Tag Archive for: QAPI

QAPI

Qapi program for nursing homesIf you’re in skilled nursing, you’re probably in the process of figuring that out right now. Because, as you know, QAPI is the new CMS law of the land.

According to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), “QAPI is a data-driven, proactive approach to improving the quality of life, care, and services in nursing homes.” It starts with quality assurance (QA), the steps facilities take to meet quality standards and regulations. Then it adds performance improvement (PI). QAPI (QA and PI together) is meant to help facilities meet minimum regulatory quality standards, and then to make the quality of services even better.

Does Your Nurse Call System Matter for QAPI?

ABSOLUTELY!

Central to QAPI is the satisfaction of residents and their families, and call response time is a great place to start. Do your residents trust that when they request help it will come quickly and will address their needs? Or do they wait, frustrated or afraid, wondering how long before help will arrive?

Built into every RCare system is the RMetrix reporting and analytics package that lets you track call response times, so that you can assess your current status, and set target goals.

  • What is an acceptable amount of time for a client to wait for help and what isn’t?
  • How well are you doing at staying inside that acceptable range?
  • Are your staffing levels right for each place and time?

With RCare, you can track call response time for the organization, or filter it by:

  • Group – facility, wing, hallway, or whatever grouping makes sense for your community.
  • Time – to see how things are going by shift.
  • Enterprise – For large organizations, Enterprise RMetrix lets you evaluate response times across your entire organization at as broad or fine-grained a level of detail as you need.

Frequent caller reports let you see:

  • Who is calling?
  • Are the calls primarily from just a few residents?
  • Are call numbers higher on one shift or in one part of your facility?

RPhone and The Resident’s Experience

Best describes qapi program

  • RCare’s integrated HIPAA-compliant mobile handset, the RPhone, has the unique “I got it” feature that helps both residents and staff. It lets a staff member claim a call that comes through, preventing unclaimed calls, and preventing duplication of effort, which helps make the best use of your staff’s time.
  • It provides personalized information about the resident, so that staff can offer greater personalization and comfort, even if the caregiver or the resident is new. It allows staff members to phone the resident directly to let them know help is on the way, and allows them to find out more information about what is needed.
  • With the RPhone, care staff check in when they arrive at the room, and check out when they leave. They can record the services performed during the call. This is powerful information for your quality teams, as they try to understand more deeply the processes they’re working to improve.
  • The powerful RMetrix reporting helps you identify specific calls that fall outside the norms, to help you investigate potential problems and get to their root cause.

Your Organization’s Other Services:

Your QAPI program must address all services provided by your facility and thus extends to all departments.That’s another reason RCare’s call system is so powerful. Staff across the facility benefit from the system, and residents never need to pull a cord.

  • Passive sensors integrated directly into the system can monitor temperatures of every room and send alerts if temps stray out of the normal range.
  • Integrated water sensors report flooding or overflows.
  • Universal contact sensors report doors that are open when they should be closed, or closed when they should be open.
  • Refrigerator temperature sensors continuously check and record temps, and send alerts for temperatures out of the safe range.
  • Smoke detectors, integrated right into the nurse call system, so everyone is alerted if there’s a problem in a room.

By now, you should have your written QAPI plan in place, and implementation should have begun. As you plan your performance improvement projects, it’s critical to have objective performance measurements of where you started, where you want to go, as well as the ability to monitor the effects of your changes. You need data to evaluate where you have opportunities for improvement, and where you’re exceeding expectations. You need to measure progress, and to provide insight to investigations of where problems persist. Root Cause Analysis provides the most insight when it’s evidence-based and drawn from reliable data.

RCare is more than a nurse call system. Add RCare to your QAPI! Contact us today.

QAPI Program

Is your nurse call system helping your QAPI efforts?
It should be.

Quality Assurance, and Performance Improvement are on everyone’s minds these days. Because of the new CMS regulations, QAPI is the latest watchword in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities across the country. No doubt your senior community already has an implementation strategy in place for moving forward. But here’s something you may not have realized: Your nurse call system can play an important role in the success of your QAPI program.

