Hospital Home Health Archives – October 1, 2008
October 1, 2008
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Cyclically deficient HHAs find POC standards challenging
Fifteen percent of Medicare home health agencies were cited for the same certification deficiency on three consecutive surveys, according to a report issued by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General. -
Face-to-face meetings improve communications
Case conferences can be an excellent way to improve communications between staff members and ensure that the plan of care is up to date. -
Improve relationship with physician office staff
All you need is a signature. The challenge is tracking down the physician, getting him or her to review your plan of care and getting the document back into your records within the time frame allowed by Medicare. -
Managers think outside the box to address cost of gas
A creative approach to getting travel costs under control will mean an annual savings of least $50,000 for Alegent Health at Home in Omaha, NE. Moving to a fleet of agency-owned hybrid vehicles, the hospice and home health agency expects to save money previously reimbursed for employees' business travel costs. -
Market basket increases payments by 2.5% in 2009
Hospices serving Medicare beneficiaries will see a 2.5% increase in their payments for 2009, according to a final regulation published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). -
Divide lease fleet into mileage groups to save
The idea of an agency-leased fleet of cars for use by employees might seem overwhelming to some home care managers, but careful planning, thorough evaluation, and choosing the right vendor are essential for a successful program, says Denise McNitt, RN, MS, division executive for Alegent Health at Home in Omaha, NE. -
Show value of case staff to justify adding more
Most case management departments need more staff to adequately perform their duties but how do you justify it to a hospital administration that is pinching pennies just to stay afloat in today's tightening health care marketplace? -
Making your case for staff
In addition to giving your administration a list of roles, provide specific and detailed definitions and outline the functions your department performs for those roles, says Toni Cesta, RN, PhD, FAAN, vice president, patient flow optimization for the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and health care consultant and partner in Case Management Concepts LLC. -
News Briefs: Formula improves understanding of glucose
Researchers have found a mathematical relationship between two common blood glucose measurements that can help diabetics better monitor their condition. -
AHRQ addresses home role during flu pandemic
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has produced a publication to help home health agencies prepare for their role in a flu pandemic. -
Case managers: It's your time to shine
Case Management Week, Oct. 12-18, is a great opportunity for case managers in all settings to educate their co-workers and the public about what case managers do and the value they bring to the health care system, says Peter Moran, RN, C, BSN, MS, CCM, emergency department case manager at Massachusetts General Hospital and immediate past president of the Case Management Society of America (CMSA).