CDC Report: Healthcare Workers Account for 60 Percent of OSHA-Recordable Injuries

According to a new report from the CDC, nurses and nurse assistants accounted for nearly 60 percent of all identified OSHA-recordable injuries from 2012 to 2014.

The most costly injuries were musculoskeletal in nature. In 2011, healthcare workers experienced seven times more musculoskeletal injuries than the national rate. The CDC said there were multiple reasons this could be the case, including:

• Overweight, obese and acutely ill residents
• High resident-to-nurse ratios
• Long shifts
• Efforts to mobilize residents almost immediately after medical interventions

Of the 10,680 injuries reported to OSHA between 2012 and 2014:

• 4,674 involved resident handling and movement
• 3,972 were the result of slips, trips and falls
• 2,034 resulted from workplace violence

To view the report and learn more, click here. 

OCR: Round Two of HIPAA Audits Coming Soon

The Health & Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is recommending that long-term care providers begin preparing as soon as possible for the second round of HIPAA compliance audits this year, but the agency stopped short of saying when exactly the audits would begin.

Approximately 110 providers will be singled out for the audits.

The OCR recommends performing security and risk analyses, updating privacy and security incident response plans and automating privacy and security investigation, tracking and management protocols to prepare for the audits.

Providers are encouraged to watch for the protocols for phase two of HIPAA audits to appear on the OCR website. Audits will likely begin around 90 days after the protocols are posted.

To learn more, click here.

Diabetes in the Elderly: A Snapshot

According to the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report, 29.1 million people, or the 9.3 percent of the U.S. population, have diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. Of those, 11.2 million are adults age 65 or older, which has major implications for long-term care.1

The report also included the following statistics1:

• In 2012, 400,000 new cases of diabetes were diagnosed in adults 65 years and older.
• Thirty-seven percent of adults aged 20 or older had prediabetes; of that group, 51 percent were age 65 or older.
• The total yearly cost of diabetes in the U.S. is estimated at $245 billion. Of that, $176 billion is spent on direct medical costs while $69 billion is spent on indirect costs including disability, work loss and premature death.

The American Medical Association (AMA) and CDC have partnered to launch Prevent Diabetes STAT, an evidence-based diabetes prevention program aimed at helping individuals and facilities prevent type 2 diabetes. The program challenges providers to screen residents for prediabetes, test at-risk residents using an approved blood test and then encourage residents with prediabetes to follow a diabetes prevention program. Healthcare providers can download a program toolkit here that includes a fact sheet, diabetes risk assessment questionnaire for use with residents, posters, handouts and more.

Professional Medical proudly offers the CareSens N blood glucose monitoring system, which provides safe, convenient and painless results. To learn more about this system and our other diabetes management products, 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. National Diabetes Statistics Report, 2014. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-web.pdf. Accessed April 15, 2015. 

ProMed Memorial Day Closure Notice

Professional Medical will be closed Monday, May 25, 2015 in honor of Memorial Day.

All Monday deliveries will be made on Tuesday, May 26. All Tuesday deliveries will be made on Wednesday, May 27.

Customers who typically order on Monday for Tuesday delivery should place their orders by noon on Friday, May 22.

Please call our Customer Care department at (800) 648-5190 if you have questions or concerns.

Study: People Who Feel Younger Live Longer

Need another excuse to not act your age?

Researchers in London have found that older people who felt three or more years younger than their chronological age had a lower death rate compared to those who felt their age or older. They also discovered that self-perceived age can affect assessments of health, physical limitations and well-being in later life.

The authors studied data from 6,489 people who averaged 65.8 years old but felt an average of 56.8 years old. They found that the mortality rates during an average follow-up of 99 months were 14.3 percent in adults who felt younger, 18.5 percent in those who felt about their age and 24.6 percent in adults who felt older than their actual age. There was a strong relationship between self-perceived age and cardiovascular death.

To learn more, click here. 

Study: Eat Cereal, Enjoy a Longer Life

If you enjoy starting your day with a bowl of Fiber One, you've now got another reason to dig in - researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health have found that eating a diet rich in cereal fiber can lead to a longer life.

According to the study, cereal-rich diets can lead to:

• A 19 percent overall reduced risk of death compared to those who ate the least amount of cereal fiber
• A 34 percent reduced risk of death from diabetes
• A 15 percent reduced risk of death from cancer 

If you're looking to get the daily serving associated with a reduced risk of death, you'll need to eat at least 10.22 grams of cereal fiber per day (based on a 1,000 kcal daily diet). Your best bet is to aim for cereals with "fiber" in their name or that list at least 10 grams of fiber per serving on the label. Unfortunately for lovers of marshmallow-laden and frosted options, dietitians recommend avoiding sugary cereals regardless of their fiber content.

