 |
|
August 31, 2015
| |
Volume 4, Issue 35
|
|
| |
 |
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
|
|
|
Service Standard of the Week
Customer Contact:
We greet our patients, customers, and colleagues with a warm smile, maintain eye contact (when culturally appropriate) and acknowledge their needs or concerns.
Equally important to greeting others appropriately, is ensuring in return they know who YOU are. Wearing your VNA ID badge is part of our Professional Image standard and lets your patients know who you are when you come knocking on their door.
EVERY employee should have a VNA-issued ID Badge with your name, position, and photo. Please see your manager with any questions or if you need a badge that meets these requirements.
|
|
|
Proper Names Convey Professionalism and Respect
By Jill Enwright, RN, and Service Excellence Champion
Recently I was with my grandfather for a visit to the Coumadin clinic at his doctor's office. "Good afternoon Mr. Tabaroni." they greeted him, "How are you feeling today?" I was very impressed with how professional and respectful their greeting was, especially coming from people who knew him so well! I had always thought using someone's last name was so formal and impersonal (especially when I am about to be asking them about their bowel function and other very personal things). This situation with my grandfather made me realize, if nothing else, it is respectful of our elders to address them by last name. However, call me Mrs. Enwright and I'll look around for my husband's grandmother!!
So, how do you know how to address someone?
Upon first meeting a patient or family caregiver, it is professional and proper etiquette to address them by their formal name: Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc. After introducing yourself, a patient will oftentimes introduce himself or herself back by the name they prefer to be called. Proper etiquette says if someone introduces him/herself using their first name ("Hi, I'm Jill.") they have given you permission to call them by that name. They may also respond by saying, "Please, call me Jill," or you can ask what they prefer to be called. If they respond with just a simple "Hi.", it is both polite and professional to continue to address them by their formal name.
So, how do you know when to call a female patient Ms., or Mrs.?
It is always ok to address a woman as Ms. You could also look in the emergency contact screen - if a spouse is listed, it is okay refer to her as Mrs., or (in person) if she is wearing a wedding ring (even if widowed), it is still proper to address her as Mrs.
Most of our patients are elderly, so if nothing else, use it as an opportunity to respect our elders!
|
 
Note of appreciation for Dan Berger, Operations Analyst in the Woburn office, from Nancy Hazeltine, Hospice RN Case Manager in Needham
Good Morning; we all know that at times it seems like we only hear about the things that aren't working. Well, today, I want you all to know just how much I appreciate Dan Berger, because he makes it work! He is an example of an employee that is consistently efficient, prompt, and professional. Yesterday I sent him an email in regards to making a correction to the census and my caseload and he communicated back to me immediately to inform me he received my email, and to let me know he looked at the chart and wanted to be sure he had the correct date to reflect the change. In every instance when I have had to communicate with Dan, this is his standard. I truly appreciate his communication. Pam, as his direct supervisor, I wanted you to know, as I am sure you already do, that Dan is truly an asset to this agency and appreciated for his dedication to his job. Warmest regards, Nancy
Jenn Carpenito, Admissions Department Team Leader in Charlestown submitted the following note about Carol McDonald, PC Tech in Charlestown
Hi Dave, I just wanted to share my appreciation for Carol and what a great addition she is to the IS team. Carol is always going the extra mile to help solve any technical issues we are having. Great addition to VNAB! Thank you Carol for all you do.
Grateful Patient commends Debbie Strzetelski, Physical Therapist in the Needham office
I am writing to you regarding my experience with the VNA after a total knee replacement. I had the benefit of receiving physical therapy from Debbie. When I first met Debbie she was very personable, listened intently and was sensitive to any needs. She gained my complete trust as a professional caregiver.
I'd like to express my sincere appreciation for the physical therapy services I received from Debbie. She was always very attentive to my progress. She was very professional and had a personal touch, which was very reassuring. When I was released from at home therapy and went to a Physical Therapy location they were so pleased with the flexibility and mobility that I had 4 weeks after surgery. This I attribute directly to Debbie's outstanding skills.
Only people with excellent training and experience can be flexible and change exercises when she felt it was needed. I have recommended VNA to several friends who are having knee replacement and, if in the area, Debbie as their PT provider.
Thank you again providing the necessary services.
