Hello, everyone!
Here are some home health related updates for this week:
AMITY’S NEWS
Amity’s virtual skilled nursing competency program has reached its 1st milestone- 100 NURSES participated in our 4- hour Virtual Skilled Nursing training/competency program since our launch date of March 18, 2021.
Here is some of the feedback we consistently hear from our program participants:
- There is an increased sense of knowledge and comfort with complex home health documentation requirements as related to OASIS, Plan of Care, ongoing documentation, etc.
- There is an increased sense of preparedness and confidence when working with advanced clinical skills such as tracheostomy care, wound vac care, PICC care, etc.
- There is a general sense of confidence knowing the company invested into staff’s training and education
To register for a virtual skilled nursing competency, please go to: https://amityhealthcaregroup.com/virtual-nursing-competency/
Please call 303-690-2749 for additional questions.
NATIONAL NEWS
Public Health Emergency Declaration Renewed
Effective April 21, 2021, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed the Public Health Emergency declaration for another 90 days. The renewal becomes effective on April 21, 2021 and will expire on July 20, 2021. Federal waiver flexibilities granted since the PHE was initiated will continue to be in effect as well.
Reporting Exception Granted Due to Texas Severe Winter Storms
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is granting exceptions under certain Medicare quality reporting and value-based purchasing programs to the providers located in areas affected by the Texas Severe Winter Storm to assist these providers while they direct their resources toward caring for their patients and repairing structural damages to facilities.
For further information about these exceptions and home health specific instructions, please go to https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/HomeHealthQualityInits/Home-Health-Quality-Reporting-Reconsideration-and-Exception-and-Extension
A Tip from ACHC: G 716-Common Home Health Deficiency
As per Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), providers continue to be cited for failing to properly document that intravenous care is provided as directed in the plan of care and according to accepted professional standards of practice.
For example, a provider writes, “PICC dressing changed and IV administered as ordered per SASH protocol.” However, this does not fully describe the care provided and leaves room for interpretation.
This citation falls under Medicare Condition of Participation 484.75(b)(6) G716 requires skilled professional services to prepare clinical notes of the care and services provided
The expectation for documenting SASH protocol would be as follows:
- Frequency
- Solutions (normal saline [NS], heparin)
- Volumes and concentrations, including when the saline, administer infusion, saline, heparin (SASH) method is to be used (cannot just write “SASH”)
While dressing change documentation should include the following:
- Issues with removing previous dressing, if applicable.
- Cleansing agent (CHG, alcohol, and/or povidone-iodine).
- Securement/anchoring devise used (StatLock, Hubguard, WingGuard).
- Antimicrobial patches or gels used (Biopatch, CHG).
- Skin-prepping agents used.
- Type of dressing applied (TSM, gauze, CHG-impregnated).
- Any complications.
- Any communications with physician or actions taken to resolve complications.
- Patient response.
COLORADO NEWS
Prior Authorization Request (PAR)Requirement for Pediatric Long-Term Home Health and Private Duty Nursing
The PAR requirement for Pediatric Long-Term Home Health (PLTHH) and Private Duty Nursing (PDN) have been suspended since July 1, 2020. These PARs will resume no earlier than August 1, 2021. Sufficient and timely communication regarding those implementation plans will be provided to allow for planning and preparation and will be posted on the Private Duty Nursing and Pediatric Long-Term Home Health Services Pre-Approval Project web page and the ColoradoPAR: Health First Colorado Prior Authorization Request Program web page.
The Agencies should continue to provide medically necessary services for PLTHH and PDN. Providers can submit the claims to the Department’s fiscal agent if the services are medically necessary and in compliance with rules and regulations.
Note: This PAR suspension does not affect Long-Term Home Health PARs for Adults (members aged 21 and over).
Utilization Management (UM) Vendor Transition
Just a quick reminder that effective May 1, 2021, Keystone Peer Review Organization (Kepro) will replace eQHealth Solutions Inc. as the new Utilization Management (UM) vendor to administer the ColoradoPAR Program. Please take a note of the Special Provider Bulletin issued on April 21, 2021 that provides details of the transition process: https://hcpf.colorado.gov/sites/hcpf/files/Bulletin_0421_B2100462.pdf
Flu Vaccination Reporting
The Flu Vaccination Reporting functionality is now available through the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) system. CDPHE updated the user manual to include instructions on how to send a flu vaccination report at https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/cohfiprovidermanual/flu-vaccination-reporting.
Please note that:
- The reporting period is October 1st, 2020 through March 31st, 2021.
- The reporting deadline has been extended from May 15th to May 31st, 2021 for this year.
- Currently, only COHFI Account Managers can submit a flu vaccination report.
Amity’s Friday emails (newsletters) will be archived on Amity’s Healthcare Group website at https://amityhealthcaregroup.com/resources/ under Weekly Newsletter section.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for any assistance or questions via email, phone or website at https://amityhealthcaregroup.com/resources/
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Thank you,
Irina Gorovaya, RN BSN, MBA
Amity Healthcare Group, LLC
Home Health Consulting, Education and Outsourcing Services
720-353-7249 (cell) 303-690-2749 (office) 720-398-6200 (fax)