This month’s Commitment to Care (C to C) THCA is highlighting Infection Control – Still the Most Commonly Cited Tag in Texas

Member Alert

“The Quality Initiative Series – Succeeding in the Midst of Change”

The AHCA Quality team is creating a series of FREE education Webinars which covers the best practices to help members with many of the new regulatory, payment or public reporting changes. The series is designed to provide critical support to members. It will consist of eight webinars and will start on July 27, 2016, 3 PM EST with a focus on rehospitalizations. You can register for the first webinar here.

The schedule is as follows:

July 27, 2016              
1- Reducing Rehospitalization: Practical Strategies for Success

September 28, 2016  
2 – Discharge to Community

November 16, 2016    
3 – Unintended Healthcare Outcomes

January 25, 2017       
4 – Staff Stability

April 26, 2017             
5 – Antipsychotic Drug Reduction 

June 21, 2017            
6 – Functional Outcomes

September 20, 2017  
7 – Customer Satisfaction/Experience                      

November 15, 2017   
8 – Hospital Admissions in Long Stay Settings

Register Now for the 2016 Geriatric Symposium

Aug. 1-2, 2016
Austin Marriott North, Round Rock, Texas

The 2016 Geriatric Symposium – Texas Taking the Next Step is a free two-day event filled with top speakers and health care professionals from across the nation.   Continuing education credits for nurses, certified nurse aides, and licensed nursing facility administrators as well as other ancillary health care disciplines will be offered.

The 2-day event is divided into two tracks:

Aug. 1 — Advancing Nursing in Long-term Care — is designed for long-term care nurses to learn not only about working with patients who have dementia, but also to provide information about other clinical areas.

Aug. 2 — Dementia in Long-term Care and Community Settings — is designed to help all health care professionals, family members and private caregivers learn more about caring for people who are older or who have dementia.

Developed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), in collaboration with The University of Texas (UT) at Austin School of Nursing, the Texas Health Care Association (THCA), TMF Quality Innovation Network – Quality Improvement Organization (TMF QIN-QIO), the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Texas Association for Home Care & Hospice (TAHCH).

For more information, and to register click HERE.

President’s Report

• President’s Report – July 2016

 Legislative Update

• State Leaders Tell Agencies to Cut Their Budgets by Four Percent

• Final THCA Endorsed Candidate Wins Primary

Commitment to Care

• Commitment to Care News – July 2016

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If you have any questions about the THCA Commitment to Care Initiative or would like to share your facilities successes please contact Gloria Bean-Williams by email or call (512) 458-1257.

State / THCA News

• 2014 NF Medicaid Cost Report Analysis

• DADS Issues Information Letter No. 16-22: FY 2016 Fee-for Service Claims Billing Closeout

• Clarification for Hospice Resident on MMP

National / AHCA News

• HHS Office of Civil Rights Releases Guidance and Resources for Long Term Care Facilities on Using the MDS to Facilitate Opportunities to Live in the Most Integrated Setting

• Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care Open Door Forum

Announcements & Recognition

• Announcements/Recognition – July 2016

Education

• Save the Date!
  Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms: Surveillance, Prevention, and Control in Nursing Facilities
  July 14, 2016 – Midland
  July 28, 2016 – San Marcos

Calendar

• July 2016
• August 2016