The Technical User’s Guide provides a comprehensive description of the design of the Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Rating System. In April 2019, several changes were made to the document. To get the latest release, please click HERE.
CMS Changes to Nursing Home Compare and Five-Star Ratings Explained
A recent blog post from bakerdonelson.com provides a brief overview of the 2019 changes to Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. Following is a summary of that blog. To read the entire blog, please click HERE. Health Inspection Domain: The methodology for the health inspection rating returned to what it was prior to February 2018. Specifically, results …
CAHPS Nursing Home Surveys Available for Download
The CAHPS Nursing Home Surveys include three standardized instruments designed to gather information on the experiences of adult nursing home residents and their family members. Each instrument is designed to meet a different need: Long-Stay Resident Survey. An in-person structured interview for long-term residents. Discharged Resident Survey. A questionnaire for recently discharged short-stay residents. Family Member Survey. A questionnaire that asks family members …
CMS Revises State Operations Manual
Appendix Q to the State Operations Manual (SOM), which provides guidance for identifying immediate jeopardy, has been revised. The revision creates a Core Appendix Q that will be used by surveyors of all provider and supplier types in determining when to cite immediate jeopardy. CMS has drafted subparts to Appendix Q that focus on immediate jeopardy concerns occurring in nursing …
CMS Enforcement of Non-Improving Late Adopters
Since 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has seen a reduction of in long-stay nursing home residents who were receiving an antipsychotic medication. Despite the success of the National Partnership, as of January 2019, there are 235 late adopter nursing homes that have been cited for noncompliance with federal regulations related to unnecessary medications or psychotropic medications two …
CMS Emergency Preparedness – Updates to Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual (SOM)
Read the latest updates to Appendix Z of the SOM that reflect changes to add emerging infectious diseases to the definition of all-hazards approach, new Home Health Agency (HHA) citations and clarifications under alternate source power and emergency standby systems. https://healthcapusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/QSO19-06-ALL.pdf
Change Package to Prevent Harm Available
Available for download from QIO Program is the All Cause Harm Prevention in Nursing Homes Change Package. The Change Package is a description and list of successful practices of high-performing nursing homes (i.e., how they prevent harm while honoring each resident’s rights and preferences), organized by overarching themes, and includes strategies to prevent specific adverse events and abuse. The Change Package can be …
Pharmacy – Controlled Substances Rules Revised
Michigan Michigan’s Bureau of Professional Licensing (BPL) within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has revised the Pharmacy – Controlled Substances Rules and the changes are effective immediately. Below is a summary of the significant changes to the rules: R 338.3125 – Adds gabapentin to the schedule 5 drug list as a controlled substance. R 338.3135 – Opioid …