To learn more, click here.

This Spring, Upgrade to Microfiber

Spring cleaning time is finally upon us! If you’re not getting the sparkling clean that you want as you prepare your facility for warmer temperatures, it’s time to take a look at microfiber.

Microfiber strands are several hundred times smaller than strands of cotton. During the manufacturing process, the microfiber strands are split, creating open spaces in the strand. These tiny openings help microfiber strands get into miniscule nooks and crannies to lift and trap dust, grime and moisture without damaging delicate surfaces.

Microfiber strands are also positively charged. Dirt and dust are negatively charged, so they’re attracted to microfiber like a magnet. Impurities stay trapped in the microfiber until they are rinsed out or released in the laundering process.

Microfiber products are perfect for both wet and dry applications and can be used on floors, walls, windows, furniture, restrooms, showers and more!

Other benefits of microfiber:

It’s more efficient

• Eliminates streaks, reducing cleaning time
• Absorbs up to seven times its weight
• Cleaning solutions go farther

It’s better for your bottom line 

• Reduced water and chemical use
• Lasts five to 10 times longer than conventional materials
• Cleans more efficiently, reducing labor and chemical costs

It’s better for the environment

• Fewer chemicals are used when clenaing with microfiber
• Uses less water, helping to preserve natural resources

To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com for additional information.

Resident Oral Health: Getting to the Root of Problems and Solutions

Many older Americans have oral health challenges, for a multitude of reasons. According to the CDC, poor oral health can be contributed to by1:

• A lack of dental insurance
• Not having any natural teeth (this is the case for about 25 percent of adults age 60 or older)
• A higher rate of new tooth decay
• Periodontal (gum) disease, the severity of which increases with age
• Oral and pharyngeal cancer, which are primarily diagnosed in the elderly
• Dry mouth caused by commonly used medications
• Conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease and stroke, which can affect oral sensory and motor functions

The good news is that you, as a caregiver, can help the residents at your facility prevent oral health decline. The CDC recommends taking the following steps to help seniors maintain oral health1:

• Serve residents fluoridated water and use fluoride toothpaste for brushing
• Take your time while brushing and flossing to ensure that dental plaque is being removed (this helps prevent periodontal disease)
• Ensure residents have access to routine dental services
• Encourage residents to avoid using tobacco (smokers have seven times the risk of developing periodontal disease as non-smokers as well as an increased risk of developing oral and throat cancers and oral fungal infections)
• Seek professional care for the resident if they have sudden changes in smell or taste
• If a medication is causing dry mouth, ask the physician if an alternate drug is available; if not, encourage the resident to drink plenty of water

In addition to the CDC’s recommendations, Tags F411 F412 also require that facilities provide access to emergency and routine dental services, assist residents with making appointments if needed, arrange transportation to and from the dentist’s office and promptly refer residents with lost or damaged dentures to a dentist.2

Professional Medical’s skilled territory managers are ready to connect you with the products you need for your facility’s comprehensive oral health program. To learn more, contact your territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.


References
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Oral Health for Older Americans. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/factsheets/adult_oral_health/adult_older.htm. Accessed April 8, 2015.

2 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities (Rev. 133, 02-06-15). Available at: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2015.

Study: Acetaminophen Reduces Pleasure In Addition to Pain

A new study published in Psychological Science found that acetaminophen not only reduces pain, but pleasure as well.

The researchers determined that acetaminophen narrows the range of feelings a person experiences. It was already known that it "blunts" psychological pain. but the revelation about pleasure is new.

During the study, college students were either given 1,000 mg (considered an "acute" dose) of acetaminophen or a placebo with the same appearance. They were then shown a series of highly pleasant and unpleasant pictures and asked to rate how pleasant or unpleasant they were. Those who received the acetaminophen ranked the photos less extremely than those who took the placebo.

The researchers plan to expand their study to determine if other pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and aspirin, have the same effect.

To learn more, click here.

ProHeal Liquid Supplements Heal Residents from Within

DermaRite’s new ProHeal line of liquid supplements was designed to take wound care to the next level. Each of the four ProHeal formulations was developed to assist with specific health concerns.

ProHeal™ is a medical food developed for the dietary management of wounds as well as other conditions that would benefit from extra protein intake, including hypoalbuminemia, involuntary weight loss, anorexia, protein calorie malnutrition, muscle wasting conditions such as AIDS and cancer, dialysis and bariatric surgery.

