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CMS announces new nursing home rules
On September 28, CMS released new rules designed to reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions and infections, improve the quality of care, and strengthen safety measures for residents of long-term care facilities. Among other things, the rules increase staff training requirements, call for plans to monitor the use of antibiotics, and guarantee the rights of patients and families to sue facilities.
Read about the new rules in a CMS press release or a blog post from the agency’s Acting Administrator.
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ACL funds an advocacy center for people with disabilities
A 5-year, $2 million grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) will establish a new National Resource Center for Self-Advocacy to strengthen the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grant will fund a group of partner organizations to conduct research and report on the self-advocacy movement, set up an online clearinghouse, provide training and technical assistance, and make mini-grants for leadership development.
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4 medication safety tips for older adults
FDA recommends the following four safety tips for medication use by older adults:
- Take medicine as prescribed—with input from your health care provider
- Keep a medication list
- Be aware of potential drug interactions and side effects
- Review medications with your health care provider
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Visit FDA.gov for details and a downloadable fact sheet to use in your community.
Visit Disability.gov for autumn safety tips, including more about medications.
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GAO: We need better long-term care workforce info
The U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) analyzed available federal data on nursing assistants, home health aides, and other direct care workers and found they make up more than 20% of the nation’s health care workforce. But it also found gaps in data and little information about independent providers—people who take care of family members and other individuals. GAO’s conclusion: the Health Resources and Services Administration should develop methods to overcome these data limitations and begin making direct care workforce projections. Read the report or listen to a 4-minute podcast on the GAO website.
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Funding Opportunity
Title: Interventions for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Native American Populations.
- Sponsor: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Letter of intent (optional): April 12, 2017
- Application: May 12, 2017
Visit the NIH website for more information.
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New CMS newsletter: Covering Indian Country
“Covering Indian Country,” a new monthly e-newsletter from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division of Tribal Affairs, is for health care navigators, patient benefits coordinators, and other enrollment assisters. It features success stories from the field, best practices, communications and education resources, and upcoming events. You can sign up now to begin receiving the newsletter in November.
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