Content contained in this newsletter may have been previously published in prior issues of the QCC newsletter.
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The Florida Nursing Home
Quality Care Connection
  
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Recruit and Retain Quality Staff
No two days are the same in a nursing home. To meet daily challenges, a quality-driven nursing home identifies and develops great talent. This can be done by setting high expectations and fostering an affirming culture. Nursing homes also must recruit and hire qualified staff members who fit their mission, values, and culture. Staff longevity can then be cultivated through:
  • A supportive work environment that encourages strong relationships across disciplines
  • The exchange of information about resident care
  • Diverse perspectives in problem solving 
Ultimately, every member of the team will feel that his or her primary purpose is to provide quality care to residents. For more insight and practical tips about building a solid team, read pages 10-13 of the Change Package.   
 
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Antipsychotic Medications Quality Management Tips/Change Ideas
The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes established a goal to reduce the use of antipsychotic medications in long-stay nursing home residents by 25 percent by the end of 2015, and 30 percent by the end of 2016. To start, nursing home staff members can examine the following questions:
  1. Is there an optimum number of staff members and do staffing patterns support individualized, person-centered care?
  2. Is there adequate staff training on dementia and on understanding and responding to behavior as a means of communication?
  3. Does support exist within the nursing home to change the use of antipsychotics?
  4. Do staff members request antipsychotics prior to assessment of a resident?   
  
Next month: Change ideas for pain management. 
QAPI Corner
Step 2: Develop a Deliberate Approach to Teamwork
Teamwork can vary greatly between organizations, and in many cases people work together without being defined as a formal team. No matter the structure, a good team will have a clear sense of purpose, defined roles, and a commitment to actively engage each member.

Teamwork is essential for Quality Assessment & Performance Improvement (QAPI) success. For example, Performance Improvement Project (PIP) teams often are formed for long-term work on an issue and to improve quality measures. Below are some basic guidelines for a developing a PIP team:  
  • The PIP team should be composed of interdisciplinary members.
  • Family members and residents may be team members.
  • PIP teams need to plan for sufficient communication.
  • Leadership needs to support PIP teams.
For more information about teamwork,  read pages 10-11 of QAPI At-a-Glance .
  
Next month: Focusing on a deliberate approach to teamwork.
HSAG Resource Spotlight
This material was prepared by Health Services Advisory Group, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for Florida, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy. Publication No. FL-11SOW-C.2-09092016-01
Upcoming Webinar

Effectively Engaging Patient and Family for Better Healthcare 
 
Tuesday,
October 18, 2016
1 to 2 p.m. ET
12 noon to 1 p.m. CT 
 
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