Taking Healthcare by Storm

Does your nursing home have an Emergency Preparedness Plan – and does it meet the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)? In this discussion, we review what nursing homes need to know about CMS' standards, including the Final Rule and State Operations Manual Appendix Z. We'll also share resources to help assess your facility's plan.

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

Related links: 

• Download Quality Insights’ “Long-Term Care Facility Emergency Preparedness Plan: Outline”
• Download Quality Insights’ “Long-Term Care Facility Emergency Preparedness Plan: Check List”
• View a video recording of this episode with demonstration of these tools

Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.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-102722-CC-A 

What’s the latest COVID-19 guidance that nursing home workers need to know? In today’s episode, we’ll discuss recent updates on testing, quarantining, and more.

We're joined by Jennifer Brown, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Jennifer directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and ext 9864. You can also contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Related links: 

• Watch a video recording of the episode
• View the presentation slides

Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.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-102022-CC-A

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will soon be revising its Critical Element Pathways, including its pathways for infection prevention. In this episode, we give an overview CMS' Critical Element Pathways for infection prevention, and also discuss how to utilize these pathways to prevent facility-acquired infections — resulting in reduced hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits.

We're joined by Cindy Wandling, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Cindy directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and ext 3235. You can also contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Related links: 

• Watch a video recording of the episode
• View the presentation slides

Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.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-101222-CC-A 

One of the most effective interventions to prevent multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in nursing homes are Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP). In today's episode, we discuss an overview of EBP — including a history of MDROs; who's at risk for infection; the rationale for EBP; and guidelines for implementing EBP. 

We're joined by Cindy Wandling, quality improvement specialist at Quality Insights. If you want to reach Cindy directly, you can call Quality Insights at 1-800-642-8686 and ext 3235. You can also contact her via email at [email protected]. 

Related links: 

• Watch a video recording of the episode
• View the presentation slides here
• Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) Safety Audit
• Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) Resident Evaluation Tool

 Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.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-100622-CC-A 

In this first episode of COVID in WV, we spoke with LaKeisha Barron-Brown of Charleston, West Virginia. LaKeisha lost her 21-year-old son, Jon’Tavese O’mari Brown in October 2021 to COVID-19. Lakeisha spoke with us a few weeks ago to share his story and her own story.

COVID in WV is a podcast series by Quality Insights for Project WAVE: West Virginians Advocating for Vaccination Empowerment. Project WAVE is funded through the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Public Health. Learn more at qualityinsights.org/wave. 

The music in this episode is "Paper Feather" by Blue Dot Sessions, which is licensed for free usage under an Attribution-NonCommercial License.

This program is being presented with financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Publication No. WVCOVID-093022-CC.

The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has recently revised its definition of "up to date" on COVID-19 vaccinations. In this episode, we review the new definition as well as other recent changes to NHSN's person-level or event-level vaccination forms.

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

Related links from this episode: 

• COVID-19 Vaccination Modules: Key Terms (NHSN)
• COVID-19 Module - Long Term Care Facility (NHSN): Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway (NHSN form)
• COVID-19 Module - Long Term Care Facility: Staff and Personnel Impact (NHSN form)
• Instructions for Completion of the COVID-19 Long-term Care Facility (LTCF) Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway Form (NHSN)
• Instructions for Completion of the COVID-19 Long-term Care Facility (LTCF) Staff and Personnel Impact Form (NHSN)
• 5-Step Enrollment for Long-term Care Facilities (CDC) 

 Check out our other interviews by visiting https://www.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-092922-CC-A 

The SBAR communication technique — which stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation — is the gold standard for sharing information in medical settings. So what does SBAR look like in action and how can it be used to improve health outcomes? In today's episode, we discuss and demonstrate how SBAR can be used for infection control in long-term care facilities.

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

Links to resources discussed in this episode: 

• SBAR Overview Flyer: https://8095482.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/8095482/QIN%20Resources/SBAR%20flyer.pdf 
• AHRQ SBAR Toolkit for Suspected UTI: https://www.ahrq.gov/nhguide/toolkits/determine-whether-to-treat/toolkit1-suspected-uti-sbar.html 

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-092222-CC-A 

People who work in long-term care know that staff vaccinations are key to stopping the spread of viruses like influenza. But how do you increase vaccination rates in your facility? Fellowship Community infection preventionist Audrey Fernald joins us to share how her facility successfully increased staff vaccination rates.

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-091522-CC-A

How can technology help skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) enhance quality of care and improve resident outcomes? In today's episode, Chris Gerace Johnson of Real Time Medical Systems joins us to discuss how their software solution — which is free for SNFs — can automate infection control surveillance, identify gaps in documentation, and more. 

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-090822-CC-A

Moving into the fall months, long-term care facilities must prepare for an increase in COVID-19 and flu cases. What can your facility do to keep staff and residents healthy? In today's episode, we discuss the importance of reporting symptoms and getting influenza and COVID-19 vaccines — and how to support members in your health care team who may have vaccine hesitancy.

We're joined by Jennifer Brown, Quality Improvement Specialist and Infection Preventionist at Quality Insights. To contact Jennifer, email [email protected] or call 1-800-642-8686 ext. 3227.

Related links: 

• CDC: Stay Home When Sick
• CDC: Quarantine Isolation by Contingency
• CDC: Addressing Vaccine Misinformation
• Johns Hopkins Medicine: COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy: 12 Things You Need to Know
• CDC: Talking with Patients about COVID-19 Vaccination
• Joint Commission: Influenza and Influenza Vaccine Myths and Reality

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-090122-CC-A