Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Acumen LLC on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a public, virtual listening session. On behalf of CMS, we are seeking feedback from administration and management staff, software vendors, and clinical staff on the Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting…… Continue reading Registration Open: LTCH QRP Listening Session

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Biden-Harris Administration is taking further action on its commitment to promote access to health care and human services for persons with disabilities. Today (September 7, 2023), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), announced a proposed…… Continue reading HHS Issues New Proposed Rule to Strengthen Prohibitions Against Discrimination on the Basis of a Disability in Health Care and Human Services Programs

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Anyone can get an infection, and almost any infection, including COVID-19, can lead to sepsis. Sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection and is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you or your loved one has an infection that’s not getting better or is getting…… Continue reading September is Sepsis Awareness Month: Learn How You Can Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Sepsis

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Quality Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual Version 5.0, Change Table, Risk Adjustment Appendix File, Imputation Appendix File, and Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) to International Classification of Diseases (ICD) -10 Crosswalks are now available. These documents serve…… Continue reading IRF and LTCH QRP Quality Measure Calculations and Reporting User’s Manual V5.0 and Accompanying Documents Now Available

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update to share new information with clinicians, public health authorities, and the public about locally acquired malaria cases identified in the United States. On August 18, 2023, a single case…… Continue reading Important Updates on Locally Acquired Malaria Cases Identified in Florida, Texas, and Maryland

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The growth of managed care over the past several years has changed fundamental aspects of the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This significant shift transformed how the Government pays for and covers health care for approximately 100 million enrollees. Due to the growth of managed care (in…… Continue reading OIG Publishes New Featured Topic Webpage on Managed Care

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare During a pandemic or other emergency, health care facilities face significant challenges to quickly onboard additional health care providers when hospital admissions and intensive care units’ occupancy rapidly increase. The recently updated Health Care Facility Onboarding Checklist (1 page) can help facilities ensure new employees are…… Continue reading Updates from ASPR TRACIE – Emergency Preparedness Resources

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Emergencies can create a variety of hazards for workers in the impacted area. Preparing before an emergency incident plays a vital role in ensuring that employers and workers have the necessary equipment, know where to go, and know how to keep themselves safe when an emergency…… Continue reading Know How to Prepare For and Respond to Natural Disasters

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages. As of January 1, 2023, your Medicare Part D drug plan now covers most vaccines at no cost to you. All adult vaccines…… Continue reading Immunization and Vaccine Resources

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare For many in the U.S., this week is going to be a hot one!  Many areas have already had extreme heat warnings and advisories.  OSHA’s Workplace Safety Reminder for today addresses heat illness. Heat-related illnesses can be prevented. Hydrate before, during and after work. Drink 1…… Continue reading Prevent Heat Illness at Work