ProHeal™ Critical Care is a concentrated blend of hydrolyzed collagen and whey protein for maximum protein content and absorption. It also contains vitamin C and L-Arginine for collagen synthesis and increased blood flow to wound areas as well as zinc and copper, co-factors in connective tissue reproduction.

FiberHeal™ combines the laxative and stool-softening effects of fiber and FOS with all-natural sorbitol, which aids in gentle elimination without diarrhea. As part of a healthy diet, FiberHeal helps maintain regularity, lower cholesterol levels and support blood sugar control.

UTIHeal™ creates an environment that inhibits the growth of infection-causing bacteria while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the urinary tract. The concentrated cranberry-based formula also contains vitamin C, D-Mannose and Erythritol as well as FOS (Inulin) to promote urinary tract health and infection prevention.

To learn more about the Proheal line, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com for additional information.

CMS Proposed Payment Rate: 2016 Medicare Payments to Increase by $500 Million

Under an updated payment rate proposed by CMS on Wednesday, Medicare would increase skilled nursing facility reimbursements by $500 million in 2016. The 2016 rate would be a 1.4 percent increase over 2015

To determine the rate, CMS looks at the costs of goods and services needed to provide care. Inflation is taken into consideration and a pair of 0.6 percent required adjustments are applied.

To learn more, click here.

CMS Releases Electronic Staffing System Specs; System Becomes Mandatory In 2016

CMS has posted technical specifications showing long-term care facilities how to submit electronic staffing information that will be used by the Nursing Home Compare website and Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System to help consumers better understand staffing levels.

The submission system is known as the Payroll-Based Journal, or PBJ. PBJ allows staffing and census info to be collected on a regular and more frequent basis than it is currently collected, according to CMS, and it will also be auditable to ensure accuracy. All LTC facilities will have access to the system at no cost.

CMS plans to start collecting staffing and census data using PBJ on a voluntary basis beginning October 1, 2015. Using the system will become mandatory on July 1, 2016. Electronic submission was required under Section 6106 of the Affordable Care Act.

To view the specs on CMS's website, click here.

Incontinence Management Products: What to Use When

The number of absorbent product choices on the market can make it a challenge to find the perfect fit for your residents. We created the chart below to help!

Keep in mind that CMS recommends considering the severity of incontinence, gender, fit and ease of use when selecting an absorbent product. The agency notes that the benefits of these products include containing urine, providing protection for clothing and preserving residents’ dignity and comfort.1

Briefs 

Absorbency: Moderate to Ultimate

Good for: Bedridden residents, overnight use, heavy to complete urinary incontinence. bowel incontinence

Pull-Ups

Absorbency: Super to Ultimate

Good for: Ambulatory residents, light to severe urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence 

Pads and Male Guards 

Absorbency: Light to Ultimate 

Good for: Added absorbency inside regular undergarments or pull-ups, used as a system with reusable pants 

Liners

Absorbency: Moderate to Ultimate

Good for: Moderate to severe urinary output, bedridden residents, ambulatory residents 

Belted Undergarments

Absorbency: Light to Heavy 

Good for: Occasional accidents. frequent changes 

Underpads 

Absorbency: Moderate to Ultimate

Good for: Open airing, bed and furniture protection 

To learn more about our complete line of incontinence management products, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at 800.648.5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com. 

Reference

1 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. State Operations Manual. Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities (Rev. 133, 02-06-15). Available at: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_pp_guidelines_ltcf.pdf. Accessed March 31, 2015. 

Study: Impact-Absorbing Flooring Helps Prevent Fall Injuries

Researchers in Sweden have found that impact-absorbing flooring can provide measurable benefit in preventing injuries from falls.

The researchers, who say their work is the first "statistically significant" study on this topic, determined that impact-absorbing flooring can reduce injury rates by 59 percent over conventional flooring.

During the study, which took place over the course of two and a half years, the researchers recorded 254 falls on regular flooring and 77 on impact-absorbing flooring. They found that the injury/fall rate was 30.3 percent for falls on regular flooring and 16.9 percent for falls on impact-absorbing flooring. All of the subjects were female residents.

To learn more, click here.

CMS Issues Proposed Mental Health Parity Rule for Medicaid, CHIP

CMS has issued a proposed rule that would "align mental health and substance use disorder benefits for low-income Americans with benefits required of private health plans and insurance," according to a press release from the agency.

