News

Preventing Ingestion-related Adverse Events

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota has recently updated a Property/Grounds Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Tool (Ingestion-related events) as a guide to conduct regular safety checks to ensure that your property and grounds are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

Updated SNF QRP User’s Manual Now Available

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quality Measures Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 4.0 is now available. Changes go into effect on Oct. 1.

New SNF QRP Measure Begins Oct. 1

On August 25, 2022 by Julie Apold

Care centers must track and report flu vaccination information to the CDC this fall.

The reporting period for the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) measure "Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel" (HCP) begins Oct. 1.

CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule; Includes Cuts Related to Impact of PDPM

On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers.

Weekend Staffing and Staff Turnover Data Added to Five-Star Quality Ratings

On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold

The July 2022 Care Compare refresh includes the addition of nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend nurse staffing levels to the Five-Star Quality Ratings. The refresh also consists of a change to how staffing scores can impact a nursing home's Overall Five-Star Quality Rating.

Safe Care Stories from the Field: Cuyuna Regional Medical Center

On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center: Shift-to-Shift Team Safety and Dignity Rounds

Today, we highlight a successful Safe Care practice from Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Crosby – Change of Shift Nursing Team Rounds. Jenny Pederson, RN, Quality Care Coordinator for the Care Center, is leading this new practice. It takes approximately five minutes during shift change and prioritizes residents' safety and dignity.

New Dietary Safety Video Available

On June 16, 2022 by Julie Apold

Are you interested in improving your mealtime safety practices but don't know where to start? LeadingAge Minnesota, as part of Safe Care, has developed a new video demonstrating two essential dietary safety practices – Pre-Meal Huddles and Dietary Safety Pauses.

Safe Care Begins with You in 2022

On May 5, 2022 by Julie Apold

After over two years of COVID-19, we invite you to join us in the latest Safe Care Living the Pledge activity, called “Living the Pledge Every Day.” In a few weeks, we will share easy-to-use tools and resources to refocus on the key components of the Safe Care Pledge through monthly activities that you can bring to your community. They will help your organization celebrate and renew your commitment to respect, dignity, safety, and quality of life for those we serve.

Early Bird Pricing Ends April 15 for PENworks Conference

On April 7, 2022 by Julie Apold

Early bird registration for PENworks 2022 ends on April 15. Don't miss this opportunity to gain powerful insights on improving organizational and community outcomes and bring home real methods, tools, and approaches that improve leadership, customer and workforce engagement, and financial and market results. 

Special Member Pricing for May PENworks Conference

On March 10, 2022 by Julie Apold

Through our partnership with the Performance Excellence Network (PEN), LeadingAge Minnesota members receive discounted registration for the May PENworks Conference. This year’s conference theme is “CHARTING THE COURSE: Leading Forward” and features over 25 local, regional and national speakers, each sharing best practices centered on visionary leadership, organizational resilience, valuing people, and innovation. 

New Safe Care Resource Available to Prevent Dietary Safety Events

On March 3, 2022 by Julie Apold

Pre-meal safety checks can help prevent harmful mistakes related to food allergies and modified food textures. A new LeadingAge Minnesota Safe Care resource, Preventing Dietary Safety Events, is available to address these two dietary safety issues that have emerged from analysis of OHFC substantiated event reports and Immediate Jeopardy citations:

Re-Commit to Safe Care as Quality Garners Support from White House

On March 3, 2022 by Julie Apold

With a goal of eliminating preventable harm in the course of caregiving, the LeadingAge Minnesota Safe Care initiative directly addresses the White House’s recent call for nursing homes to prevent resident harm and improve safety and quality.

DHS Ends Current Round of Assisted Living Report Card Resident Satisfaction Surveys

On March 3, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that they are ending this current round of Assisted Living Resident Satisfaction surveys. The surveys are currently being conducted under contract by Vital Research.

As Details of White House Nursing Home Proposal Emerge, More Questions Arise

On March 3, 2022 by LeadingAge

This week President Biden announced a wide-ranging nursing home reform initiative to be implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The announcement was timed to coincide with the State of the Union Address, but President Biden made only a very brief reference to one small part of his reform package in his speech Tuesday evening. After analyzing the proposal, we have more questions than answers, and the timeline for change is unclear.

New Quick Guide to Understanding State & Federal Nursing Home Quality Measures & Programs

On February 17, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota is offering a new quick guide to help members understand state- and federal-level nursing home quality initiatives.

The Data Sub-Committee of the LeadingAge Minnesota Quality, Safety & Performance Excellence Committee developed Understanding the Quality Measures: A Quick Guide to Federal and State Care Center Quality Measures & Programs.

New CMS Resource Available: SNF QRP Public Reporting Tip Sheet

On February 3, 2022 by Julie Apold

CMS has issued a Second Edition Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) COVID-19 Public Reporting Tip Sheet to help providers understand CMS' public reporting approach to the SNF QRP to account for CMS quality data submissions that were either optional or excepted from public reporting due to the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE).

Institute Pre-Conference Sessions Offer Deep Dive, Great Value

On January 6, 2022 by Heidi Simpson

Two Pre-Conference Intensive Sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 8, provide deep-dive learning on essential issues. They offer excellent add-on value to the Institute experience and can be attended whether you are registered for the Institute or not. Separate registration and fee are required.

Sign Up Deadline Fast Approaching for Rapid Evaluation Team Implementation Collaborative

On January 6, 2022 by Julie Apold

Register by Jan. 14 to join your colleagues in building effective Rapid Evaluation Teams that can save lives and provide support and assurance to staff. By joining the Rapid Evaluation Team (RET) Implementation Collaborative, you will participate in six monthly 30-minute sessions designed to support you in implementing or strengthening one step of your rapid response process each month.

2022 Institute Features Quality Conference and Foundations Bootcamp

On December 23, 2021 by Julie Apold

The Institute & Expo in February includes a full Quality & Patient Safety Conference-within-a-Conference within the conference, plus a full day Foundations of Quality Improvement Boot Camp as a pre-conference option.

Reminder: Heating Units Can Pose Risks to Residents

On December 23, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

With winter upon us, it's an excellent time to consider the risks that heating units can potentially create for residents in nursing homes and assisted living settings.