Submitted by Liz Dow regarding a Amy Murray, Admission Nurse on Team 75
I had the pleasure to co-visit on an admission on one of Michelle Rosenthal's graduates. This was the best admission I have ever seen! I cannot say enough about the visit process, OASIS walk, aseptic technique, bag technique, and respect paid to the client. Michelle is doing an awesome job out there is Southborough, and I just wanted to pass along my experience.
Please share all your notes of praise and recognition with connecter@vnacarenetwork.org
|
|
Scenes from the Street
Geri Spina and Linda Landers-Robinson, Clinical Services Managers in the Needham office decided to highlight all the patient letters and compliments they receive by making them available for everyone to read. The bulletin boards shown above are on display in the Needham office, so make sure to check them out next time you are there!
For months now, without a clock on the wall, staff in the Weymouth office have struggled knowing what time it is. Thanks to the EAT Committee and some quick work by Mary Ann O'Connor and David Rose, they are now a timely bunch. Pictured above is the ribbon cutting ceremony organized by the grateful Weymouth staff...and what a clock that is!
|
The OT's in Southborough did a short presentation on the impact OT's have in the care of our patients. This was a creative and tasty treat done by Danielle Beland, OT on Team 26.
|
|
|
 |
AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPDATES
|
|
Additional SERS Training Sessions
By Donna Peters, Director of Quality Assurance and Risk Management
Great job getting educated on our new SERS system!
We have scheduled a few more session in September for in-person training (see below) as well as webinar options for those who are interested.
SERS In-Person Sessions
- Tuesday, Sept 22 830-930a in Danvers
- Thursday, Sept 24 830 -930a in Weymouth
- Friday, Sept 25 830-930a in Charlestown
There will also be two webinar sessions where you will need to be in front of a computer for the training. You will need to pre-register, so please see the dates below, and make sure to pre-register if you plan on participating.
SERS Webinar Sessions
Fri, Sep 18, 2015, 2:00 PM
Dial-In Number(s): 800.503.2899
Access Code: 6505269
Registration Link:
Wed, Sep 23, 2015, 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Dial-In Number(s): U.S. & Canada: 800.503.2899
Access Code: 6505269
Registration Link:
Please note that all staff (both office-based and field clinicians) need to attend either an in-person or web-based training session.
Everyone should have the SERS icon on his or her device. There are instructions in last week's Connecter with instructions on adding the SERS icon to your iPads Citrix tray. Please review and make sure that your icon works, you need to log in choosing the site you are from VNAB or VNACN, your user name and your password that is used for you other log ins.
If you cannot access SERS, please notify the PC Tech in your location or contact another member of the MIS Team.
For those who attempted to attend last Thursday's in-person training session in Weymouth, please accept my apologies for the confusion. Ailsish, the Atrius representative conducting the SERS training for all VNA staff, got stuck in severe traffic on 93 and, while she made every attempt to get to Weymouth in time for the training, it was out of her control and (as those who were there know) she never made it to the office. If you are unable to attend one of the additional training options listed above, please contact Donna Peters at dpeters@vnab.org.
Enjoy the end of summer and thank you for all your assistance in getting prepared for our paperless event reporting system!
|
Atrius Health Ranked Highest on Overall Quality Score Among New England Pioneer ACOs
Atrius Health announced yesterday it has ranked as the highest on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) overall quality score among Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in New England and has ranked third highest nationally based on 33 ACO quality measures tracked by the CMS. Atrius Health's medical groups achieved among the highest quality and patient experience scores nationally while also achieving savings for Medicare according to 2014 results released today by the CMS for over 300 organizations participating in Medicare ACOs. Atrius Health, a nonprofit alliance of leading community-based medical groups (Dedham Medical Associates, Granite Medical Group, Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates) and a home health agency and hospice, was one of 32 organizations nationally initially selected to participate in the Medicare Pioneer ACO Model (currently, there are 19 Pioneer ACOs participating). Calendar year 2014 Atrius Health performance also included Reliant Medical Group, South Shore Medical Center, and Southboro Medical Group.
The CMS chose 33 quality measures to represent patient/caregiver experience, care coordination, and patient safety, preventive health, and risk for patients with diabetes, hypertension, ischemic vascular disease, and heart failure and/or coronary artery disease. On 30 of the 33 measures, Atrius Health scored above the mean as compared with over 300 ACOs nationally. All measures include Medicare beneficiaries who received most of their primary care at one of the Atrius Health groups.
