuals should:

• Wear a hat and clothes that cover the skin while outdoors
• Seek out shade, especially in the middle of the day, when rays are most intense 
• Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen 

Additionally, the CDC is encouraging communities to: 

• Increase shade on playgrounds, at public pools and in other public spaces
• Promote sun protection in recreational areas
• Encourage employers, childcare centers, schools and college to provide education on sun safety and skin protection
• Restrict the availability and use of indoor tanning by minors 

To learn more, click here.

Four Reasons to Eat Your Veggies

Just in case you need more reasons to dig into this summer's abundant vegetables, check out the following four ways that they can lead to a healthier you!

1. They fight bloat. Veggies contain a lot of fiber, which helps flush waste and gastric irritants out of the body. Fiber also helps prevent constipation by keeping the digestive tract moving. 
2. They hydrate the skin and help fight wrinkles. Many veggies are 85 percent to 95 percent water. They also contain phytonutrients and vitamin C, which can help prevent premature aging. 
3. They reduce stress. Vegetables contain key nutrients, including magnesium and vitamin C, that are quickly depleted during stressful times. They also contain tension-reducing omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins to help fight depression and anxiety. 
4. They protect your bones. Like dairy foods, vegetables contain high levels of calcium and vitamin D. Some veggies also contain bone-builders such as vitamin K, magnesium, potassium and prebiotic fiber. 

To learn more, click here. 

OIG: $1.8 Billion in Recoveries So Far in FY2015

In the first six months of fiscal year 2015, the Office of the Inspector General, or OIG, has recovered $1.8 billion from healthcare providers and programs, the agency reported in their "Semiannual Report to Congress."

Other report highlights include:

• Of the funds recovered, $142 million were related to non-HHS matters, resulting from work in Medicaid restoration
• 486 reports of criminal actions against individuals who took part in crimes against HHS 
• 326 civil actions, including false claims, against healthcare providers
• 1,735 exclusions involving healthcare providers 
• Charges against 69 individuals or organizations, plus $163 million in recoveries, through OIG's partnership with StrikeForce, Medicare fraud teams that identify and prosecute fraud 

To learn more, click here.

CMS: States Must Screen High-Risk Medicaid Providers

According to new guidance from CMS, states have until the end of July to begin screening high-risk Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) providers.

These screenings would involve fingerprint-based criminal background checks and would occur after a state Medicaid agency has been deemed high risk, or susceptible to improper payments. Providers considered high risk by Medicare are also be considered high risk by state Medicaid agencies. Background checks must be completed by June 1, 2016.

Those who would be required to undergo background checks include the high-risk provider as well as anyone with a 5 percent or more direct or indirect ownership interest in the provider.

To read the guidance, click here.

Equipping You with Quality

Our new Featured Equipment Solutions catalog is hot off the press! Ask your Territory Manager for a copy today to learn more about the high-quality pieces available from ProMed, including:

• Mobility aids
• Beds, furnishings and lifts
• Bath systems
• Mattresses and support surfaces
• Respiratory units
• Enteral delivery systems
• Fall prevention and safety items
• Clinical and diagnostic tools

If you’re in the market for furniture and don’t see exactly what you want in our catalog, reach out to your territory manager to learn more about our custom solutions! Our team will work with you to design products that meet your specifications and match your décor. We partner with the most respected furniture manufacturers in the industry and you can rest assured that you’ll get what you want at a competitive price. Click here to see pictures of our happy furniture customers on Facebook (and be sure to “like” our page while you’re there)!

Ready to learn more? Contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.