The National Nursing Home Quality Improvement Campaign (NNHQIC) seeks pilot testers for a new Dementia Care and Psychotropic Medication Tracking Tool. This Excel-based tool will track information for individuals living with dementia AND any resident for whom psychotropic medications are prescribed.  It will support and prompt individualized care, document key processes, and provide information to identify opportunities and drive improvement. Interested organizations please send a message to Help@nhQualityCampaign.org to request additional information on participating in the pilot test.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Recently Strengthened its Black Box Warning About Fluoroquinolone Use

Appropriate fluoroquinolone prescribing is important for patient safety. A recent study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases reports that fluoroquinolones are commonly prescribed for conditions when antibiotics are not needed at all, or when fluoroquinolones are not the recommended first-line therapy.

New Survey process preparation materials, aka Long-term Care Survey Pathways, updated in August 2018.

CMS updated these Long-term care survey process (LTCSP) FAQs on Aug. 3, 2018.  Topics covered: 

A. 483.10 Resident Rights; B. 483.12 Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation; C. 483.15 Admission, Transfer, and Discharge; D. 483.20 Resident Assessments; E. 483.21 Comprehensive Resident Centered Care Plans; F. 483.24 Quality of Life; G. 483.25 Quality of Care; H. 483.30 Physician Services; I. 483.35 Nursing Services; J. 483.40 Behavioral Health Services; K. 483.45 Pharmacy Services; L. 483.50 Laboratory, Radiology, and Other Diagnostic Services; M. 483.55 Dental Services; N. 483.60 Food and Nutrition Services; O. 483.65 Specialized Rehabilitative Services; P. 483.70 Administration, F838 Facility Assessment; Q. 483.75 Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI); R. 483.80 Infection Control; S. 483.85 Compliance and Ethics Program; T. 483.90 Physical Environment; U. 483.95 Training Requirements; V. LTC Survey Process Training; W. LTC survey Process; and Z. General Questions.

 The purpose of a revisit is to determine:

• · If the facility has corrected identified substantial noncompliance and is now in substantial compliance; or
• · If immediate jeopardy (IJ) has been removed based upon the implementation of an accepted, written removal plan (for IJs not removed onsite during the original survey)