Atrius Health groups have been providing superlative care for decades to many of their elderly patients-and this is strongly evident in Medicare patients' self-reported assessments of the overall patient-caregiver experience. More Atrius Health ACO patients surveyed rated their physicians and communication with their physicians as "excellent" than comparable patient populations in 90 percent of ACOs across the country. Additionally, patients rated Atrius Health better than 90 percent of other ACOs in terms of effective health promotion and education efforts.
"I'm very proud of this wonderful organization and all that it has accomplished," said Steven Strongwater, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atrius Health. "At Atrius Health we value the entire patient experience and we work hard on building the relationship between our patients, their physicians, and all those involved in their care. This is why we were so gratified to see that our patients had again rated Atrius Health physicians, doctor-patient communication, and health promotion, and education above their peers. This translates not only into a better patient experience, but also helps patients achieve better health."
Based on the CMS analysis, Atrius Health was ranked fourth for meaningful use of its EHR across all Pioneer ACOs. In addition, Atrius Health rated above the 90th percentile on four important preventative measures including screening for fall risk, effectively identifying patients at highest risk of depression, tobacco use assessment and cessation intervention, and blood sugar control in patients with diabetes.
"Atrius Health is particularly proud of the work we have done with our diabetic patients to help them to gain better control of their blood sugar levels and minimize their risk for serious diabetes-related complications such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, neuropathy, and kidney failure," said Richard Lopez, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Atrius Health. The important Diabetes Composite Measure on which Atrius Health achieved well above the 90th percentile includes: glucose control, blood pressure control, and cholesterol control.
For its third year in a row as a Pioneer ACO, Atrius Health has seen improved financial performance. For the 31,000 Medicare beneficiaries served by the Atrius Health medical groups participating in the Pioneer ACO model in 2014, Atrius Health saved Medicare $4.5 million compared to its target, returning $2.8M in savings to Atrius Health. Atrius Health's target is the lowest among Massachusetts Pioneer ACOs, because of Atrius Health's already strong historical performance. Atrius Health applied its savings to investments in care coordination, training, data analytics, information technology, and other resources serving its Medicare beneficiaries.
"These results are a further testament to the significant gains that Atrius Health has made toward our goal of improving quality, improving patient experience, and also bringing down the cost of care," added Dr. Strongwater. "My congratulations to the many dedicated clinicians and staff across our organization whose work on behalf of our patients has led to this amazing accomplishment."
|
VNA Participates in Back to School Jam
Letter from Representative Jeffrey Sánchez, 15th Suffolk/Norfolk District to VNA Care Network Foundation:
I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for your support and participation in our 2015 Back to School Jam. Your contribution is not only important to me, but to all the children and parents who attended the event.
Despite the heat, the event was a great success. Due to your support, we were able to provide music, food, dance, information resources, school supplies, and free health screenings to over 300 children. Thank you for making this possible! It was a pleasure to work with you and I hope that we can continue to build upon this relationship for future events.
Once again, thank you for your support and please do not hesitate to contact my office at (617) 722-2430 if I or my staff may be of any assistance.
Sincerely, Representative Jeffrey Sánchez
 Pictured: Wellness Nurses Jen Gangadharan and Bobbie Converse providing blood pressure screenings at the Back to School Jam held at Bromley Heath housing development, High St. Veterans' Housing in Brookline, and Mission Main housing development in Mission Hill
|
|
The VNA Walking Warriors want to invite you to please join our team today!
|
The 2015 Boston Heart Walk
Saturday September 12, 2015 @ 9:00am
DCR's Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade
VNA Care Network Foundation is making a difference by participating once again in the American Heart Association's Annual Heart Walk. I need your help to make our team a success. Are you ready to build healthier lives by joining our team?
It only takes 2 easy steps!
1) Click on the link below to visit the team web page.
2) Click the "Red "Join Team" button and follow the prompts to register.
Once you've joined the team, we'll need your help to reach our team fundraising goal. Don't worry - fundraising is easier than you think. The American Heart Association provides all the tools you need, including your own personal fundraising page. Plus, I'll be here to support and encourage you along the way. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any Heart Walk questions.
