From the desk of our CEO Kris Mastrangelo:
MDS 3.0: Pain Assessment and Coding
Research supports that the number one reason that pain is undertreated is that it is under-recognized by healthcare professionals.Unaddressed or under-treated pain can have a significant negative impact on a patient's health and well being. The presence of pain can lead to depression, emotional distress, disturbed sleep, decreased appetite, slowed healing to just name a few.
Inadequate knowledge of pain assessment and management is a staff centered barrier. Education of all levels of staff is critical - with the new MDS 3.0, we will be asking staff to report signs and symptoms of pain in the last five days for those residents that can not be interviewed. It is very important that the staff know what to look for and the channels through which to report these signs and symptoms.
Pain screening takes just moments and can be done by the medication nurse very easily in conjunction with a routine medication pass. A more in depth assessment is necessary to find out information such as history, description of pain, what has worked to alleviate pain and so on. As busy as nursing home staff is, this is a critical step to ensure an appropriate and effective plan of care.
Harmony believes in a TEAM approach to identification and management of pain. Harmony will be presenting a one hour webinar this week, for facilities who would like to hear more about Pain assessment and Coding on the MDS 3.0.
Article compliments of Jen Pettis, Program Development Manager for Harmony Healthcare
PC Pricer Announcement from NHIC and NGS: Due to recent software updates to NHIC and NGS systems, SNF Medicare Part A claims have been under reimbursed by "small amounts" since October. In order to fix the problem and pay the claims correctly, they have decided to hold newly submitted claims from 1/1/2011 on. This may result in an 8-10 week delay in release and reimbursement. They will be sending out global adjustments for claims submitted prior to 1/1/2011, but any newly submitted claims will be held. They anticipate that claims should all be resolved and properly processed by mid-March. If providers will find the delay to be financial hardship, the FI/MACs recommend that providers telephone and speak with a manger to make possible alternative financial arrangements.
NEW Program: Jen Pettis, RN, WCC, RAC-MT, Program Development Manager and Regional Consultant for Harmony Healthcare is pleased to present the Quality Indicator Survey Preparedness Program. This is an educational program designed for all levels of facility leadership. We are currently seeking facilities to host this program. Contact us at 800-530-4413 x21 and ask for Sue Pellegrini.
Winter Webinars February 10, 2011 Pain Assessment and Coding February 17, 2011 [1/2 Day Seminar] 9:00AM - 12:00PM, Topsfield, MA Medicare Nursing/Therapy Documentation in a SNF and MDS 3.0 Documentation for the CNA |