The proposed rule would apply certain provisions of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 to both Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Under the proposed rule:

• All beneficiaries who receive services through managed care organizations (MCOs) or alternative benefit plans would receive access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits, regardless of whether services are provided through MCOs or another service delivery system
• Plans must make the criteria for medical necessity determinations for mental health and substance abuse disorders available to beneficiaries and contracting providers 
• States would be required to make available to enrollees the reasons for any denial of reimbursement or payment for services related to mental health and substance use 
• States would still have flexibility in providing services through managed care delivery mechanisms other than Medicaid MCOs and must ensure that Medicaid MCO enrollees receive parity in services from these groups

To read the press release, click here.

Researchers: Reagan's Speeches Reveal Alzheimer's Clues

Researchers at Arizona State University say they have uncovered subtle hints of early dementia in some of the speeches Ronald Reagan gave before he was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994.

Specifically, the researchers uncovered anomalies in the President's speeches, such as use of repetitive words and substituting nonspecific terms such as "thing" for specific nouns. To uncover the patterns, they used an algorithm that analyzes changes in speech patterns.

The researchers point out that their findings do not provide any evidence that Reagan was impaired while he was in office. Instead, they hope their results could provide tools to spot the disease years before symptoms become clinically evident.

To learn more, click here.

QIOP Progress Report: Nursing Homes Reducing Adverse Drug Events, Pressure Ulcers, More

A new progress report from CMS's Quality Improvement Organization Program revealed significant reductions in adverse drug events, catheter use, wounds, the use of restraints and more. The Quality Improvement Organization Program is a five-year effort designed to enhance the quality of services that Medicare beneficiaries receive.

According to the report, the following achievements were accomplished in the more than 5,000  nursing homes participating in the program:

• 44,640 potential adverse drug events were prevented
• In 787 facilities, 3,374 pressure ulcers were prevented or healed
• 6,250 Medicare beneficiaries in 981 facilities are now restraint free 
• Medicare beneficiaries saw 85,149 fewer days with urinary catheters 

To learn more, click here.

Spotlight on Sharps Safety

Needlestick injuries are a serious concern in healthcare, with an estimated 5.6 million healthcare workers being at risk of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens, including HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and others.1 Are you doing everything you can to protect yourself and your employees?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a division of the CDC, recommends that healthcare employees take the following steps to protect themselves from needlestick injuries2:

• Avoid using needles when safe and effective alternatives are available
• Help your facility leaders select and evaluate devices with safety features
• Use the devices with safety features provided by your employer
• Avoid recapping needles
• Plan for safe handling and disposal before beginning any procedure involving needles
• Dispose of used needles promptly in appropriate sharps disposal containers
• Report all needlestick and other sharps-related injuries promptly to ensure you receive appropriate follow-up care
• Tell your employer about any hazards from needles that you see in the work environment
• Take part in bloodborne pathogen training and follow recommended infection prevention practices, including Hepatitis B vaccination

In addition to the steps listed above, NIOSH recommends healthcare employers do the following2:

• Analyze needlestick and other sharps-related injuries in the workplace to identify hazards and injury trends
• Set priorities and strategies for prevention by examining local and national information on needlestick injury risk factors and successful intervention efforts
• Ensure workers are properly trained on safely using and disposing of needles
• Modify work practices that pose a needlestick injury risk to make them safer
• Promote safety awareness in your facility
• Establish procedures for and encourage the timely reporting and follow-up of all needlestick and sharps-related injuries
• Evaluate the effectiveness of prevention efforts and provide feedback on performance

Professional Medical stocks safety syringes and sharps disposal systems to protect your residents and employees. To learn more, contact your ProMed territory manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com for additional information.

References
1 Occupational Safety & Health Administration. Needlestick/Sharps Injuries. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hospital/hazards/sharps/sharps.html. Accessed March 26, 2015.

2 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. ALERT: Preventing Needlestick Injuries in Health Care Settings. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2000-108/pdfs/2000-108.pdf. Accessed March 26, 2015. 

Counting Down to National Nurses Week 2015

We are exactly one month out from National Nurses Week 2015! Have you started planning how your facility will celebrate?

This year, National Nurses Week will be celebrated May 6-12. The theme of the celebration is "Ethical Practice. Quality Care."

If you're looking for ways to honor the nurses at your facility, you can download the National Nurses Week 2015 Resource Toolkit here.

To learn more about National Nurses Week, which is sponsored by the American Nurses Association, click here.

ProMed Easter Closure Reminder

As a reminder, ProMed will be closed on Friday, April 3 in honor of Good Friday/Easter.

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

SCOTUS: Providers Not Allowed to Sue for Higher Medicaid Rates

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5-4 vote that Medicaid residential providers cannot sue for higher reimbursements in order to address escalating costs.

The case originated in 2009 in Idaho, where providers sued the state over Medicaid reimbursements not keeping pace with rising medical costs.

To learn more, click here.