Why Heart Walk? Did you know 1 in 3 Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease and that heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined? We can change these statistics by joining together to walk and fundraise for Heart Walk.
Help grow our team, please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think will want to walk, raise funds and make a difference in our community. All are welcome; it's the more the merrier, when it comes to our Heart Walk team!
Follow This Link to visit our team web page and help with the efforts to support American Heart Association - Boston, MA
We would like to thank you in advance for your participation!
Cyndi Anderson
HR Administrative Assistant
(508) 751-6806
Fax: (508) 373-7598
|
| |
 |
CLINICAL SERVICES
|
|
Clinical Services Announcements and Updates
|
|
Multicultural Services Update
By Cathy Romeo, Manager of Multicultural Services
Effective September 14, Cathy Romeo will be moving to a Per Diem status at the Agency and therefore will not be as available to staff for consultation. While she will continue to provide one-on-one consultation, she will respond to requests generally on Tuesdays and Thursdays as her schedule permits. To reach Cathy and leave a question or request for consultation, please contact her at cromeo@vnacarenetwork.org or at (888) 663-3688, X4528.
At any time, staff may access on the Education Portal a series of Cultural Cues, brief population profiles highlighting cultural values pertinent to home care. The Ed Portal also lists reliable websites with patient education information in other languages.
OurCultural Cues offer very general information about the cultural values and beliefs traditionally held by a group. Assuming that all members of a group hold these values, however, is stereotyping and harmful to the provision of quality care. Cultural Cues are broadly sketched strokes, similar to line drawings without detail. The only way to complete a portrait --- the rich tapestry that is each individual --- is to ask each person about his or her own cultural perspective.
| The Joint Commission recommends using Cultural Cues not as end points in assessment, but rather as beginning points for conversations with patients and their families about their cultural views of illness and healthcare. When we ask not just, "What is the matter with you," but also "What matters to you," we are much more likely to forge effective clinical relationships with patients who will be responsive to, and ultimately grateful for, our care!
|
|
|
POWER OUTAGE SAFETY TIPS - From MEMA Extended Loss of Power, During and After a Hurricane, Is a Real Possibility
A Message from The Emergency Preparedness Committee
Throughout this hurricane season the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urges residents to prepare for the possible impacts of a hurricane or tropical storm. MEMA offers the following tips for preparing for, and dealing with a longer term power outage:
POWER OUTAGE PREPARATION
- Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working.
- Fully charge your cell phone, laptop, and any other devices before the storm.
- Ensure that you have extra batteries as part of your Emergency Kit.
- Download the free Massachusetts Alerts app to your smartphone to receive important weather alerts and messages from MEMA.
- Don't get overheated. Put on light-weight, light-colored clothing, and drink lots of water. Remember to give your pets and/or service animals fresh, cool water; and if you need it, see if your community has "cooling centers" or shelters open.
- Do not call 9-1-1 to report your power outage or to ask for information; use 9-1-1 only for emergencies.
- Check in on friends, family, and neighbors, particularly seniors and those with access and functional needs.
FOOD AND WATER PREPARATION
- If you have a water supply that could be affected by a power outage, such as a well-water pump system, fill your bathtub and spare containers with water.
- Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, minimize the number of times you open the refrigerator or freezer door.
MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS
- Find out about individual assistance that may be available in your community if you need it.
- Register in advance with the local emergency management agency, the local fire department, other government agencies or non-profit groups.
- If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.
- If you use medical equipment in your home that requires electricity, ensure you have extra batteries for medical equipment and assistive devices.
- If you have life-support devices that depend on electricity, contact your local electric company about your power needs for life-support devices (home dialysis, suction, breathing machines, etc.) in advance of an emergency. Some utility companies will put you on a "priority reconnection service" list.
TRAVELING DURING A POWEROUTAGE
- Keep the gas tank in your car at least half full because gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps.
- Know where the manual release lever for your electric garage door opener is located and how to operate it. Garage doors can be heavy, so you might need help to lift it.
- If a traffic light is out, treat it as a four-way stop.
For additional information about MEMA and Hurricane Preparedness, and a complete copy of this full document go to www.mass.gov/mema.
|
Clinical Services Announcements and Updates
|
IV Information: Infusion
By Elizabeth Dow, IV Clinical Services Manager
Thank you for your excellent care and commitment to providing only excellent care. There are a few tips outlined below to make the pursuit of excellence just a little easier:
- Be sure to teach your patients to check their IV supplies, teach them what is needed for each visit so that they are aware if they are running low and are able to verbalize this to any clinician or specialty pharmacy representative who calls the home.
