Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Published on Fri Aug 14, 2015 PDF

Consider New Pressure Ulcer Guidance On ‘Bottoming Out’

Are you using the “hand check method” to monitor bottoming out? If so, the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) says this isn’t a good idea.

In a new Position Statement entitled, “Hand Check Method: Is it an Effective Method to Monitor for Bottoming Out?” NPUAP recommends limiting the use of the hand check to static air overlay mattresses. “This method of determining bottoming out is inappropriate for replacement mattresses and integrated bed systems (bed frame and support surface),” NPUAP says.

To read the Position Statement, go to www.npuap.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Hand-Check-Position-Statement-June-2015.pdf.

Check Out 3 New Draft MDS 3.0 Documents

Changes are afoot for several MDS assessments, but don’t get too excited yet — only drafts are available at the moment.

On April 16, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) posted three drafts of the MDS 3.0:

1. MDS 3.0 Nursing Home Comprehensive (NC) Version 1.14.0 — www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Downloads/Draft-of-the-MDS-30-Nursing-Home-Comprehensive-NC-Version-1140.pdf;

2. Sections A and GG of the MDS 3.0 — www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Downloads/MDS-30-SECTIONS-A-AND-GG-DOCUMENT.pdf; and

3. The New MDS 3.0 Prospective Payment System (PPS) Part A Discharge (End of Stay) Version 1.14.0 — www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Downloads/Draft-of-the-new-MDS-30-PPS-Part-A-Discharge-End-of-Stay-NPE-SPE-Version-1140.pdf.

You can also access these draft documents by visiting www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/SNF-Quality-Reporting-Program-Measures-and-Technical-Information.html and scrolling down to the bottom of the page for the Downloads section. Note that CMS has not yet determined a proposed effective date for these drafts.