News Archives
November 2018 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Urge Congress to Finish HUD Funding Bill
On November 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Lame Duck Session is underway! We need members who serve seniors in affordable housing to contact our congressional delegation this week to ensure that a final fiscal year 2019 HUD appropriations bill is enacted.
Now Hiring: Nurse Consultant/Policy Analyst
On November 14, 2018 by Lori Meyer
In case you missed our article last week, Liz Sether, LeadingAge Minnesota’s long-time Nurse Consultant/Policy Analyst, has decided to step down from her 27 years of service to our members on Dec. 14. While we can never fill Liz’s shoes, we ae moving forward with the process to fill the position of Director of Clinical Care & Nurse Consultant.
Dec. 6 Quality Conference: Using Data to Achieve Quality Outcomes
On November 14, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
The Dec. 6 Quality Conference will feature sessions on how to understand the impact of data on your organization’s reimbursement, viability and market strength, as well as how to collect and analyze the right data to inform organizational improvement and marketplace positioning.
100 OnTrack-Trained Nursing Assistants on Registry
On November 14, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
More than 100 Nursing Assistants on the Minnesota Registry have been trained using the OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training curriculum. With a pass-rate trending 5 percent higher than the state average, we are happy with the continued success of OnTrack in the program’s inaugural year.
Food Code Rules in Brief: Consumer Advisory
On November 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The new food code that takes effect Jan. 1 will require retail food establishments that serve or sell raw or undercooked animal food will need to use a consumer advisory. Minnesota food code specifies how to inform consumers of potential health risks from eating raw or undercooked animal food:
The DC Perspective: Aging Services After the 2018 Midterm Election
On November 14, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The midterm election brought some big changes for members of Congress with jurisdiction over aging services issues, as well as a fresh outlook on what may be accomplished in the upcoming lame duck session and in the new Congress that will convene in January.
6 Trends Changing the Face of Intergenerational Senior Living
On November 14, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
The traditional notion of a “senior” is no longer relevant, and the preferences and desires of today’s older adult is driving changes in senior living focused on an active lifestyle, outside community and avenues to share experiences, skills, knowledge and wisdom. In 6 Trends Changing the Face of Intergenerational Senior Living, Senior Housing News interviewed more than 20 leaders leading the change.
Now Available: Free OSHA Consultation Visit
On November 14, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
Is your work place safe? Are you OSHA compliant? Through the free Workplace Safety Consultation service from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, employers can find out about potential hazards at their worksites, improve their safety management systems and even apply for a safety grant of up to $10,000 to abate safety hazards.
J2000: Prior Surgery – CMS Updates Coding Instructions
On November 14, 2018 by Elizabeth Sether, RN, MHA, LNHA
After the RAI manual updates were released for October 2018, an errata document was posted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website concerning J2000: Prior Surgery. In the Coding Tips on page J-35, there were three criteria for a procedure to be classified as major surgery and now there are only two criteria:
Elderly Waiver Rates for Jan. 1 Released
On November 14, 2018 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) yesterday published new rates for services under the Elderly Waiver (EW) program and other waiver programs that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2019. The new rates reflect the impact of the EW rate reform that the Long-Term Care Imperative was able to pass in 2017.
MNSCU Train the Trainer Not Required for OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training
On November 7, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
Nursing Assistant Training programs in Minnesota each offer their own unique Train the Trainer programs, requiring the RN to take the training that is associated with the curriculum they are preparing to teach. The OnTrack Nursing Assistant Training program offers its own unique, online and on-demand Train the Trainer program. OnTrack RN Trainers DO NOT take the MNSCU training.
LeadingAge Seeks Workforce “Moon Shot”
On November 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Workforce continues to be the one universal challenge that LeadingAge Minnesota members face, and now you can help us figure out our “moon shot” on workforce.
Dec. 6 Quality Conference: Take a Proactive Approach to Preventing Maltreatment
On November 7, 2018 by Heidi Simpson
The Dec. 6 Quality Conference will feature a full day of sessions devoted to help organizations improve quality. Learn how to instill a culture of safety in your organization that helps prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation of the people you serve.
LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Seeks Silent Auction Donations
On November 7, 2018 by Lori Meyer
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation is excited to announce our Third Annual Silent Auction that will take place as part of the 2019 Institute. Thanks to the generosity of the LeadingAge Minnesota community, our previous auctions have raised almost $20,000 to support the critical work of the Foundation. With your help we can make this year’s auction even more successful.
MDH Food Safety Partnership Issues Updates and Information for Food Licensees
On November 7, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
For the first time since 1998, Minnesota will have a new statewide rule for retail food establishment operations, including Food and Beverage Licensees operating in Senior Care and Housing Settings. The new code requirements for retail food establishments will be effective on Jan. 1, 2019. Over the next few months, the Food Safety Partnership of Minnesota will be your source to learn about:
Augustana Care and Elim Care Announce New Name
On November 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Augustana Care and Elim Care last week announced their new name: Cassia. The name evokes both organizations’ commitment to healing, wholeness and their quest for solutions that help those they serve to live well.
New Study Recommends Updating Adult Day Licensure, Using Data-Based Outcomes
On November 7, 2018 by Roni Falck
The first report in the Adult Day Services studies being conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been released and could provide some insight into potential legislative initiatives for the upcoming legislative session:
HSS Fall Learning Lab Showcases Quality Improvement
On November 7, 2018 by Jenna Kellerman
Health Support Specialists (HSS) at the Fall Learning Lab presented quality improvement projects that they designed, launched, tracked and refined over the past year. The quality improvement projects, completed through the ICan initiative with Performance Excellence in Aging Services, were designed to transform care at the bedside. After an incredibly difficult round of judging, three groups were recognized for their quality improvement programs:
Liz Sether Announces Retirement
On November 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
Liz Sether, LeadingAge Minnesota’s long-time Nurse Consultant/Policy Analyst, has decided that the time has come to retire. She will step down from her 27 years of service to our members on Dec. 14.
DFL Sweeps Statewide Offices, Flips Minnesota House
On November 7, 2018 by Jodi Boyne
When the votes were tallied last night, there was no denying the DFL in Minnesota. DFL candidates for statewide office were victorious in all races, the Minnesota House of Representatives flipped from Republican to DFL control and the DFL in Minnesota flipped two key seats to help Democrats regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Food Code Rules in Brief: Highly Susceptible Populations
On November 7, 2018 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota food code effective Jan. 1, 2019 includes the new term: highly susceptible population. The term identifies both who they are and where they are. A highly susceptible population means persons who are more likely than others in the general population to experience foodborne disease because they are:
Preview Reports for Publicly Reported Measures Available
On November 7, 2018 by Julie Apold
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Provider Preview Reports are now available for review prior to the January 2019 public display of the performance data on the Nursing Home Compare site. Corrections to the underlying data are not permitted, but providers can request a CMS review if they believe their data scores are being displayed inaccurately. Requests for review must be made by Nov. 30.