- If you encounter an issue, or a potential issue please call you IV coordinator, someone is always available by phone to assist with coordination and help you to triage you patient's needs.
- Each visit please document the IV site assessment in you EMR. If you are on the Encore system use the F2 lookups, if you are on McKesson system please consider the copy and paste function, your standard responses can be saved to the home screen and copied into the chart when needed.
- Please review your procedures prior to visiting the patient if you have not performed that procedure recently. If you forget, don't be shy, call us and we can give you a reminder. Also, remember that the coordinators are available to be present with you if we know ahead of time, and in a pinch can be on the phone with you while you are in the home.
The coordinators and myself span the network and make visits as needed with you, as we strive for excellence in care so please call for any question, triage, or co-visit need. Thanks for your hard work and I look forward to infusing the network with you!
- Elizabeth Dow 774-463-7350
- Donna Muscente 617-827-7523
- Leanne Henderson 781-697-1749
- Violetta Menzi 781-996-1925
|
The Bubble in the Lovenox Syringe
By Mary Ambrefe, Clinical Pharmacist
The air bubble found in the headspace of Lovenox syringes is composed of nitrogen and is put there to prevent oxidation of the preservative-free drug.
The air bubble should not be expelled prior to injection. It poses NO RISK to the patient during injection. Expelling the bubble may cause the inadvertent loss of drug, especially in the 30mg and 40mg syringes which are not calibrated.
The exception to this guidance is when using higher dose syringes which are calibrated, the air bubble may need to be expelled when some drug must be removed for to reconcile the dose ordered with the dose to be given.
In all other cases, leave the air bubble alone, as it is perfectly fine and introduces NO RISK to the patient injecting the drug deep subcutaneously.
|
|
| |
 |
FUND DEVELOPMENT
|
|
Tickets on sale now for Halloween Cocktail Party to benefit Home Health, Monahan Home and Hospice
Tickets are on sale now for the third annual Halloween Cocktail Party to benefit our home health and hospice services on Thursday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. in the Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation Street, Worcester.
|
Dale LePage (pictured), Worcester Living Magazine's Central Massachusetts Entertainer of the Year for three consecutive years, will perform his mesmerizing blend of soul and swing. The evening will also feature live and silent auctions and heavy hors d'oeuvres.
The Halloween Cocktail Party is presented by the Worcester Area Community Cabinet, a group of volunteers who raise awareness and funds for home health and hospice care. Tickets are $50 and may be purchased online at http://bit.ly/1DGdCYr or by contacting Beth Sobezenski, development assistant, at 888-663-3688, ext. 1361 or esobezenski@vnacarenetwork.org. Costumes optional. Cash bar. Parking is free. |
|
| |
 |
HUMAN RESOURCES
|
|
Employee Referral Bonus for RNs and PTs!
Employee referrals are often the most successful way for us to find the best candidates for open positions. Demand for physical therapists and nurses continues to be issue throughout the industry and the VNA is no exception.
In order to attract and retain new RNs and PTs, we are offering an employee referral bonus. Certain conditions apply and the bonus will be paid in equal installments to eligible employees at the new recruits three and six month anniversaries.
Please contact Cheryl Milas at cmilas@vnacarenetwork.org or Debbie Brown at dbrown@vnab.org for more information.
|
|
Job Postings - VNA of Boston and VNA Hospice Care
To learn more about career opportunities listed in the links above, contact Debbie Brown, Human Resources Manager at dbrown@vnab.org.
|
|
Job Postings - VNA Care Network and VNA Hospice Care
To learn more about career opportunities, contact a human resources representative:
|
|
Employee Advisory Team Suggestions
To suggest an area of focus to the Employee Advisory Team (EAT), please email your suggestion to EATSuggestionbox@vnab.org. Suggestions can include ideas to improve current processes and procedures, remove redundancies, or even to provide feedback on something you think is/is not working. Please feel free to discuss any issues that you would like brought to EAT with the following members of the committee:
- Kim Dio
- Kelly Frew
- Mary Helen Mahoney
- Susan Marlin Procter
- Annemarie Martin
- Mary McCarthy
- Ilona O'Connor
- Mary Ann O'Connor
- Mae Powers
- Maria Rodrigues
- David Rose
- Chris Schultz
- Danny Yan
EAT is also on the lookout for new members. If you're interested in participating, or for more information on what EAT is all about, please reach out to any of the members listed above. Meetings are held monthly and alternate between the Charlestown and Braintree offices.
