by Keri McDermott | Sep 28, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Nursing Home Quality
CMS asked us to pass along this memo on NHSN Point of Care Laboratory Reporting/SAMS access for COVID-19. Upgrade SAMS Access to Utilize New Point of Care Laboratory Reporting Pathway in NHSN CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network will release a new reporting...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 28, 2020 | Featured, Patient Safety
As the temperatures drop, the risk of a fall increases. Slippery driveways, cluttered entries and lack of handrails are just a few of the home hazards contributing to fall-related injuries and even death for older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 22, 2020 | Featured, Medication Safety
Access to geriatric care improves the quality of life for patients and residents in our communities. Great Plains Quality Innovation Network is partnering with the University of North Dakota to improve access to care for patients with complex conditions in rural and...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 22, 2020 | Behavioral Health Outcomes, Covid-19, Featured
Those with symptoms of COVID-19 may receive a nasal or throat swab test to confirm a diagnosis. For the growing number of Americans reporting symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorders, diagnosis is a far more complex process. According to a recent study from the...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 21, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Nursing Home Quality
For maximum flexibility, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) now offers three online, self-paced options for COVID-19 infection control training for nursing homes. While completion of any of these trainings is no longer tied to Coronavirus Aid,...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 21, 2020 | CMS News, Featured
CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 21, 2020 | Featured, Patient Safety
The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has released a new report to guide advances towards reduced harm and safer care throughout the healthcare system. The report, developed by the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety, consists of 17 recommendations to...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 15, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Immunizations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated their Frequently Asked Influenza (Flu) Questions for the 2020 – 2021 Season. Access it here. While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, CDC believes it’s likely...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 15, 2020 | Covid-19, Featured, Great Plains QIN
Telemedicine is breaking into the mainstream healthcare environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The University of Michigan National Poll on Health Aging found the percentage of older adults participating in telehealth increased from 4 percent in May 2019 to 30...
by Keri McDermott | Sep 14, 2020 | Events, Featured, Medication Safety
Access to geriatric care improves the quality of life for patients and residents in our communities. Great Plains Quality Innovation Network is partnering with the University of North Dakota to improve access to care for patients with complex conditions in rural and...