RCare is the global provider of advanced, wireless nurse call systems. We’ve designed our nurse call systems to give you the tools you need for your QAPI program. Why are so many communities overlooking the value of nurse call systems for QAPI? It might be because they’re not using RCare.

Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement
QAPI.
1. Caregiver response data. When a resident pulls a cord or pushes a button on their PERS pendant, your caregiving staff responds. It’s one of many services provided in your senior community. And like all other services, it is subject to QAPI. You not only need to know that you’re meeting regulatory minimums of care, you also need hard data to identify ways to improve–even if you’re already doing a good job. RCare provides this data, including response times, call volumes, shift-by-shift comparisons, and even which services are most often provided at the point of care. This data can be key in setting baselines, in planning new ways to improve, and in measuring the effectiveness of changes.

2. Resident call data. Who is calling most frequently? How often do they call, and at what time of day or night? What services are performed? QAPI requires that you look for how things are going routinely. It also requires that you investigate your outliers. Are there needs that aren’t being met well in your facility? Are there individuals who need a change in care plan? What does your data show? With RCare, you’ll know.

3. Environmental response data. Not all calls are triggered by a request from a resident. It’s important to keep tabs on the safety and comfort of the resident’s environment as well. Are your refrigerators keeping food and meds at a safe temperature around the clock? RCare’s refrigerator sensors record data continuously, and alert the staff if the temperature slips out of range. Is a resident having a restless night? RCare’s motion sensors can let you know if there’s unexpected movement in the middle of the night. Did a tub overflow? RCare’s water sensor alerts staff, who can intervene, often before the resident even knows there’s a problem. Integrated right into RCare’s nurse call system, every alert is sent quietly and discreetly. With the “I got it” feature, caregivers can now claim calls avoiding duplication and negligence concerns.

In your job, there’s a lot expected of you. You should expect a lot from your nurse call system. RCare offers the most advanced wireless nurse call technology, for large or small facilities. RCare wants to join efforts and support you as you develop your QAPI program.

Join RCare at 2019 LeadingAge

LeadingAge is an enormous gathering of not-for-profit organizations across the entire field of aging services. It is designed for participants to think, to learn, to network and to grow. This year, the attendees are challenged to imagine the future of aging with the theme: “What if?”

We love this theme. RCare has always pushed the boundaries of what a nurse call system can do and we’ve continued to innovate with the phrase “what if” in mind.

What if your nurse call system could help you with resident satisfaction? What if it could help with staff retention? What if it could give you actionable data to help with QAPI? What if it could save your staff time by integrating with other systems you’re already using for wander management, door access, or records? What if it could save you money by working with your existing hardware? What if it could bring you powerful features, no matter what your size or budget?

You see, we have been thinking about this for a while. And we are inspired:

What if RCare gave you super powers? What if your response times became super response times?

This year at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo, RCare has a challenge for your community: “improve response times and improve your resident experience”.

What is the average response time for your community? Do you know? Can you measure it? Is it improving?

You can’t manage what you don’t measure.

Everyone in the community benefits when response times improve. RCare gives you the power to look at your response times and make the change. When you do, you will start to see immediate benefits.

What if we vowed to build a solution customized to your needs?

What if we made it affordable?

What if we made it an easy choice?

No matter what kind of community, no matter what your size or budget, RCare can help. Stop by Booth #1624 and talk to RCare about how RCare’s advanced nurse call systems can empower you to make big improvements in your response times. And while you’re there, take your photo and post it on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #RMan or #RWoman for your chance to win great prizes.

