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Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Office of Inspector General
Division of Health Care
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Long Term Care Provider Newsletter
February 2023
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Submission Deadline
For password or other assistance, please email Michele Bushong at CONSurvey@ky.gov or call (502) 564-9592 extension 3152.
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LTC Ombudsmen Provide Residents’ Rights Education
to Nursing Facility Consumers
The Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (SLTCO) Program received a grant from the KY Civil Monetary Penalty Fund to support the education of consumers about residents’ rights through the Residents’ Rights Consumer Education Project. The purpose of the Residents’ Rights Consumer Education Project was to create written material for consumers of Certified Nursing Facilities (CNFs) in Kentucky. The new print material is in the form of a booklet focused on residents’ rights and regulation revisions. A PowerPoint presentation and a recorded presentation were also created. All materials are available at https://ombuddy.org/residents-rights/.
The Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass (NHOA) is an independent, nonprofit agency headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. NHOA was founded in 1981 by citizens concerned about conditions in area nursing homes. The mission of NHOA is to improve the quality of care for residents in long-term care facilities. The purpose of the agency is to provide LTC Ombudsman services.
NHOA’s Ombudsman Program is a nationally recognized advocacy program. The Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services contracts with NHOA to operate the Office of the SLTCO and the SLTCO Program.
Kentucky has 15 District Ombudsmen who coordinate ombudsmen services in each of the state’s Area Development Districts (ADDs). LTCO staff and volunteers in the 15 ADDs will distribute and review the new rights booklet at the bedside of CNF residents during regularly unannounced visits and council meetings.
This project was made possible by the Kentucky State Survey Agency and CMS. CMP Project # 2018-04-KY-0918D Residents’ Rights Consumer Education Project.
CONTACT:
Sherry Culp, Kentucky State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
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MDS Data Specifications V3.01.0 (DRAFT) Posted
The MDS Data Specifications V3.01.0 (DRAFT) are now available in the Downloads section on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 Technical Information page. CMS plans to release the final version of the Data Specification in May 2023. These specifications will go into effect on October 1, 2023.
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Provider and Supplier Compliance Education
Through Quality in Focus
CMS has developed a series of short (10–15 minutes), Quality in Focus (QIF) interactive videos tailored for specific provider types. These trainings highlight both specific citation patterns as well as compliance solutions to incorporate into a facility’s operational practices. Each video focuses on a specific health or safety citation, with the goal of helping facilities to proactively identify and prevent these deficiencies in the future.
QIF interactive videos are currently available for:
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Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) - Infection Control Citations;
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Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (IICF/IID) - Program Implementation Citations;
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Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) - Local, State, Tribal Collaboration Process Citations;
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Hospice - Plan of Care Citations;
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Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) - Post-Intervention Debriefing Citations;
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Skilled Nursing Facility/Nursing Facility (SNF/NFs) - Treatment and Prevention of Pressure Ulcer Citations; Free of Accident Citations; Medication Error Citations;
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Outpatient Physical Therapy (OPT) - Equipment, Buildings, and Grounds Maintenance Citations;
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Comprehensive Outreach Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) - Local, State, Tribal Collaboration Process Citations;
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Home Health Agency (HHA) - Incomplete Individualized Plan of Care Citations;
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Rural Health Clinic (RHC) - Preventative Maintenance Program Citations;
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Portable X-ray - Personnel Monitoring Citations;
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End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - Cleaning and Disinfecting Citations;
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Hospital - Patient Safety
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CMP Grant Opportunities Available
CMP Reinvestment Fund
OIG seeks innovative projects that support, protect, and benefit certified nursing facility residents. These initiatives must be outside the scope of normal facility operations and cannot be used to fund goods or services that the applicant already offers or is required to provide by state or federal law or regulation.
- There is no minimum or maximum amount that can be applied for
- There is currently no application deadline and applications can be submitted at any time.
COVID-19 Emergency CMP Grants
The COVID-19 Emergency CMP Grants are temporary programs in place during the federal Public Health Emergency. Kentucky will continue to accept applications until CMS closes the programs. CNFs can apply for all three programs for up to a total of $9,000 for the purchase of:
- Communication devices and accessories to allow residents to communicate remotely
- In-person visitation aids such as tents/outdoor shelters, outdoor furniture, clear dividers, and more
- Portable fans and/or room air cleaners with HEPA filters (H-13, -14)
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Division of Health Care Contact Information
Central Office
Belinda Beard, Director
Marissia Izlar, Assistant Director
275 E. Main St., 5E-A Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: 502-564-7963
Fax: 502-564-6546
Western Enforcement Branch
Darlene Fryar, Human Services Program Branch Manager
901 B South Main Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240
Phone: 270-889-6052
Fax: 270-889-6089
Northern Enforcement Branch
Patricia Hinson, Regional Program Manager
L & N Building 10-W, 908 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203
Phone: 502-595-4958
Fax: 502-595-4540
Southern Enforcement Branch
Tammy Ricks, Regional Program Manager
116 Commerce Ave., London, KY 40744
Phone: 606-330-2030
Fax: 606-330-2054
Eastern Enforcement Branch
Will Hendrickson, Human Services Program Branch Manager
455 Park Place, Suite 120A, Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-246-2301
Fax: 859-246-2307
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Create Circles is seeking residents to participate in the
Engage With Your Community Project
Create Circles Corporation is currently recruiting CMS certified nursing facilities (CNF) to participate in a unique resident engagement program funded by Kentucky’s Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Fund. The 3-year Engage With Your Community project matches trained volunteers with CNF residents based on hobbies, likes, interests and other factors. These volunteers meet with their matched resident twice a week, over at least 12 weeks, to complete a long-term shared project, or multiple mini projects, that are then shared with the resident and their family.
