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SDHCA Newsletter
SDALA
SDSLA


November is National Home Health Care Month

December 6-12 is National Influenza Vaccination Week

In This Issue

 

  Millie of the Month Application Form    


 
 
 
 Quality Award
     
  
 
 
SDHCA Staff: 
Mark B. Deak
Executive Director
  
Lori Tracy
Assistant Executive Director 
  
LuAnn Severson
Director of Public Affairs & Professional Development
  
Sarah Naber
Executive Assistant  

 

hcis logo

Healthcare Information Systems

mbs logo

Medi-Bill Systems

 

Helping You Provide Quality Care With Cost Containing and Revenue Enhancing Programs.

 
November 2015  

November's Millie Award Recipient is Lori Lanners at Tealwood's Diamond Care Center & Grandview Assisted Living in Bridgewater. She is the Community Life Coordinator.  Lori keeps the Center's residents busy with a wide range of activities.  The residents are always excited to see what she has in store for them next! 
 
Lori brings an amazing amount of energy to the facility. She invites the kids from the local daycare and school to read and sing for the residents. She encourages residents to participate in their wellness program, and adapts all activities to each individual increasing their sense of purpose. Congratulations Lori!
 

More Talking than Hunting
 
Last weekend I had the privilege of hunting with Governor Daugaard.  It was a beautiful October day and we were walking the fields at a ranch just southwest of Pierre.  There were quite a few State Folks in our hunting party, including a former governor as well. Although the pheasants were few and far between that didn't matter a bit. Still, I did get some shooting in, and even got lucky!
 
As we were walking back to the pickup I was able to talk with the Governor Daugaard one on one. I shared with him what so many of you have been sharing with me. Staffing our Long Term Care Centers is by far our greatest challenge. 
 
I let him know that the staffing issues we are grappling with are statewide. Not just in our biggest cities and smallest towns, but everywhere in between. Not only do we need more CNAs, we need more staff at all levels.

Of course if there were easy solutions we would have found them by now.  But we are not discouraged, South Dakotans don't pretend our problems don't exist, we don't make excuses, we figure out what can be done and do it.
 
Many you know Dorthy Foos. She has worked at Prairie View Care Center in Woonsocket for 45 years! The Center has been open a little more than 45 years. She has worked in nearly every position at the Center, from cooking, laundry, activities, charge nurse, to acting administrator.  Her advice to her colleagues is "don't slack off, no lollygagging, and do what is expected of you." 
 
Dorthy hopes to keep working for at least another five years, at which time she will be 82!   Thankfully, we still have dedicated caregivers like Dorthy Foos in our Long Term Care Centers. So maybe we have just a little more time to solve our staffing crisis!

Sincerely, 
marks sig 
Mark B. Deak
Executive Director 
Education Committee Meeting
 
The Education Committee will be holding a meeting on November 19th.  The Committee will be discussing educational sessions for the Annual Spring Institute in 2016. If you have any speaker suggestions or topic suggestions, please contact Lori Tracy at the SDHCA Office.
 
Council Planning Sessions
 
It is that time of the year when the Council State Board of Directors will be meeting in January to begin the planning process for the Annual Summer Workshop.  If you have any suggestions, please contact your Council Board President or Lori Tracy at the SDHCA Office.
 
SDHCA Board Of Directors Meeting
 
The SDHCA Board of Directors will be meeting with the Legislative & Reimbursement Committee on January 26, 2016 at the Ramkota Hotel, Pierre.  The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM.  The Board of Directors will hold its Board Meeting on January 26, 2016, at the Ramkota Hotel, Pierre, beginning at 1:00 PM.  SDHCA & SDALA Members are welcome to attend the meetings.
Legislative/Reimbursement Committee Meeting
 
The Legislative & Reimbursement Committee will be meeting on January 26, 2016, at the Ramkota Hotel, Pierre.  The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM.  The Committee will be discussing the impact of the 2016 Legislative Bills that have been introduced and our position on these bills.  The LR Committee will be meeting in conjunction with the Board of Directors at this meeting.
 
Legislative Reception
 
The SDHCA Legislative Reception will be held on January 26, 2016, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM at the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre in Gallery D.  This is a perfect opportunity to talk with your Legislators from your District about Long Term Care!
 
This event has really been growing and we hope that the participation continues to grow in 2015!  (This event will also display the Dakota MasterWorks Art Show winners!)
 
Call the Ramkota Hotel in Pierre ASAP for a room reservation for the Legislative Reception.  Phone (605) 224-6877!
SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Art Show A Success!
SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Art Show
The 183 entries in the 19th Annual SDHCA Dakota MasterWorks Show created a wonderful art exhibit earlier this week.  Winning entries will soon be posted on the SDHCA website. 
 
