Nursing Home Quality (DC)

   Nursing Home Quality (DC)

Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals strive to deliver high-quality care to the nation’s vulnerable seniors. Unfortunately, many individuals are harmed while they are being treated. AQIN and Qlarant are working with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on several important projects to reduce healthcare-acquired conditions (HACs) in nursing homes, including pressure ulcers and physical restraints, by 40% by 2014.

HACs are a costly drain on our healthcare systems and often result in unplanned hospital readmissions and increased lengths of stay. But they can be prevented when the entire nursing home team, including administrators, nurses and other clinicians, dietary, therapists, housekeeping, and front-line staff use evidenced-based interventions daily with every resident. Preventing these conditions enhances the quality of life for Medicare beneficiaries and their families.

Nursing homes also play a vital role in reducing avoidable hospital readmissions. Recent studies show that more than 15% of Medicare beneficiaries are readmitted within 30 days of discharge at an estimated cost of $12 billion annually. Interventions to improve transfers between hospitals, nursing homes, and others along the continuum of care are well documented. Qlarant is working on community-based care transitions programs around the District of Columbia.

Reducing Pressure Ulcers

Nursing homes that work with Qlarant to reduce HACs, such as pressure ulcers, are well positioned to contribute to a 40% national reduction in HAC rates. Qlarant’s quality improvement staff includes nurses with experience working on wound care management in long-term care facilities in the District. They are available to provide on-site consulting regarding the best practices homes have used to document, manage, and prevent pressure ulcers among their residents. Additionally, our associates train your staff in quality improvement techniques, share evidence-based tools and resources, and provide ongoing staff education.

Clinical Topics

Antibiotic Stewardship

• Antibiotic Audit Record Form
• Core Elements Antibiotic Stewardship

Falls Management Mobility

• Stage Balance Test
• Comprehensive Fall Management
• Algorithm for Fall Risk Assessment & Interventions
• Fall Risk Checklist
• Measuring Orthostatic Blood Pressure
• Talking About Fall Prevention With Your Patients

LTC Regulations

• CMS Slides New Federal Regulations for Nursing Homes
• CMS Sepsis IC LTC Regs
• DOH LTC In Service

Pressure Ulcer

• Skin Care Expo (SCE) Toolkit:
  • Instructions
  • Braden Puzzle Pieces
  • Test Review
  • Test Answer Key
  • Take Home Sheet
•  Care Scene Investigation (CSI) Toolkit: 
  • CSI Appendix A Resources

Staff Stability Toolkit

• Title Page and Table of Contents
• Appendix A: Case Study
• Appendix B: Change Ideas for Consistent Assignment
• Appendix C: Employment Status
• Appendix C: Current Staff by Length of Service
• Appendix C: Vacancies
• Appendix C:  Turnover Rates
• Appendix C: Turnover Replacement Costs
• Appendix C: Terminations by Length of Service
• Appendix C: Absenteeism
• Appendix C: Call-In Log
• Appendix C: Incentives

QAPI Resources

• QAPI Written How-to-Guide
• QAPI Toolkit
• QAPI At A Glance

Reference Guides

• NNH QCC Handbook
• 4 Styles Communication Test