Volume XXX, Number 4,
 April 2015

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MDS focused dementia care surveys

In early April, CMS will begin training surveyors in order to expand the MDS-Focused Survey.  AHCA has developed a tip sheet for providers developed by a joint workgroup of the Survey/Regulatory and Clinical Practice Committees. CLICK HERE to view the tip sheet which includes an entrance document that a “test center” was given prior to an MDS-focused survey in early March.

On March 27th the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued Survey and Certification Memo S&C 15-31.  Included in this memorandum is the 2014 Final Report on the Focused Dementia Care Survey Pilot and announcement of the 2015 Expansion Project.

A summary of the memo includes:

Final Report: A final report that outlines the basis for the Focused Dementia Care Survey Pilot, the process utilized, conclusions gathered based upon post-pilot data analysis, as well as next steps for the future.

Expansion of Focused Dementia Care Survey Efforts: The CMS plans to expand upon the work of the focused survey pilot and has invited States to conduct such surveys in FY2015 on a voluntary basis. The expansion project will involve a more intensive, targeted effort to improve surveyor effectiveness in citing poor dementia care and the overutilization of antipsychotic medications, and broaden the opportunities for quality improvement among providers.

Deficiency Implications: Deficient practices noted during the surveys will result in relevant citations. In the event that additional care concerns are identified during on-site reviews, those concerns will be investigated during the survey or will be referred to the State Agency as a complaint for further review.

CLICK HERE to view the S&C letter.

President’s Report

• Budgets are moving……collective voices must be heard

Legislative Update

• State budget on the move in both chambers

• Compromise on three strikes bill moves out of the Senate

• THCA opposes bill allowing guns in nursing homes

• THCA members lobby legislators for long term care

Commitment to Care

• Commitment to Care update

State News

• THCA analysis of survey activity and deficiencies – 1st Quarter FY 2015

• “All aboard the T.R.A.I.N.” – Strategies to stay on track managing antipsychotic (AP) drug usage webinar slated for May 8th

• Activity Professional award winners being recognized at the THCA Spring Conference

• Distribution of resident days by RUG level

Federal News

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MDS focused dementia care surveys

• AHCA issues guidance on Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) delay

• Emergency preparedness guide for Assisted Living communities

Announcements & Recognitions

• National Nursing Home Week, May 10 – 15, 2015 – “BRING ON THE FIESTA!”

• THCA welcomes our newest facility members

• THCA facility contact information sheet

• THCA Facebook & Twitter pages

THCAPAC

• THCAPAC “500 Club”

• THCAPAC Spring golf tournament

• PAC special for Administrators & AL Managers at THCAPAC Spring golf tournament

Region News

• “A few thoughts from the business community”

• Donate items for our 2015 Spring fundraising silent auction

• Region meetings this month

• THCA contact information sheet

Education

• THCA Spring Conference and Resource Fair April 20-22, 2015 – Omni Barton Creek Conference Center
  Austin, Texas

• Attention Nurses!  2015 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

• Attention Activity Directors! 2015 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

• THCA 65th Annual Convention and Trade Show – “65: Commitment & Devotion” – September 21-24, 2015 – The Gaylord Texas – Grapevine, Texas – SAVE THE DATE

• DADS and DSHS conference: Infection Control in Long-term Care 2015

If you have suggestions for education sessions or questions about THCA education, please contact Sue Wilson at the THCA office swilson@txhca.org.

Calendar

• April 2015

• May 2015