Thank you to all the Sponsors that made this positive aging venture a success.  Sponsors include:  Home Federal Bank, Golden LivingCenters, Welcov Healthcare, Tealwood Senior Living, Westhills Village, Clarkson Health Care, Dow Rummel Village, Good Samaritan Society, Tieszen Memorial Home, Jenkins Living Center, Sisson Printing, Mahlander's Appliance & Lighting, Baldwin-DeBates Insurance and Imagery Photography.  

Millie Of The Month Award

 

Do you know an employee that goes the extra mile?  Nominate them for the Millie of the Month award!  Each month the winner is featured in our E-Newsletter and his/her picture is displayed on the SDHCA website.  Don't hesitate, nominate someone deserving today!

Did Your Facility Make The News?

 

There are many articles published throughout South Dakota that are worth taking a look at! Click here to see if your facility made the news. Not finding an article that made your local paper regarding your facility? Please send SDHCA a copy.
Don't Miss Out On SDHCA Recommended Webinars

 

 

Check the SDHCA Webinars site as sessions are added often on various topics.  

 

If you are looking for a few CEUs to get the year started, click here.

CEU's At Your Finger Tips

 

 

Log on to SDHCA's  EasyCEU to quickly get approved CEU's you need for renewal. Consider visiting the SDHCA  Easy CEU site and choose from over 80 different topics.  

2015 Healthcare Observances
 

 





Click here to view the 2015 Healthcare Observance calendar events.
2016 AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Applications Are Available!
 

The 2016 Quality Award application year has started and the Intent to Apply (ITA) is open.  Click here to view.
 
Completing applications can take months so get a start now! Bronze, Silver and Gold applications are on the Quality Award website now.

Health Care Summit
SD ACHCA
 
The SD Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators is hosting a conference on December 3 & 4, 2015, at the Avera Prairie Center in Sioux Falls.  It is entitled "Health Care Summit!"  For more information and to register, click here.

Nominations For SDHCA Board Of Directors
 
The SDHCA Nominating Committee is considering candidates for four SDHCA Board Positions.  The following are the open positions:
  • Secretary
  • President Elect
  • Proprietary Representative
  • Non Proprietary Representative
If you are interested in running for an open position, please contact the SDHCA Office or a Nominating Committee Member by January 5, 2016.  This is your opportunity to get more involved in the Association!
 
Nominating Committee Members:
Kim Longe, Diamond Care Center, Bridgewater
Todd Anderson, Good Samaritan Society, Lennox
Dawn Andresen, Golden Living, Brandon
Tim Yeaton, Riverview Rehab & Health Care Center, Flandreau

S.D. Reports First Flu Case
Argus Leader
 
South Dakota's first influenza case of the season has been reported. The person is a Marshall County resident in the 70 to 79 age group, the Department of Health reported Friday. The individual was diagnosed with influenza A and was hospitalized.
Webinar: Why Adult Immunizations Matter And Strategies For Increasing Rates And Awareness
SD Healthcare Associated Infections

Thursday, November 12, 2015  |  10:00 - 11:00 am CST

Overview
Vaccination rates for children have steadily risen well over 90 percent the past few years, but the rates for older adults getting flu, pneumonia, tetanus or shingles shots - the four most used vaccines among the elderly.  Read more

Health Insurance Marketplace Open Enrollment Begins November 1
LTC Leader

Individuals eligible to go the health insurance exchange will be able to select or renew their 2016 policies beginning on November 1, 2015 through December 15, 2015. The federal government has posted a preview of 2016 plans on its website. Read more
Payroll-Based Journal And Electronic Staffing Data Collection
AHCA

On October 1, CMS opened registration for the voluntary period to participate in electronic submission of payroll data, including staff start and end dates (for calculating staff retention and turnover), and census data.  Read more
 
Methods For Assuring Access To Covered Medicaid Services (CMS-2328-FC) Final Rule And Request For Information (RFI)
AHCA
 
CMS issued a final rule with comment that will impact the process by which CMS and states make changes to Medicaid fee-for-service payment rates.
 
Specifically, the final rule puts additional structures in place that are intended to make rate development more data-driven when considering whether proposed changes to Medicaid fee-for-service payment rates are sufficient to ensure that Medicaid beneficiaries have access to covered Medicaid services.  Note the regulation only (emphasis added) applies to Medicaid fee-for-service state plan benefits.  Therefore, the Medicaid rates paid for services rendered under waivers, including Section 1115 and 1915(b) and (c) waivers, as well as rates paid under any managed care arrangement (state plan or waiver), are not impacted by the rule.  
 
This rule finalizes a proposed rule that was issued in May of 2011 and is especially important due to the Supreme Court's decision in Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, Inc. that Medicaid providers do not have a cause of action to challenge a state's Medicaid reimbursement rates. In the coming week, AHCA will release a more detailed summary of what is included in this regulation, as well as assess the areas of this rule where it is possible to submit comments and respond to CMS' Request for Information. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact Caroline Haarmann at [email protected]. To view the final rule, click here and click here to view the Request for Information (RFI) associated with the rule. 

OIG Plans Civil Monetary Penalties Crackdown
McKnights

The government will continue ramped-up efforts against healthcare fraud cases that involve program exclusions and civil monetary penalties, officials shared.  Read more  
Bill Could Limit HUD Mortgage Insurance For Low-Rated SNFs
McKnights

Nursing homes' eligibility for federal mortgage insurance could become dependent on their quality ratings under legislation proposed this week. Read more
Following The Money
McKnights

To really understand what is going on in the wacky world of Medicare therapy billing, here's all you really need to know:  Read more
Even Doctors And Nurses Don't Always Have Healthy Lifestyles
Reuters

Even doctors and nurses don't always follow the healthy lifestyle choices they recommend for patients to reduce the risk of medical problems like obesity, heart disease and diabetes, a U.S. study suggests. Read more
Ask The Nursing Expert About... Insulin Pens
McKnights

Our company's regional nurse came to my facility and said we were going to start using insulin pens. Can you tell me what I should prepare for?  Read more
Senior Living's Labor Crisis: Providers, Lawmakers Seek Solution Overseas
Senior Housing News

There's a storm brewing in senior housing: Between wage pressures and work environments that can take an emotional and physical toll, senior living providers are scrambling to recruit and retain staff.  Read more
Costs For Dementia Care Far Exceeding Other Diseases, Study Finds
NY Times

Three diseases, leading killers of Americans, often involve long periods of decline before death. Two of them - heart disease and cancer - usually require expensive drugs, surgeries and hospitalizations.  Read more
 
Safety Committee's Records Not Privileged: Federal Court
McKnights

A North Carolina nursing home operator can't claim privilege in protecting documents created by its safety committee from discovery, a federal trial court has ruled.  Read more
 
Promoting Flu Vaccination To Staff
Flu season is upon us. Flu vaccination rates among health care personnel working in long term care continue to be the lowest in the nation compared to other health care settings. CDC offers a toolkit for long term care employers to help increase influenza vaccination among health care personnel in long term care settings. Influenza is a serious health threat, especially for vulnerable populations like older adults and people living with chronic medical conditions. It's especially important that people living with and caring for frail, disabled and/or aging persons get vaccinated for influenza and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
 
Check out the toolkit and promote flu vaccination to your staff!
 
AHCA/NCAL's New Learning Management System


AHCA/NCAL officially has launched ahcancalED, the Association's new online Learning Management System (LMS). We created this resource to support our members who do not have time to develop the newest in-service training. The objective is to provide the best and latest educational tools, especially as CMS increases its regulatory requirements about staff training and competency in a number of areas.
 
ahcancalED contains a wealth of information including educational programs, webinars, instructional videos, training courses, and other tools. It also includes opportunities to discuss topics, learn best practices, and grow the competency of staff. It is designed to help individuals in the profession do a better job of caring for patients and residents and advance in their careers.
 
The information is structured to make the online learning experience engaging, meaningful, and interactive for users. The fresh graphics and clearly defined sections within the site make it easy for users to navigate and find the information they need. ahcancalED allows AHCA/NCAL to deliver, manage, track, record, and report on instructor-led and online learning activities. It also allows users to track their own learning progress.
 
Best of all, the information on ahcancalED is available free to members

Please take a minute to check out ahcancalED. If you have suggestions for content or other site enhancements, please contact a member of the ahcancalED team at  [email protected]

Get A Competitive Edge: Credential Your RNs!
AHCA

The  AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep program is on sale through the end of the year. Save $100 on each training spot through December 31 by entering promo code GNPFALL15 (all caps) when registering.

Gero Nurse Prep
 is a smart and effective use of training dollars. This unique program prepares nurses for the American Nurses Credentialing Center board certification test in gerontological nursing. Board certification (RN-BC) is the gold standard for demonstrating clinical excellence in geriatric patient care.  Gero Nurse Prep Alums have a 96% pass rate on the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam. 

Whether seeking to participate in an Accountable Care Organization or Managed Care Organization or attract referrals from the local hospital, providers need to demonstrate that their health care expertise and services are better than the competition. The Gero Nurse Prep 
program is an important step toward demonstrating your company's geriatric nursing expertise. Less than one percent of nurses have this prestigious credentialing, so investing in this program can give providers a competitive edge when negotiating with ACOs, MCOs and hospitals. 

