News

SNF Provider Preview Reports for Publicly Reported Measures Available

On June 26, 2018 by Julie Apold

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are now available for review prior to public display of the performance data on the Nursing Home Compare site.

A Focus on Falls Prevention: Join the New Assisted Living Learning & Improvement Collaborative

On June 19, 2018 by Julie Apold

Falls are one of the top categories of substantiated OHFC reports in Home Care/Assisted Living settings in Minnesota. Members should be taking the necessary steps to prevent falls in their community. Our new Assisted Living Fall Prevention Learning & Improvement Collaborative will give you the tools you need to implement an effective falls prevention program and reduce costs for your organization.  

CMS Finalizes Revisions to Remedies Policy

On June 19, 2018 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized revisions to its policies regarding mandatory immediate imposition of federal remedies. Quality Safety and Oversight Memorandum 18-18-NH describes the changes and replaces two Survey & Certification memos previously issued on this topic.  

Care Centers: QIIP Goal Due June 30

On June 19, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

This is a final reminder for care centers that your QIIP goal for the rate year beginning Jan. 1, 2020 is due June 30. 

Helpful Tips in RAI Manual on Care Area Assessments

On June 12, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

Chapter 4 of the RAI Manual is one of the least read and more important for quality outcomes. The in-depth discussion of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) expectations for care planning in care centers contains excellent training and examples of how to conduct a thorough assessment to correct a care plan problem. 

DHS Announces New Process to Improve Accuracy of QIIP Scores and Incentive Payments

On June 12, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

As we reported a few weeks ago, care centers are currently being asked by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to select a QIIP goal by June 30 for the rate year beginning Jan.1, 2020. 

Inaugural Long-Term Care Antibiotic Stewardship Honor Roll Honorees Announced

On June 4, 2018 by Julie Apold

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently announced the inaugural list of organizations honored for their demonstrated commitment to antibiotic stewardship. Congratulations to the following LeadingAge Minnesota members who were recognized for their efforts on this important topic: 

Assisted Living Learning & Improvement Collaborative on Fall Prevention - Register Today!

On June 4, 2018 by Julie Apold

It is estimated that up to 50 percent of individuals residing in assisted living experience one or more falls annually, and between 10 percent – 25 percent of these falls result in serious injuries requiring medical attention. In addition, falls is one of the top categories of substantiated OHFC reports in Home Care/Assisted Living settings in Minnesota. Implementing an effective falls prevention program in the assisted living setting has the potential to reduce falls, improve quality of life and reduce costs for your organization. 

Time to Select New QIIP Goals

On May 22, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently prepared the data needed for all care centers in the Medical Assistance program to select a new goal to work on for another round of the Quality Improvement Incentive Payment Program (QIIP). Each year, based on their progress toward the goal they select, care centers receive a rate increase of up to $3.50 per resident day. 

New C. diff Toolkit for Long-Term Care

On May 22, 2018 by Julie Apold

Clostridium difficile (C. diff) causes almost half a million infections yearly, with more than 100,000 occurring among residents in long-term care. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has developed a new toolkit to help prevent and manage C. diff infection in long-term care. 

LeadingAge Minnesota Members Share Outcomes at Performance Excellence Panel Presentation

On May 15, 2018 by Julie Apold

Three LeadingAge Minnesota members represented the Performance Excellence in Aging Services program and shared how they are driving continuous quality improvement in their organizations during a panel presentation at the 2018 PENWorks Conference on May 3.  

Care Centers: New Reports on Hospitalization Rates and Community Discharge

On May 15, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

Detailed trend reports for care centers on two new quality measures – hospitalization rates and rate of discharge back to the community – are now available from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). 

New Analysis on Proposed SNF Payment Rule

On May 9, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

As we covered in last week’s Advantage, the new proposed payment system from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for skilled nursing facilities will be the first year where Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) will be implemented. LeadingAge has prepared a detailed analysis of the proposed changes to the VBP program and the Quality Reporting Program. 

Now Available: Care Center Resident Quality of Life and Family Satisfaction Survey Results

On May 9, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently posted updated results for both the Resident Quality of Life survey and Family Satisfaction survey to the MN Nursing Home Report Card web site. 

May 17 Workshop Delivers Tools for Effective Strategic Planning

On May 1, 2018 by Heidi Simpson

Bring your team to discover new tools and approaches to your strategic planning process. As part of LeadingAge Minnesota’s Performance Excellence in Aging Services platform, the May 17 workshop A Systematic and Effective Approach to Strategic Planning unfolds the strategic planning process from preparation and prioritization to deployment and sustaining the plan. 

New Assisted Living Certificate Program – Registration Open Soon

On April 25, 2018 by Heidi Simpson

Last week’s newsletter included a preview of our new Assisted Living Certificate Program, a combined series with separate tracks for Assisted Living/Housing with Services Managers and Nurse Managers. 

This program will be offered in the spring and the fall of 2018. Registration will be open very soon and is expected to fill quickly. Watch the LeadingAge Minnesota website and your email for registration announcement.

PIPP Deadline is May 1

On April 25, 2018 by Jodi Boyne

The deadline for submitting a Performance-Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) proposal is midnight on May 1. 

DHS Posts Quality of Life, Discharge Data

On April 10, 2018 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services posted new data regarding Quality of Life and Hospitalizations/Community Discharge to the Nursing Facility Provider Portal. 

HSS Regional Hubs Will Focus on Mentoring, ICan Kickoff

On March 27, 2018 by Laura Lutgens

Our spring Health Support Specialist (HSS) regional hubs that begin next week will deliver on a core foundation of apprenticeship: mentoring. 

2017 Quality Indicators Posted to DHS Provider Portal

On March 20, 2018 by Elizabeth Sether, RN, MHA, LNHA

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has posted new quality indicators for care centers to the Nursing Facility Provider Portal. The indicators cover the period of Jan. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2017.