To give residents the highest level of care, nursing homes need to course-correct when problems occur – or identify problems before an adverse event can occur. One way to achieve sustained improvement is the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) process.

For the next three episodes, we’ll do a deep-dive on the QAPI process with animated examples and discussion. In this episode, we focus on the brainstorming stage.

We're joined by Patty Austin, a quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7633. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].

Watch the animated QAPI video discussed in today’s episode here: https://youtu.be/DlgHuZNzMVM 

Check out out other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-080422-CC-A 

Methods to prevent and treat COVID-19 are changing almost as quickly as the virus evolves new variants. 

What is the status of COVID-19 variants, vaccines, and therapeutics today? In today's episode, we'll get up to speed on the latest information. 

This episode features a presentation by Krista D. Capehart, Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Director of the Wigner Institute for Advanced Pharmacy Practice, Education and Research at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy.

We’re also joined by Shirley Sullivan, Quality Improvement Specialist. If you want to reach out to Shirley directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7805. You can also contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Click here to watch a video recording of this episode.

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-072822-CC-A

In recent weeks, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced updates to Phase 2 and 3 of the Federal Rule. We highlight and clarify the upcoming changes in today’s episode, as well as share information on training for the updates.

We're joined by Penny Imes, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Penny directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7644. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].

Links discussed in this episode:
- CMS QSO-22-19-NH

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-072122-CC-A.

In recent months, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) updated its pathway data reporting for long-term care facilities. In today's episode, we'll review the changes along with some example scenarios.

We're joined by Debra Wright, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Debra directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 ext 7636. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].

Related links in this episode: 

- CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Schedules

- Table of instructions for Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway Form

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-071422-CC-A

What does it mean to be "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccines? The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) recently revised its definition to align with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In today's episode, we discuss the new definition along with scenario examples.

 We're joined by Debra Wright, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Debra directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 ext 7636. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].

 Related links in this episode: 

- NHSN’s COVID-19 Vaccination Modules

 Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

 This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-070722-CC-A.

Tuberculosis hides in plain sight. The risk of TB infection is even higher for people who live or work in nursing homes. In this week's episode, we discuss what health care workers should know about TB and how to prevent infections. 

We’re joined by Liz Dauch Corporate Infection Preventionist with Stonerise Healthcare in West Virginia.

You can watch a video version of this episode here.

Download a copy of the slideshow here.

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

Other Related Links: 

- CDC Train Module 12B - Tuberculosis Prevention

- Pennsylvania Department of Health Tuberculosis Program

- West Virginia Department of Health Tuberculosis Website

- CDC Annual Risk Assessment on Tuberculosis

- CDC Appendix B Tuberculosis Risk Assessment

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the off3icial views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-063022-CC-A.

Are your residents up-to-date with their pneumococcal vaccinations? Should they receive PCV13, PCV15, PCV20, or PPSV23 — and when? In today's episode, we break down the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines (PPSVs).

We’re joined by Debra Wright, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Debra directly, you can call her at 1-800-642-8686 ext 7636. You can also email her at [email protected].

Related links in this episode: 

- Pneumococcal Vaccine Decision Tree by Quality Insights

- CDC’s Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-062322-CC-A.

Guidance updates affecting nursing homes have rolled out in recent weeks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH).

In this week's episode, we'll get up to speed on the latest guidance on COVID-19 boosters, temporary nurse aides (TNAs), and PA DOH's therapeutics form. We’re joined by Penny Imes, Quality Improvement Specialist at Quality Insights.

If you want to reach out to Penny directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7644. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].

Links discussed in this episode: 

- Credentia: http://www.credentia.com/test-takers/pa  

- PA Department of Education (search “Temporary Nurse Aide): https://www.education.pa.gov/pages/search.aspx 

- Updates guidance on 2nd COVID-19 Booster shots: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Nursing-Homes.aspx 

- COVID-19 Outpatient Therapeutics for LTCFs in PA:  https://mcusercontent.com/3c9fc473fc413830f0c7ccfaf/files/7e121600-c31a-e595-b4b7-b26aa9378285/PA_DOH_Therapeutics_for_LTCFs_0622.pdf 

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-061622-CC-A

The persistent symptoms of long COVID can be frustrating and can lead to even further pain and injury. In today’s episode, we discuss quality measures that can be adopted to prevent patients with Long COVID from further suffering. 

We’re joined by Patty Austin, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7633. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].  

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-060922-CC-A.

Long COVID symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and cognitive issues can lead to further injury, such as falls. In today’s episode, we discuss quality measures that should be strengthened to prevent patients with Long COVID from further suffering. 

We’re joined by Patty Austin, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach out to Patty directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and enter extension 7633. You can also contact her via email at [email protected].  

Check out our other interviews by visiting qualityinsights.org/qin/multimedia.  

This material was prepared by Quality Insights, a Quality Innovation Network - Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Views expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of CMS or HHS, and any reference to a specific product or entity herein does not constitute endorsement of that product or entity by CMS or HHS. Publication number 12SOW-QI-GEN-060222-CC-A.