OIG Recommendations: More Than Just Smoke?

Recorded On: 03/08/2023

Findings in a recent study by the OIG “made it clear” that nursing homes in this country were not prepared for the sweeping health emergency that COVID-19 created, nor were they able to stem the devastation once it was evident that nursing homes were especially vulnerable. Virtually all nursing homes experienced infections, and more than 1,300 nursing homes had extreme infection rates of 75% or higher during a surge period and an average overall mortality rate close to 20%. The OIG commented that “significant changes are needed to protect the health and safety of residents and better prepare nursing homes for current and future health emergencies”.

The report went on to say “the survey process did not identify any deficiencies in infection control for the majority of the nursing homes with extremely high infection rates”. What does this mean to you and your fellow providers? Maybe nothing, however, historically, where there is smoke there is fire. Is renewed interest in “Enhanced Barrier Precautions” -- which were introduced in July 2019 -- more than just smoke?

This program was developed to assist providers in identifying areas of risk related to the OIG and CMS plans for addressing infection control. Please join us as we maneuver through the bureaucracy together. Remember, governmental agencies do not spend time investigating if there will be no victims.

Objectives:

Identify the importance of accessing OIG website information
Review the current OIG report and recommendations
Discuss the implications of the findings
Identify the importance of ensuring effective implementation of Enhanced Barrier Precautions

Attendees will be awarded 1.0 ANCC contact hours for completing the course/webinar.
Program Start Date: 3/07/23
Program Review Date: 3/6/26

This program has been submitted for Continuing Education for 1.00 total participant hours from NAB/NCERS. Program approval code: 20240306-1-A91453-DL

Call Maureen Rhone at 734-929-6446 for further information.

Angie Szumlinski, LNHA, GERO-BC, RAC-CT, BS

Director of HealthCap Risk Management Services

HealthCap

Ms. Szumlinski is a nationally-recognized leader in long-term care with experience as an Owner/Provider, Administrator, Director of Nursing, Corporate Quality Assurance Coordinator and independent consultant. Ms. Szumlinski conducts risk management visits at facilities across the country, touching every acuity level within the post-acute care spectrum. Ms. Szumlinski served as an Associate Board Member for NCAL, is a member of the AHCA/NCAL Survey/Regulatory committee, NCAL Quality committee, HCAM Legal/Clinical Committee, and is in her 8th year serving as a Senior Examiner/Team Leader for the AHCA/NCAL Quality Award Program. Ms. Szumlinski is a Nurse Planner for the HealthCap® RMS ANCC accredited education program.

John P. Hessburg

JD, The Kitch Law Firm

Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook

John Paul Hessburg is a Senior Partner in the firm of Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook in Detroit, Michigan, where he heads the firm’s Post-Acute Care practice group. John has represented healthcare providers for over 30 years. John is AV® Preeminent Peer Review rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a top healthcare lawyer by DBusiness Magazine. He has been working with HealthCap® since it wrote its first policy 21 years ago.

Cathy Hamblen, BSN, RN, CLNC, RAC-CT

Risk Manager

HealthCap Risk Management

Ms. Hamblen was educated at the University of Kentucky and presently is President of Hamblen Healthcare Consulting. She previously was Executive Vice President of Risk Management for multi-state Health Care Management group overseeing ten Nursing Home/Transitional Care facilities in Kentucky and Ohio. Cathyworked in the Acute Care setting for 23 years with a focus on Orthopedics and Management. She has worked as a Risk Manager for HealthCap since 2017. Cathy currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences.