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Archive July 2024

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Urgent Medical Device Correction

Abbott Laboratories has issued an urgent medical device correction for a limited number of FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors due to potential inaccuracies in glucose readings. This correction applies specifically to the sensor component of the FreeStyle Libre 3 system. 
Abbott has identified that some FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors may provide incorrect high glucose readings. These inaccuracies, if undetected, could pose a significant health risk for individuals living with diabetes by leading to incorrect treatment decisions, such as unnecessary insulin administration. Such errors can result in hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by low blood sugar.
The affected sensors are from the following lot numbers:
T60001948
T60001966
T60001969
This does not apply to all FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors, to determine if a current sensor or any unused sensors are affected, got to Confirm Sensor Serial Number
 
What to do if your sensors are affected:
1. Discontinue Use- Users with affected sensors should immediately stop using them and dispose of them properly.
2. Replacement- Abbott is offering free replacements for affected sensors. After confirming the status of your sensor on their website, users will be guided to provide contact information to receive replacement sensors at no cost.
3. Verification of symptoms- If there are symptoms that do not align with the sensor glucose readings, or if there is any suspicion of inaccuracy, users should conduct an alternative method to verify glucose reading, and/or seek immediate medical advice.

For further information or to report adverse reactions or quality issues, contact Abbott customer service at 1-833-815-4273, available 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding holidays.

Additionally, reports can be submitted to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by completing Form FDA 3500 online at www.FDA.gov, or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

CDC Releases Respiratory Toolkit

The CDC has released a toolkit for viral respiratory pathogens in Nursing Homes. 
This provides a step by step guide for preparing and responding to nursing home residents or healthcare personnel (HCP).  There are many valuable resources available in this as well. 
 Consider printing this tool and having it readily available for your team!
Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org

StrengthenME Worker Resources Still Available

Maine provides free resources for frontline workers. Read the latest update below and consider if they could be helpful for you or your colleagues. 

INDIVIDUAL WORK/LIFE COACHING: Access 1:1 confidential coaching with a licensed mental health counselor to assist with stress and to explore coping skills, wellness options and resilience strategies. Up to six 50-minute sessions, conducted via Zoom or Telephone.

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS**: Join one of our workshops offered weekly on a range of topics including: Engaging the Senses, Managing Your Time and Tasks, Less Stress Morning Routine and more! Visit our website for more information or to join one of our statewide virtual trainings or workshops, no registration required.
Accessible here: Healthy Life EAP - StrengthenME
 
FACILITATED GROUP DISCUSSIONS: Gather your work team together for a discussion about how group members are coping with stressors and what support they need from each other. A professional consultant facilitates the conversation and provides psycho-education around stress management.

**In addition to the services offered above, please know we can tailor our trainings and groups to your unique organizational and team needs. We currently have StrengthenME funding for these and other support services through March 2025, so now is the time to call us!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US AT: 1-800-769-9819 OR EMAIL US AT: strengthenME@NORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

July 2024 Revisions to 5-Star Rating Guide

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System Technical Users’ Guide for July 2024. This updated guide takes effect with the monthly data refresh that informs Care Compare. Here's a summary of the key changes to the Five-Star Quality Rating System:
  The staffing case-mix adjustment methodology is now based on the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM), and posted staffing levels will reflect this new method.
  The gap period for nurse staffing turnover has been extended from 60 days to 90 days.
  CMS has updated the risk-adjustment models for four claims-based measures to incorporate Section GG, removing Section G items from the models.
  The thresholds for staffing measures and claims-based quality measures (QMs) have been revised to maintain the same distribution of points affecting these QMs.

For more information, also see QSO-24-14NH “Nursing Home Data and Care Compare Updates”
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

CrowdStrike Disruption Possible Delay in Processing Claims

As you likely know, on Friday, July 19, a routine but defective automated cybersecurity software update deployed to certain Windows-based computer systems created worldwide infrastructure disruptions to airlines, mass transit, emergency response, financial, healthcare, and other systems. 

As a result of this, Maine Integrated Health Management Solution (MIHMS) applications were temporarily unavailable, and some claims were not able to process through the financial cycle, but these claims will be processed to pay this week.

National experts note this was not a cybersecurity incident like the Change Healthcare incident in February. The CrowdStrike outage appears to have disrupted some electronic health records (EHRs) and claims processing operations, but only for a short period of time. Additionally, no personal health information was compromised.

If you have any questions about the status of your claim or have financial concerns regarding your ability to wait an additional week for payment, you can contact your MaineCare Provider Relations Specialist. 

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Excellence in Long Term Care Awards Nominations are Open

MHCA is pleased to once again partner with the Maine Long Term Care Ombudsman Program to present the 2024 Excellence in Long Term Care Awards to recognize long term care employees across the continuum, including those working in home health care, assisted living, and nursing facilities.
 
The Excellence in Long Term Care Awards recognizes employees statewide who consistently exemplify a commendable level of caregiving, dedication, and professionalism in caring for their residents and consumers. Because many team members contribute to the quality of care and life, we present caregiving awards across all disciplines as follows:
  • Nursing/direct caregiver, such as a Nurse, CNA, PSS, CRMA, HHA, DSP, or other direct caregiver, AND
  • All other disciplines, like social work, dietary, activities, etc., from any other department
Facilities and organizations may submit one nomination in each category for a total of two nominations. All nominees must be employed by their organization/facility for at least one year. An independent panel of judges will select the winners, who will be recognized during a special live event on November 14.
 
There's never been a better time to honor your caregivers. Nominating your staff requires a small investment of time and energy but can mean much to the recipient. Submit your nomination online by August 9, 2024:
 
Award Nomination Form

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions or comments. 

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

Maine Dept. of Labor and NFIB to hold joint consultation sessions on labor law guidance for small businesses

Maine Dept. of Labor and NFIB to hold joint consultation sessions on labor law guidance for small businesses
 
Sessions will give businesses a chance to give their thoughts on what guidance materials would be helpful
 
MAINE – The Maine Department of Labor and the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) are partnering to host a series of focus groups with businesses, in order to help inform the Department’s work to develop a comprehensive guidance manual on Maine’s labor laws. The manual will be a publicly accessible and free resource for employers to easily understand their legal obligations.  In addition to the manual being useful for employers, the Maine Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Inspectors, who enforce employment laws, will also be using the resulting guidance materials in their everyday work. This is intended to increase transparency and consistency in how violations are determined.
 
The sessions will involve asking for feedback on formats, such as FAQs, case studies, and examples, to learn what would be the most useful in the guidance. 
 
“We want to make it as easy as possible for employers to understand their labor law obligations,” said Jason Moyer-Lee, MDOL’s Director of the Bureau of Labor Standards. “And the small employers we will be consulting – those with no HR departments or legal counsel on retainer – are in the best position to tell us how we can most effectively communicate with them.”
 
This joint initiative with the NFIB is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts in the area of “strategic enforcement,” or using resources most effectively to achieve widespread and long-lasting compliance with labor laws. Other recent initiatives have included increasing fines, obtaining the power to order the payment of wages and liquidated damages, and monthly meetings with business and union representatives.
 
“This success of this project will help thousands of small business people get a better idea of key Maine labor laws and how to avoid compliance missteps,” said David Clough, NFIB Maine State Director.
 
The Department is also excited to partner with the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition for one of the sessions to specifically connect with business owners in the New Mainer community.
 
“I support this initiative as it will help educate immigrants, who are frequently confused about labor laws, especially regarding workers' rights," said Mufalo Chitam, Executive Director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition.
 
