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WHO Declares Coronavirus Outbreak an International Emergency
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-CoV) outbreak in China a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on Jan. 30. WHO emphasized China will not be isolated from the global community, which can happen after a PHEIC is issued.
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New Coronavirus Exploding Out of China Poses Threat to Healthcare Workers
Given the deadly precedents of SARS and MERS coronaviruses, a rapidly emerging similar virus out of Wuhan, China, could pose a grave threat to healthcare workers in the United States. As of Jan. 21, the World Health Organization reported that 16 healthcare workers had been infected by the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019- nCoV), and none have died. However, those numbers were considered conservative amid a dramatically accelerating situation as this report was filed.
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The Conditions of Participation for Discharge Planning: Current Rules and 2020 Updates
In 2015, CMS introduced proposed rules for discharge planning. These proposed rules were to be used to update the current rules under the Conditions of Participation for Discharge Planning. In 2019, CMS provided the elements of the proposed rules that would be adopted in November 2019. This month, we will discuss the current rules, the proposed rules, and the final rules published in 2019.
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How to Initiate Serious Illness Conversations With Patients
Patients with serious and life-threatening illnesses are faced with choices on the treatments they receive or elect not to receive. The treatment for a patient with advanced cancer is different than the treatment for a patient with advanced heart failure or chronic obstructive lung disease. However, the essence of a serious illness conversation is the same: What are the patient’s goals, values, and preferences? How do those inform their plan of care?
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Getting Involved: Case Managers Go to Washington
Legislation and regulatory changes do not always seem in patients’ best interests. Insurance coverage issues have made news headlines. In skilled nursing facilities, physical therapy time has been limited by CMS, which has also triggered concerns. What can a case manager do? How can one influence state legislators/regulators, and public policy? Advocacy for patients is integral to the case manager’s role.
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Health System Makes Utilization Review Paperless, More Efficient
As health systems update and revamp their electronic health records, they might want to consider adding a case management module. An electronic health record that includes an acute case management module with robotic process automation can create seamless efficiency.
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Ensure Adherence by Addressing Patients’ Social Needs
If a patient fears he or she will get robbed leaving the pharmacy, he or she is less likely to buy the medication. The patient may be homeless, or simply cannot afford the medication. He or she may struggle with literacy and reading the prescription information. The patient may be depressed, or may not believe the medication will help. These all are realities for patients, especially those living in inner cities. The result is medication nonadherence, which can pose serious consequences for a patient’s health — and lead to billions of dollars in excess healthcare costs in the U.S. annually.
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Use Data-Driven Dashboard, Other Tools to Assist ED Navigation Team
ED navigation teams can connect patients to primary care providers, psychosocial programs, and community-based organizations to help keep people out of hospital beds and the ED.
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ED Care Transition Teams Can Address Behavioral, Social Needs
Health systems that employ care coordination/case management teams in the ED can save hundreds of thousands of dollars, and improve the health of some of their most vulnerable patients. The results of a recent study showed that frequent ED users experience higher death rates and greater health-related social needs. One solution is care coordination and communication.
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Check Your Practice: Are Unnecessary Pelvic Exams and Pap Tests Being Performed?
While pelvic examinations and cervical cancer screenings are no longer recommended for most young women under age 21 years during routine health visits, results from a new national study indicate that millions of women are undergoing these tests unnecessarily.