|
| |
 |
INFORMATION SERVICES
|
|
Who to Call for MIS/Tech Support
By Dave Hanley, Computer Operations Manager
Shown below is the current daytime MIS support contact directory by location. Please remember: If your contact is unavailable, any contact can be of service to you and will most likely be able to help using Microsoft Remote Assistance remote control software, regardless of location. We are actively reviewing and revising our support function and will soon undergo changes designed to streamline MIS support to better serve you, our user community. We will be sure to provide you with an update well ahead of any rollout of these changes.
*Number shown is main number for the technician's home office. At the prompt, choose "1" then enter the extension. VNACN extensions can be reached in this way from the main number of any VNACN site.
Note: In the unlikely event no technician is available, please contact me, Dave Hanley, at either VNACN X5610 or VNAB X6830.
For after-hours support for VNACN-specific issues, please refer to the schedule you receive each week by email from Thomas Dupont. For VNAB-specific issues after-hours, please call 617-913-3003.
|
Safeguarding Emailed PHI and PII
By George Richardson, CIO
The HIPAA Security Rule requires the all Protected Health Information (PHI) be encrypted when sending by electronic means (i.e. email). This same standard applies to Personally Identifiable Information IPII) of a financial nature.
We have put into place secure connections that encrypt emails between us and many insurance companies and referral sources, but this does not cover all vendors that we work with where PHI and PII is shared. Please be sure before sending any information electronically that you confirm whether or not there is a secure connection in place that will encrypt the data you are sending.
In the situations where we do not have a standard secure connection in place, an Outlook plug-in called Voltage is used to encrypt the data being sent. Some staff already have Voltage installed on their computer. If you have Voltage installed, you will see a Send Secure button when composing your email (see below).
If you think you have Voltage installed, but do not see this button, or if you would like to have it installed, please contact your local PC Tech or the Help Desk. They can assist with either fixing your Voltage plug-in or determining if it should be installed on your machine.
If you think you have received an unencrypted email that contains PHI or PII, please contact your manager or an MIS representative to investigate. If you have any questions please reach out to anyone in MIS and they can assist or find the answers for you.
|
| |
 |
QUALITY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
|
|
"Pat Stat 1" Tab Service Codes
By Maria Dunn, Patient Care Program Manager
Please be careful NOT TO DOCUMENT in the Service Codes section below.
This section drives reports which are critical for several different departments.
Please see your Patient Care Manager with questions and thank you!
|
Encore Documentation Reduction Committee: Change #1 - Admission Checklist Screen
By Maria Dunn, Patient Care Program Manager
Earlier this year, multiple clinicians suggested documentation improvements in Encore. These clinician's suggestions led to the formation of the Encore Documentation Reduction Committee. Over a period of several months the committee, consisting of a group of multidisciplinary clinicians and managers consulting with their peers, was charged with reviewing Encore Documentation standards and developing solutions to meet committee goals of:
- Simplifying Encore Documentation
- Removing Redundant Encore Documentation where possible
- Streamlining Encore Documentation and processes wherever possible
One of the first areas tackled by the group was the SN/PT/OT/ST Assessment. Starting this week, the required screen: "Admission Check List", "Check off Tasks Performed", "Admit Visit/Transitional Tasks" which is found in the "Risk/ADS" Tab will have two changes:
- Less check-off boxes
- New check-off box titled: "Referral Documentation & ENCORE Referral Notes Reviewed". Clinicians should check this box off indicating that the following has been reviewed:
- Referral paperwork (aka "Back Pages")
- Encore Referral Notes (found in "Referral - Clinical")
Clinicians will check off the new box instead of signing/initialing the referral paperwork received from their coordinator/CSA, etc. NOTE: Any paperwork not originally received from coordinator/CSA, etc. should continue to be sent to Medical Records to be scanned and added into the patient's clinical record. This includes medication lists from MD office, etc.
