News

Keys to Retaining Staff —Driver 2: Feeling Effective

On May 18, 2023 by LeadingAge

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This is the second in a series of articles from contributor Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology, featuring tools to improve staff mental health.

In an overview article, I introduced three major factors that can improve staff retention when attended to deliberately by you and the leaders in your buildings—staff feeling valued, supported, and effective. This article focuses on feeling effective.

Safe Care Addresses CMS Focus on Patient Safety

On March 23, 2023 by Julie Apold

During National Patient Safety Awareness Week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) highlighted their renewed focus on patient safety because harm is still too common and often preventable in a blog published on its website. Progress in patient safety has significantly declined since the beginning of the pandemic erasing previous patient safety gains.

Emergency Preparedness Planning Series for Nursing Homes

On January 26, 2023 by Julie Apold

Superior Health Quality Alliance is offering a free nine-part emergency preparedness series on Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m.

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. 

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.

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.

Quality and Safety

On August 26, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

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 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.

As Details of White House Nursing Home Proposal Emerge, More Questions Arise

On March 3, 2022 by LeadingAge

This week President Biden announced a wide-ranging nursing home reform initiative to be implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The announcement was timed to coincide with the State of the Union Address, but President Biden made only a very brief reference to one small part of his reform package in his speech Tuesday evening. After analyzing the proposal, we have more questions than answers, and the timeline for change is unclear.

Reminder: Heating Units Can Pose Risks to Residents

On December 23, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

With winter upon us, it's an excellent time to consider the risks that heating units can potentially create for residents in nursing homes and assisted living settings. 

Oct. 13-14 - Quality & Patient Safety Conference and Workshop

On September 23, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

The Quality and Patient Safety Conference on Oct. 14 in Bloomington and the pre-conference workshop, Foundations of Quality Improvement, on Oct. 13 focus on building and improving quality programs in all aging services settings.

Attend Pre-Conference Workshop to Strengthen Your Quality Improvement Program

On September 8, 2021 by Julie Apold

Join colleagues on Oct. 13 to learn and practice approaches to enhance your quality improvement program, use data and information to drive decision-making and develop and implement solutions to address priority issues.

Fall Conferences Coming in Sept. and October

On September 8, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Make plans to join us at three signature event conferences this fall – the virtual Annual Meeting and Leadership Forum, the Quality and Patient Safety Conference and Workshop, and the Connect Conference. Registration is open for all events.

Quality & Patient Safety Conference and Workshop October 13-14

On September 1, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Registration is open for this year’s Quality and Patient Safety Conference on Oct. 14 in Bloomington, and the pre-conference workshop, Foundations of Quality Improvement, on Oct. 13.

Staff COVID Culture of Safety Survey: Free Opportunity to Participate

On September 23, 2020 by Julie Apold

Are you seeing stress, burnout, and anxiety amongst your staff during the COVID-19 pandemic?  Do you want to gain additional insights into

Shared Accountability: New National Commission on Nursing Home Safety & Quality

On June 23, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

A new White House commission focused on protecting nursing home residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond was announced last week. Providers who were appointed to that commission are seeking deeper collaboration with regulators that is focused more on solutions, not penalties.  

Sue Kiel, Dietary Cook at North Share Health, Makes Zero Harm Possible

On January 12, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

Sue Kiel truly embodies the mission of providing community access to compassionate care each day in her work and is a tremendous team member who all who live and work at North Shore Health in Grand Marais.  For her commitment to safety, respect and dignity, Sue Kiel is the most recent recipient of the Make Zero Harm Possible award from LeadingAge Minnesota.  

Superior Health Rolls Out New Work to Support Quality and Safety in Nursing Homes

On January 7, 2020 by Jodi Boyne

The Superior Health Quality Alliance (Superior Health) is rolling out new work to help nursing homes and community coalitions improve quality and safety.