Check out the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep program and try a free demo today!

AHCA's Got You Covered! AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions Website
 

AHCA and NCAL now offers a variety of comprehensive insurance programs to meet your business needs. Backed by the strength of our membership, AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions programs are designed with exclusive member savings and discounts for both the fully-insured or self-insured members. 

The program offers health insurance options, group and voluntary benefit packages, an aggressive Stop-Loss insurance program as well as cloud based HR platforms that will help members achieve savings and greater efficiencies on HR services within your company, while also tracking and reporting on key Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements.  For more information, please contact AHCA's Dave Kyllo at 
[email protected] and visit the AHCA/NCAL Insurance Solutions website.  
NPUAP Hosts Free Webinar In Support Of World Wide Pressure Ulcer Prevention Day
LTC Leader

In support of World Wide Pressure Ulcer Prevention Day, please join us on Thursday, November 19 from Noon - 1:00 PM Central Time as NPUAP offers a FREE webinar presented by Jeffrey Levine, MD.  Read more
 
CDC Publishes Guidance On What To Expect For The 2015-2016 Influenza Season
LTC Leader

The CDC has developed a new web page titled "What You Should Know for the 2015-2016 Influenza Season." This web page features sections on what to expect for the upcoming flu season, information on what viruses may circulate, and other general information for the flu season. Read more
Self-Absorbed Millennials? Not The Ones Who Are Caregivers For Their Elders
Washington Post

Among the benefits of living in an industrialized society is the fact that, as medicine and technology improve, people live longer and the birth rate declines. Read more
CMS' Proposed Discharge Changes Would Hit Home Health Agencies
Modern Healthcare

The CMS is proposing a massive overhaul of the discharge process for hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and home health agencies. The latter would likely be hardest hit, facing an annual cost of $283 million, the agency says.  Read more
 
Flu Vaccine Might Be Less Effective In Statin Users
CBS News

Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may have an adverse effect on how well the flu vaccine works in older adults, two new studies suggest.  Read more
 
ICD-10 Changed October 1!

Get the newest publications to help ease your ICD-10-CM transition. The new ICD-10 takes effect on October 1, 2015. Make sure you have all of the new information you'll need for the big change!
 
ICD-10: The Official International Classification of Diseases.  

$99.95 plus tx, s&h.  
Click here to order.
 
This version of ICD-10-CM includes all official codes, descriptions, indexes and tables plus special features to help you code easier, better and faster. The PMIC ICD-10-CM includes:
  Comprehensive introduction to ICD-10-CM
  The official ICD-10-CM coding guidelines
  All official ICD-10-CM codes and complete descriptions
  The official Alphabetical Index to the Tabular List
 All official tables, including the Table of Drugs and Chemicals and the Neoplasm Table
  Chapter specific guidelines preceding each chapter
  Definitions of medical terms at the code level
  Symbols and color-coding for faster and easier coding
  Thumb indexing to help you locate codes faster

ICD- 10 Compliance: Process Improvement & Maintenance for Long - Term Care. 

$155 plus tx, s&h.  
Click here to order.
 
This resource provides:
  Various examples of effective processes that SNFs can integrate, including specific rationale behind each option
  Explanations on what could potentially prevent payments
  Guidance on how to ensure physician documentation accommodates ICD-10 coding
  Education on how to code new encounters
  Dual-coding examples
  Direction on how to untangle vendor issues to protect SNF Medicare dollars  

ICD-10 Essentials for Long-Term Care: Your Guide to Preparation and Implementation.   

SDHCA Member: $149.00 plus tx, s&h. 
Click here to order.

ICD-10 Essentials for Long-Term Care will help you:
  • Implement simple procedural changes immediately to ease the burden of the transition in future months
  • Familiarize your coders with the ICD-10 format to ensure a smooth transition during implementation
  • Develop timelines to train clinicians in new documentation requirements Achieve leadership buy-in for the necessary budget, policy changes, and infrastructure upgrade to accommodate ICD-10 requirements
  • Execute a step-by-step action plan throughout your facility to ensure timely ICD-10 readiness 
ICD-10 Coding For Long-Term Care: A Comprehensive Training Guide

SDHCA Member Price: $149.00 plus tx, S&h.
Click here to order.
 
This book provides:
  • In-depth coding how-to for the most commonly documented diagnoses in the long-term care setting
  • Guidance on how to properly document and code in ICD-10 to ensure appropriate coding on claims
  • Quiz questions, examples, and sample scenarios to help train staff
  • A detailed understanding of how long-term care providers in particular can best conquer ICD-10 complexities
  • "How to" chapters that focus on each diagnostic area 

 

 

 

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