The Documentation Reduction Committee would like to thank the Referral Center and Liaison teams as they streamline referral documentation. This will assist in insuring seamless care for our patients. Comprehensive referral information can be found in the Referral Notes section of the chart.
Please contact your Patient Care Manager with any questions.
|
Encore Documentation Reduction Committee: Change #2 - Referral Notes
By Maria Dunn, Patient Care Program Manager
Earlier this year, multiple clinicians suggested documentation improvements in Encore. These clinician suggestions lead to the formation of the Encore Documentation Reduction Committee. Over a period of several months, the committee, consisting of a group of multidisciplinary clinicians and managers consulting with their peers, was charged with reviewing Encore Documentation standards and developing solutions to meet committee goals of:
- Simplifying Encore Documentation
- Removing Redundant Encore Documentation where possible
- Streamlining Encore Documentation and processes wherever possible
The second area of focus for the Documentation Reduction Committee involves placing concise Referral Center documentation in a centrally located area of the clinical record.
Referral Center documentation including home health orders (i.e. A1C results), inpatient comments, patient diagnoses, PMH and surgical information can be found in the "Referral - Notes" section as outlined below.
Patient diagnoses listed by the Referral Center will include diagnoses and history which have the potential to impact the Plan of Care including outcomes. This will assist with developing a Plan of Care that contains appropriate treatment meeting patient needs, achieving positive outcomes and insuring the best possible patient experience.
NOTE that diagnoses listed in the HHRG/Dx tab are not accurate until the patient's chart has been coded. Check "Referral - Notes" for diagnosis, PMH, surgical hx, etc.
Stay tuned for next week's Connecter for additional Referral Center documentation changes including clarification of MD Ordered SOC date and Referral date. We will also announce removal of unused fields in an effort to increase "background space" making screens easier on the eyes!
Please contact your Patient Care Manager with any questions.
Accessing "Referral - Notes":
Select Activity: Referral - On File
Activity Control Screen: Referral - Clinical
Referral Information - Press: F4 - Notes
Select Note Type - Referral Notes
Relevant Intake/Referral Comments: Abnormal Findings - Lab, Vitals, Tests, etc.(examples below)- Inpatient Comments - A1C Result & Date - Non-specific orders
Relevant Intake/Referral Comments: Inpatient Medical Diagnosis
Relevant Intake/Referral Comments: Pertinent Medical History
Relevant Intake/Referral Comments: Pertinent Social History- Information to assist clinician i.e. wheelchair bound, MOWs, etc. Relevant Intake/Referral Comments: Inpatient Surgical Procedure- Inpatient Surgical Procedures can be found here OR above
|
Q3 & Q4 OASIS Education Sessions
The following are the scheduled Q3 AND Q4 OASIS Education schedules. All clinical staff are mandated to attend 1 OASIS Education session per quarter, this includes RN (staff and contract), LPN, clinical managers , PT and PTA's, and clinical coordinators. Quarter 3 reviews Functional OA information and Quarter 4 will review miscellaneous OA education and COPS.
The QA Department has scheduled out many sessions in all offices for the final two quarters of the year to accommodate multiple offerings at multiple sites. Please work out the time that you choose to attend with your individual manager, you may attend at any site.
Staff must attend ONE education session per quarter. Our goal is to maintain our current best practice and strive for the top 20% in our reportable outcomes...remember that we are at 4 Stars for VNACN and 4.5 Stars for VNAB, with a goal of 5, we would like to keep the momentum going!!!
Looking forward to your presence at the OA education, thank you for all your hard work and attention to the care of our patients and the outcomes we obtain from our best practice.
Quarter 3 Sessions
Quarter 4 Sessions
|
|
QI SUPPORT
| |
Covering Office
|
Name
|
Email
|
Office Phone
|
Position
| |
All VNAB
|
Hughes, Kim
|
kcao@vnab.org
|
617-886-6501 x5419
|
QI Support Coordinator
| |
All VNACN
|
Schultz, Chris
|
cschultz@vnab.org
|
617-886-6501 x6527
|
QI Support Coordinator
| |
All VNACN
|
Rao, Shamala
|
srao@vnacarenetwork.org
|
508-756-7176 x6876
|
QI Nurse
|
|
|
|
|
|
