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• 2011
  • VII, Issue 18
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• 2010
  • VI, Issue 9
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  • VI, Issue 4
  • VI, Issue 3
  • VI, Issue 2
  • VI, Issue 1

Hello!

Welcome to the November 2010 issue of THE PATHFINDER.

Let me begin by stating my bias - Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday.  I am saying this up front because I think the Thanksgiving holiday is being minimized in the race from Halloween to Christmas.  One of my friends, who is also a lover of Thanksgiving, said she felt she was in a time warp as Christmas music played overhead when she was purchasing her Halloween candy!

My family will be together for the holiday - and we will all take a moment before the meal begins to list some of the things we are thankful for.  This year my list includes the good health of all my family, people in my life who love me and I, them and the opportunity to do work that makes a difference.  It has been a wonderful business year, a year of personal growth with outstanding opportunities ahead.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
~Author Unknown

There are a lots of topics to cover this month.  I'd like to start with a news article on the recent results of a court case.  Two federal courts have ruled that the Obama administration is using overly strict standards to determine whether older Americans are entitled to Medicare coverage of skill nursing home care and home health care.  You can see the article at this location.

In early October the OIG released its FY2011 Work Plan.  If you have not had a chance to review the plan, I have included the website below for "reading pleasure".  Better safe and prepared than sorry...

Our second article will be very interesting to all agencies that want to reduce their patient's hospital admissions and re-admissions.  The Visiting Nurse Service of New York has published three case studies of health information technology initiatives.  In this article, they utilize a case study approach to summarize key information about HIT applications and evaluate their impact on the quality of care.

Happy Thanksgiving!

If we can provide you with any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes,  Beth Carpenter

“Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that the power to work is a blessing, that the love of work is success.”  David O. McKay

OIG'S FY 2010 ANNUAL WORK PLAN
A Message From the Office of Inspector General

Office of Inspector General Work Plan for Fiscal Year 2011.  This publication provides brief descriptions of activities that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) plans to initiate or continue with respect to the programs and operations of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) in fiscal year (FY) 2011. 

To read the work plan, please click here 

Using Technology to Enhance the Quality of Home HealthCare: Three Case Studies of Health Information Technology Initiatives at the Visiting Nurse Service of New York 
By David Russell, Peri Rosenfeld, Sylvia
Ames, Robert J. Rosati

There is a growing recognition among health services researchers and policy makers that Health Information Technology (HIT) has the potential to address challenging issues that face patients and providers of healthcare. The Visiting Nurse Service of New York (VNSNY), a large not-for-profit home healthcare agency, has integrated technology applications into the service delivery model of several programs. 

Case studies,including the development and implementation, of three informatics initiatives at VNSNY are presented on: (1) QualityScorecards that utilize process, outcomes, cost, and satisfaction measures to assess performance among clinical staff and programs; (2) a tool to identify patients at risk of being hospitalized, and (3) a predictive model that identifies patients who are eligible for physical rehabilitation services.

To learn more about the VNSNY's case studies...

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW SERVICE
Accreditation Commission for Health Care
Beth Carpenter and Associates is proud to announce the addition of a new service for its clients!  We are now able to support your efforts to achieve accreditation through Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) whether you are a new or existing agency - home health, hospice or private duty.  

To assist you in your efforts to reach and maintain deemed status for Home Health and Hospice agencies as well as accreditation as a Private Duty Nursing and/or Private Duty Aide organization, the following are a sample of potential services currently available through Beth Carpenter and Associates:
• Assistance in preparation of the ACHC Application and the Preliminary Evidence Report (PER).
• Review of  your Application and PER prior to submission to ACHC.
• Assistance with any revisions to the PER requested by ACHC following initial submission.
• Training and instruction to administration and staff to prepare for an on-site ACHC survey.
• Assistance in creating a Plan of Correction, if necessary, following an on-site ACHC survey.

Subsequent to successful accreditation, we are available to work with your agency to continue compliance with the ACHC standards.  For further information, call 847-382-1035 or e-mail bcarpenter@bethcarpenterandassociates.com.

Beth Carpenter
Beth Carpenter and Associates 847-382-1035
bcarpenter@bethcarpenterandassociates.com

Beth Carpenter and Associates has earned a reputation as a company with deep industry experience and one that works closely with its clients to identify solutions that meet their business goals and strategic objectives.  We do not simply advise.  We partner with our customers to implement the solution and ensure its success.

Sincerely, Beth Carpenter

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH?
Since 1995 Beth Carpenter and Associates has provided its real-world experience to the management of healthcare companies, especially those  organizations with a focus on home health, hospice and private duty, in the areas of operations, clinical services, sales and marketing.  We work with management to identify the strategic direction of the organization and implement the necessary changes that allow health care providers to move forward in today's environment.

We help you choose the right path to success and then we walk it with you.