News

Assisted Living Quality Measures Coming to the Data Portal in January

On December 22, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota's exciting new Data Portal continues to expand to provide opportunities for tracking and benchmarking your performance on key metrics. In January, we will launch the assisted living quality and services measures portal application.

CMS’ Nursing Home Stakeholder Call, Jan. 5

On December 22, 2022 by Mark Schulz

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host the first Nursing Home Stakeholder Call of the new year on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. CST. The discussion will focus on post-acute care quality reporting programs. The event is open to the public; registration is required. After you register, you will receive zoom information.

Initial Recommendations Released from National Nursing Home Quality Coalition

On December 8, 2022 by Julie Apold

The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition has issued its first recommendations to address the key recommendations outlined in the April 2022 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report – The National Imperative to Improve Nursing Home Quality: Honoring Our Commitment to Residents, Families, and Staff. 

Temporary Nurse Aide Program Extension, Next Steps

On October 13, 2022 by Anna Mowry

Minnesota's nurse aides hired or who worked during the 1135 waiver now have until April 5, 2023, or the end of the public health emergency (PHE), whichever is sooner, to be placed on the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry.

Check your MNITS Mailbox if you are a HCBS Provider: Revalidation in Process

On September 29, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

The revalidation process has begun for providers enrolled with DHS as a Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) provider which includes waiver services for Adult Day Services, Assisted Living (Customized Living), as well as Home Health Agencies.

Resident and Family Satisfaction Surveys to Inform Assisted Living Report Card

On September 28, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In partnership with Vital Research, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Board on Aging are preparing for data collection for the Assisted Living Report Card. Assisted living directors will be informed by letter of the plans for this year's statewide assisted living resident quality of life and family satisfaction surveys in early October.

New Five-Star Reports Available with Staffing Domain Changes

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

New Five-Star Reports that reflect recent changes to the Five-Star Staffing Domain are ready to view in the LeadingAge Minnesota Data Portal. Primary contacts have access to the portal to view these reports. 

Preventing Ingestion-related Adverse Events

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

LeadingAge Minnesota has recently updated a Property/Grounds Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Tool (Ingestion-related events) as a guide to conduct regular safety checks to ensure that your property and grounds are maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

Updated SNF QRP User’s Manual Now Available

On September 15, 2022 by Julie Apold

The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quality Measures Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 4.0 is now available. Changes go into effect on Oct. 1.

New SNF QRP Measure Begins Oct. 1

On August 25, 2022 by Julie Apold

Care centers must track and report flu vaccination information to the CDC this fall.

The reporting period for the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) measure "Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel" (HCP) begins Oct. 1.

CMS Releases Final SNF PPS Rule; Includes Cuts Related to Impact of PDPM

On August 4, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

Late last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the annual final rule that updates the Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates for care centers.

Weekend Staffing and Staff Turnover Data Added to Five-Star Quality Ratings

On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold

The July 2022 Care Compare refresh includes the addition of nursing home staff turnover rates and weekend nurse staffing levels to the Five-Star Quality Ratings. The refresh also consists of a change to how staffing scores can impact a nursing home's Overall Five-Star Quality Rating.

Safe Care Stories from the Field: Cuyuna Regional Medical Center

On July 14, 2022 by Julie Apold

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center: Shift-to-Shift Team Safety and Dignity Rounds

Today, we highlight a successful Safe Care practice from Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Crosby – Change of Shift Nursing Team Rounds. Jenny Pederson, RN, Quality Care Coordinator for the Care Center, is leading this new practice. It takes approximately five minutes during shift change and prioritizes residents' safety and dignity.

New Dietary Safety Video Available

On June 16, 2022 by Julie Apold

Are you interested in improving your mealtime safety practices but don't know where to start? LeadingAge Minnesota, as part of Safe Care, has developed a new video demonstrating two essential dietary safety practices – Pre-Meal Huddles and Dietary Safety Pauses.

Safe Care Begins with You in 2022

On May 5, 2022 by Julie Apold

After over two years of COVID-19, we invite you to join us in the latest Safe Care Living the Pledge activity, called “Living the Pledge Every Day.” In a few weeks, we will share easy-to-use tools and resources to refocus on the key components of the Safe Care Pledge through monthly activities that you can bring to your community. They will help your organization celebrate and renew your commitment to respect, dignity, safety, and quality of life for those we serve.

Early Bird Pricing Ends April 15 for PENworks Conference

On April 7, 2022 by Julie Apold

Early bird registration for PENworks 2022 ends on April 15. Don't miss this opportunity to gain powerful insights on improving organizational and community outcomes and bring home real methods, tools, and approaches that improve leadership, customer and workforce engagement, and financial and market results. 

Special Member Pricing for May PENworks Conference

On March 10, 2022 by Julie Apold

Through our partnership with the Performance Excellence Network (PEN), LeadingAge Minnesota members receive discounted registration for the May PENworks Conference. This year’s conference theme is “CHARTING THE COURSE: Leading Forward” and features over 25 local, regional and national speakers, each sharing best practices centered on visionary leadership, organizational resilience, valuing people, and innovation. 

New Safe Care Resource Available to Prevent Dietary Safety Events

On March 3, 2022 by Julie Apold

Pre-meal safety checks can help prevent harmful mistakes related to food allergies and modified food textures. A new LeadingAge Minnesota Safe Care resource, Preventing Dietary Safety Events, is available to address these two dietary safety issues that have emerged from analysis of OHFC substantiated event reports and Immediate Jeopardy citations:

Re-Commit to Safe Care as Quality Garners Support from White House

On March 3, 2022 by Julie Apold

With a goal of eliminating preventable harm in the course of caregiving, the LeadingAge Minnesota Safe Care initiative directly addresses the White House’s recent call for nursing homes to prevent resident harm and improve safety and quality.

DHS Ends Current Round of Assisted Living Report Card Resident Satisfaction Surveys

On March 3, 2022 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that they are ending this current round of Assisted Living Resident Satisfaction surveys. The surveys are currently being conducted under contract by Vital Research.