The goal of the Engage With Your Community project is to increase the quality of life for CNF residents by reducing loneliness and isolation through cognitive engagement, companionship, and crafting a sense of purpose.
The program is free to CMS Certified Nursing Facilities!
For more information on how to participate in the project please contact Anish Reddy, Director of Operations, at info@createcircles.org, or 502-276-5264.
Additional information on the program, including requirements, can be found here.
CNFs that are interested in participating, but do not have the necessary virtual meeting technology (i.e. tablets, iPads) may be able to utilize the CMP COVID-19 Communication Technology Emergency grant to purchase the necessary equipment. Please contact Lena Mullins-Datko, Grants Administrator, at lena.mullinsdatko@ky.gov for more information.
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Kentucky's Top 10 Citations
for Nursing Homes
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Informal Appeal of Survey Findings
Interested in Serving on an IDR Panel?
Kentucky requires one member of the IDR panel to be "a person currently engaged in the provision of Long Term Care services who has no affiliation with the provider disputing a deficiency." Typically, a Long Term Care Administrator is on each IDR panel. There is no payment or travel reimbursement for an Administrator serving on a panel. Administrators will be rotated. If a Long Term Care Administrator is interested in serving on a panel, a confidentiality statement must be signed prior to the participation in the first IDR panel.
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Jennifer Smith, RN
RAI/Oasis/IDR-IIDR Coordinator
Office of Inspector General
Division of Health Care
275 E. Main St., 5E-A
Frankfort, KY 40621
Fax: (502) 564-6546
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MDS/RAI CONTACT INFORMATION
For questions regarding MDS Assessment, Coding, Transmission or
Please do not send any identifiable patient information through e-mail. This includes patient names, SSNs, dates of birth, or any other data items considered identifiers or Protected Health Information (PHI) under HIPAA. Please redact any PHI prior to sending.
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All certified nursing facilities must sign up for ePOC. Please be diligent about keeping your account and password up to date. All correspondence is handled in the ePOC system, including the plan of correction. Furthermore, if there is a change in administrator, it is incumbent upon the facility to update the system.
If your facility is not yet signed up, see the Account Setup instructions.
Not sure if your facility has any ePOC accounts or have other questions? E-mail ePOC.Support@ky.gov or Melissa Richard, Training & QA Branch Manager, or call 502-564-7963 x.3310.
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Have you notified your residents?
Click the link below to download and/or print the contact list for various agencies.
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Which Branch is Serving You?
To provide the highest level of service, the Division of Health Care operates through four regional offices. Knowing the appropriate Branch to contact with questions and concerns will ensure you receive maximum service in minimum time. Review links below for detailed information.
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CMS Survey and Certification memoranda, guidance, clarifications and instructions to State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Offices.
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Transfer/Discharge Hearing Appeals
Please submit your requests for transfer/discharge hearing appeals to Secretary Eric C. Friedlander, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, by emailing:
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LTC Facility Self-Reported
Incidents & Complaints
New email addresses have been established for communications regarding LTC Facility Self-Reported Incidents and for use by residents and the general public to report possible violations of regulatory requirements. Click Here for the email addresses and additional contact information.
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Quality, Safety & Education Portal
CMS's QSEP provides the full curriculum of surveyor training and guidance on health care facility regulations. All training is available on-demand on a top-notch self-service portal. 24/7 access means you have the freedom to learn what you want, where you want, when you want.
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Employment Opportunities
To search and apply for positions within the Office of Inspector General, please visit the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet's web page by clicking below.
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DHC Leadership Team:
Inspector General
Deputy Inspector General
Director
Assistant Director
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Want to Sign Up for This Newsletter?
If you have received a copy of this newsletter from a friend or co-worker, you can click here and enter your information to join our mailing list, or contact MelissaD.Richard@ky.gov.
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Commonwealth of Kentucky | Office of Inspector General | 275 East Main St., Frankfort, KY 40621 |
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The Office of Inspector General is the regulatory and licensing agency for all health care, day care and long-term care facilities and child adoption/child-placing agencies in the commonwealth.
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