The session information can be found below. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required:
  • August 8, 2024 from 9-10:30 a.m. at 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, in the Frances Perkins Room: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/labor-law-focus-group-august-8-tickets-951668956467?aff=oddtdtcreator
  • September 26, 2024 from 6-7:30 p.m. at MIRC in Portland – in partnership with the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, this session will be focused on hearing from business owners in the New Mainer community. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/labor-law-focus-group-september-26-tickets-951679578237?aff=oddtdtcreator
  • November 7, 2024 in Bangor, location and time to be determined
Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

Unlock Excellence: 2025 Quality Award Applications Are Now Available

The National Quality Award Program has announced the opening of the 2025 application cycle! Access new and enhanced educational materials on the Quality Award website to set yourself on the path to success.
Prepare for a transformative year with these essential resources:
• Comprehensive application packets: Bronze for SNFs & ID/DDs, Bronze for ALs, Silver and Gold
• Month-to-month roadmaps to guide Bronze, Silver and Gold applicants
• Kick-off webinar recorded on July 9 (in case you missed it)
• Criteria video series on ahcancalED
 
Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Get Ready for the August 14 Payroll-Based Journal Deadline

Staffing data for Q2 2024, April 1 – June 30, 2024, is due by 11:59 PM EST on August 14. Skilled nursing providers are advised to submit their data early and consult the staffing reports in CASPER to confirm the accuracy and completeness of their submissions. 
Here are five reminders to help you in submitting your Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data:
1.  Each staff member (employed directly or contract) should have a unique employee ID assigned to them. Do not utilize the same employee ID for more than one individual.?The 1702D Individual Daily Staffing Report provides a list of staffing hours per employee per day. This can be utilized to ensure that an employee ID is not accidentally assigned to more than one staff member. 
2. Providers should follow the instructions in the?employee ID linking file?to link an old employee’s ID with a new one. This ensures continuity in reporting an employee’s hours when their ID changes (e.g., due to a change of vendor).?
3. For every 8 hours of work, providers must exclude 30 minutes for a meal break. This must be deducted regardless of whether the meal was paid for or unpaid, and whether the break was taken.?
4. Submit data early so you have time to run and review PBJ CASPER Reports and make necessary corrections prior to the submission deadline. If any errors are identified, they must be corrected before the final submission deadline. Please note that corrections will not be accepted after this deadline. The 1702S Staffing Summary Report provides information on the number of staff by job title and the total hours reported for the given job title. This report can be helpful in identifying if there are zero hours reported for a particular job title (e.g. zero RN hours). The 1703D Job Title Report can also be helpful in drilling down by work date the staffing hours for a particular job title. This can be particularly helpful to ensure that there are RN hours for each day. 
5. If you are correcting data, be sure to utilize the “merge” and “replace” commands carefully. The “replace” command removes all the data for the quarter and replaces it with the new data in the file. Consult the PBJ User Manual for more information. 
AHCA released a?webinar?on best practices for submitting data for PBJ, including how CASPER Reports can be utilized prior to the submission deadline to review and validate submitted data. AHCA has also created a?frequently asked question resource?to support members with their staffing data submission.
CMS has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ:?
     CMS PBJ Website?
     Five-Star Technical User Guide?                                                                                                    
Technical questions should be directed to the iQIES Service Center. Note due to the upcoming deadline, they anticipate a high volume of calls and emails. They can be reached via one of the following methods:
Email: iqies@cms.hhs.gov? 
Schedule a service call at CCSQ Support Central  
Live Chat at CCSQ Support Central  
 
 
Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org

Clif Porter Announced as New AHCA/NCAL President and CEO

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and other long term care facilities that provide care to approximately five million people each year, formally announced the appointment of Clifton J. Porter, II as the new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective Fall 2024. Porter currently serves as Senior Vice President of Government Relations for AHCA/NCAL, leading the organization’s legislative agenda and advocacy efforts.

“Clif brings a unique blend of front-line experience and lobbying acumen that makes him an ideal candidate to head AHCA/NCAL,” said Phil Scalo, Chair of the AHCA Board of Governors. “We are delighted to see him take this next step, and we are confident AHCA/NCAL as well as the profession’s future will be bright under his leadership.”

Angela Cole Westhoff, MHCA President and CEO adds, “Clif is exactly the kind of passionate and highly effective advocate we need at the helm right now of the long term care sector. We applaud the search committee on their selection.”
Read more: https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCA-NCAL-Announces-Incoming-President-CEO.aspx

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
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