2019 LeadingAge Annual Meeting & Expo
October 27-30, 2019
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, CA
#LeadingAge19

RCare Booth #1624
Facebook: @rcareinc
Twitter: @ResponseCare
#LeadingAge19, #RMan, #RWoman

Expo Times/Dates:
Monday, October 28, 11:30am – 3:30pm
Tuesday, October 29, 12:00 – 3:30pm
Wednesday, October 30, 9:30 – 11:30am

RCare - PEAK Leadership Summit 2018

RCare - PEAK Leadership Summit - QAPI and RMetrixCoffee

Like all decision-makers, executives in non-profit CCRCs need good information to make informed decisions. This information can be about regulations, industry trends, or demographic shifts–pretty much any aspect of business. But having good, up-to-date information is never more important than when it comes to decisions about technology, and how the right tool can help your community improve its ratings, and provide the data and insights you need for a successful quality assurance and improvement program. That’s why RCare is attending the PEAK Leadership Summit in Washington, DC this year and offering a free cup of QAPI!

We’ll be at BaseCamp in Kiosk #36. Stop by and visit, and have a cup of coffee on us. And then let’s talk about QAPI.

QAPI

Many CCRCs are hip-deep in implementing their regulation-mandated QAPI (quality assurance and performance improvement) programs. Leaders in these organizations will want to know about RCare’s newly revamped RMetrix reporting. We specifically redesigned it around the needs of communities who are initiating and managing quality programs. At RCare we like to say that if you can’t measure it, how can you manage it? RMetrix helps you measure important information about calls that will help you improve resident and family satisfaction, staff work loads, and resident health and safety, from basic call response times, to so-called “frequent fliers,” to comparisons among shifts, wings, and even different campuses.

The reports are extremely customizable, but we also want to give you flexibility to build your own reports with the included report designer. And if you don’t have the time or expertise to do it, RCare’s own business analysts can build custom-tailored reports for you. This is the kind of reporting that turns data into insight, and insight into action. When community leaders implement change in their organization, it will be data-driven. And its success will be proven with real metrics.

But that’s not all. We are also showcasing our brand new, safe area zoning, 3-in-1 GeoPendants.

GeoPendant

Seniors don’t become wander risks overnight. They don’t go from functioning perfectly in assisted living one day and requiring locked unit memory care the next. What are the best policies and procedures when caring for people going through this slow transition? Senior living executives will want to know about RCare’s GeoPendant when they make these kinds of decisions.

RCare - PEAK Leadership Summit - GeoPendant and QAPIThe GeoPendant can be programmed with a “safe zone,” unique to each wearer. What’s more, that safe zone can be customized right down to certain hallways or floors, other specific locations inside or outside a building. If the wearer moves outside the safe zone, caregivers are quietly and discreetly alerted so that they can redirect the individual. This way someone who poses a slight wander risk can be kept safe even while enjoying the independence and freedoms that come with living in a least-restrictive environment.

The GeoPendant also functions as a PERS button. When the wearer presses the button, it alerts staff that help is needed. And the GeoPendant comes equipped with Advanced Locating Protocol (ALP), to let caregivers know the location where the call was made, so that help can be directed to where it’s needed.

Stop by Kiosk #36, have a cup of QAPI coffee on us, and let us show you how your nurse call system can help your community raise its ratings, and succeed in its QAPI programs.

PEAK Leadership Summit
March 18-20, 2018
Washington, D.C.
Kiosk #36
BaseCamp Kiosk Hours:
Mon, March 19, 9:30am-1pm & 4:30pm-5:30pm
Tues, March 20, 11:30am-1:30pm
@LeadingAge

RCare brews strong QAPI at the Quality Summit

What’s Brewing at the Quality Summit? QAPI.
Do you like your QAPI Strong? RCare can help.

Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) are on everyone’s minds these days. Because of new CMS regulations, QAPI is the latest watchword in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities across the country. No doubt your senior community already has an implementation strategy in place for moving forward. But here’s something you may not have realized: Your nurse call system can play an important role in the success of your QAPI program.

