On November 15, 2016 the Department of Public Health, Division of Health Care Quality released Circular Letter DHCQ:16-11-662 Admissions of Residents on Medication Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder to Long Term Care Facilities. This circular letter provides guidance to long-term care facilities that admit residents that require skilled nursing care and who are also being treated for opioid use disorder with medication assisted treatment (MAT).

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Health Care Safety & Quality's webinar regarding Substance Use Disorders (SUD) in nursing homes is scheduled for tomorrow, November 17th from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. During this webinar, staff from the Bureau’s Division of Health Care Facility Licensure and Certification will share guidance with nursing homes on the topic of SUD in nursing homes. This presentation will assist nursing homes in understanding a facility’s role in regard to treatment and safety

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) last week issued its Administrative Bulletin setting forth the compliance criteria and reporting procedures for the $35.5million Direct Care Add On program included in the SFY 2017 budget act. We are pleased to report that EOHHS responded to a number of concerns raised by MSCA in regard to the compliance rules, including: (1) baseline period, (2) ‘reconciliation’ process and (3) informational sessions. Baseline period – is set at January 1, 2016

Mass Senior Care brought together a sold-out crowd of over 1,000 long term care professionals at the 2016 Annual Meeting & Trade Show held at the DCU Center in Worcester on November 10th. The event’s popularity spoke to the high level of involvement of our member facilities and associate members from across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker opened the morning session by thanking attendees for proving high quality compassionate care and spoke about his personal experience with the staff

AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is pleased to announce that the 2017 application packets are now available online. In addition, the 2017 program calendar and submission checklist have been posted to each award level page. Please visit the Bronze, Silver or Gold application pages to download application materials specific to your respective award level to see how your center should begin preparing. Important Dates to Remember November 17 - Intent to Apply Deadline December 1 - Applications are accepted online

AHRQ’s new Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide is a research-based resource that offers step-by-step instructions and materials to help nursing homes improve antibiotic use and decrease harms caused by inappropriate prescribing. The guide, which is consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's core elements of antibiotic stewardship, can also help health care providers meet the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new Infection Prevention and Control Program requirements. That program requires providers to have a systemt o prevent

The Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign was initiated in September, 2006 with the mission to make nursing homes better places to live, work, and visit. With an unprecedented coalition of stakeholders, this voluntary effort helped focus providers, government entities, as well as professional and consumer advocates to help nursing homes measurably improve care. Please click here for information on the transitioning of this campaign to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) National Nursing Home Quality Improvement

“There is a saying that if you do not know where you are coming from, you will never know where you are going. My geriatric patients are living pieces of history who have so much insight about life and the way it falls together. It is always a pleasure and honor taking care of them, because they have allowed me to have a future.” Before entering nursing school Latanya Marriott was almost certain she would specialize in pediatrics. It was

OSHA has updated its Guidelines for Safety and Health Programs . The guidelines are not new mandates, but are recommended practices to prevent workplace injuries that can be implemented in any industry. They are designed to be used in a variety of small-and medium-sized business settings, including senior living providers. The Administration has compiled tools, such as a program audit tool to help providers evaluate their safety and health program. The website also includes action items for employers, case studies

OSHA has extended the effective date of the anti-retaliation provision in its final rule, Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses until Dec. 1, 2016. This is an additional extension from the original August date, which was then extended until Nov. 1, 2016. This is one provision of the OSHA rule, which requires nursing centers, assisted living communities, and other employers to electronically submit workplace injuries and illnesses as well as post anti-retaliation protections for workers who report work-related injuries or illnesses. Source: OSHA