RCare is the global provider of advanced, wireless nurse call systems. We’ve designed our nurse call systems to give you the tools you need for your QAPI program. Why are so many communities overlooking the value of nurse call systems for QAPI? It might be because they’re not using RCare.

RCare brews strong QAPI at the Quality SummitNext week RCare will be in New Orleans at the AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit, to show you how the right nurse call system can help you strengthen your QAPI program.

When a resident pulls a cord or pushes a button on their PERS pendant, your caregiving staff responds. Are any calls missed? How quickly does your staff respond? How accurate and complete is their information when they arrive? Right from the start of an incident, RCare can help you improve resident satisfaction and the quality of care. And right from the start of an incident, RCare can help you gather accurate, actionable data.

The Quality Summit is the third annual gathering of long-term and post-acute care quality leaders. For three days they’ll be learning best practices, networking with other professionals, and educating themselves about the latest issues in quality and compliance for skilled nursing, post-acute, and assisted living providers.

RCare will be the only Nurse Call System provider at the summit.

Stop by our table, have a cup of coffee on us, and let us show you how your nurse call system can help with QAPI.

In your job, there’s a lot expected of you. You should expect a lot from your nurse call system. RCare offers the most advanced wireless nurse call technology, for large or small facilities. RCare wants to join efforts and support you as you develop your QAPI program.

AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit
March 12-14, 2018
New Orleans Marriott
Expo Dates/Times
Monday: 11am–1pm, 2:30pm–3pm
Tuesday: 10am–10:30am, 1:30pm-2pm, 3:30pm–4pm
#QSUMMIT18
@ahcancal

Everyone is a winner with RCare at AHCA/NCAL 2017

Everyone is a Winner with RCare at AHCA/NCAL 2017Every year when fall rolls around, RCare looks forward to the annual AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Four days of education, networking, and being able to show off the latest features of our RCare nurse call and emergency monitoring platform, and help you see why everyone is a winner with RCare.

AHXA/NCAL is the annual gathering of the largest association of long-term and post-acute care providers in the country. The work that members do is so very important to the health and happiness of our nation’s seniors, and we’re glad we can support it.

Something on everyone’s minds this year is Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI). In a short time, the CDC is expected to issue regulations requiring skilled nursing facilities to implement a quality assurance and improvement program. Facilities have one year from the time the regulation is final in which to have their programs in place, which means now is the right time to be working on them.

Everyone is a winner with RCare at AHCA/NCAL

RMetrix v2

RCare can help. Stop by booth 748 to see RMetrix v2, our new reporting and analytics package which is native to every RCare nurse call system. RMetrix provides reports and data that help communities measure how they’re doing, and assess their improvements, the basis of QAPI. Call response time analyses, incident lists and exceptions, call distributions, and trend analyses, for example, are just a few of the ways RCare can help you make your QAPI program a success.

If you operate a smaller community, be sure to check out the BCube, our new nurse call system exclusively for small communities. According to the Nursing Home Data Compendium of 2015 by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, there are nearly 8,000 skilled nursing communities with fewer than 100 beds. These communities don’t require expensive, enterprise-level server hardware, but they do require the tools to provide the best possible care. Using a smaller touch-based computer, RCare’s revolutionary BCube is designed, scaled and priced for smaller campuses with 128 beds or fewer. It has all of the reporting features and advanced technology of the of the RCube, including the use of all the same emergency and monitoring devices, but at a fraction of the cost.

This year, we are celebrating that with RCare, everyone is a winner. From residents, administrators, caregivers, and facilities managers, our systems are designed to help everyone have the tools they need to provide the best possible care. Stop by Booth 748 to pick up your Bluetooth fidget spinner, take a chance on a bigger prize, and find out more about RCare.

AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo
October 15 – 18
Mandalay Bay Resort
Las Vegas, NV
#LTCLV

Expo Hall Hours:
Monday, October 16 | 11:30am – 3:00pm
Tuesday, October 17 | 11:00am – 2:00pm

RCare booth: 748
www.rcareinc.com
585-671-4144