Featured Results

 

 

Buyer's Market<h3>Painkilling, Antiseptic Prep Pad Provides Fast Relief from Needle Pain</h3><p><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/numstat.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;100px;height&#58;213px;" />Spectra Medical Devices, Wilmington, Mass., a global manufacturer of made-to-spec procedural needles and a distributor of complementary medical instruments, supplies, and pharmaceuticals, has announced <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">NUMSTAT™</span>, a pain-relieving, antiseptic, and anesthetic prep pad. <br></p><p>NUMSTAT was developed by physicians to help people with a fear of needle sticks and pain, which can cause a delay in necessary testing and medical care. The prep pad is designed to clean the surface of the skin, reduce the risk of infection, and quickly relieve the pain of needle sticks. &#160;<br></p><p>Users can apply the prep pad in advance of a needle stick by gently rubbing it onto the skin for 60 seconds and letting it dry. The advanced application helps to reduce pain at the site of the needle stick. &#160;<br></p><p>For more information, visit <a href="http&#58;//www.num-stat.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">num-stat.com</a>. <br></p><h3>Real-Time, Two-Way Medication Integration with Electronic Health Record Platform</h3><p><span><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Enclara.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" alt="" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;150px;height&#58;51px;" /></span>Enclara Pharmacia has launched a bidirectional medication interface with MatrixCare. This integration between Enclara’s <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">E3 Pro™</span> platform and MatrixCare’s electronic health record (EHR) delivers real-time, two-way communication between systems, enabling hospice clinicians to save time and provide quality patient care through secure access to the most current and accurate information about patient medications.<br></p><p>With a standard medication interface, staff enters a medication into the hospice EHR, which transmits to Enclara. Staff then uses Enclara’s E3 Pro application to order the medication, either through electronic prescribing to a local pharmacy or Enclara’s national fulfillment centers. This process supports accurate claims adjudication and provides full visibility to Enclara pharmacists for 24/7 symptom management consultations and drug utilization reviews required by Medicare.<br></p><p>This enhanced integration also simplifies regulatory compliance under Medicare’s Hospice Change Request (CR) 8358 requirements. With the real-time two-way flow of information between Enclara and MatrixCare’s platforms, the time-​consuming process of manual reconciliation to ensure an accurate health record can be reduced or eliminated.<br></p><p>For more information, visit <a href="http&#58;//www.enclarapharmacia.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">enclarapharmacia.com</a>.<br></p><h3>New Telemedicine Platform Enhances Quality of Life </h3><p><span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">EMA Telemed,</span> Chevy Chase, Md., a new telemedicine platform, has launched and is specifically designed to enhance patient outcomes, reduce health care costs, and generate new revenue streams for health care facilities. <br></p><p>This innovative new platform supports real-time vital sign monitoring through secure video consultations using medically approved sensors, features a user-friendly scheduling tool with automatic reminders for streamlined appointment management, and offers robust data security with encrypted storage and detailed daily health reports. <br></p><p>The pilot program is an excellent opportunity for directors of health care facilities to explore how telemedicine can be seamlessly integrated into their operations, providing significant benefits without any initial investment. <br></p><p>For more information, visit <a href="http&#58;//www.ematelemed.com/contact" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">ematelemed.com/contact</a>. </p><h3>New&#160;Technology Successful in Reducing Urgent Threat on Contaminated Surfaces </h3><p><span><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/synexis.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;125px;height&#58;177px;" /></span>Results from a study presented at the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America annual conference indicate <span class="ms-rteForeColor-2">Dry Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP™)</span> from Synexis effectively reduces <em>Candida auris (C. auris)</em> contamination on surfaces. <em>C. auris,</em> a type of fungus, can cause severe infections in hospitalized patients and nursing home residents.&#160;<em>C. auris</em>&#160;cases continue to rise in the United States, up 318 percent since 2018. Antimicrobial resistance to&#160;<span><em>C. auris</em></span>&#160;is also on the rise, causing significant challenges for health care providers. Data report 90 percent of&#160;<span><em>C. auris</em></span>&#160;isolates are resistant to at least one antifungal, while 30 percent are resistant to at least two antifungals, creating challenges for infection control.<br></p><p>The study was designed to assess the presence of&#160;<span><em>C. auris</em></span>&#160;environmental contamination in multiple clinical units and to evaluate the efficacy of DHP™, a continuous supplemental technology, and its exposure on&#160;<em>C. auris </em>contamination. The research was conducted in a large tertiary care center where multiple patients were either infected or colonized with&#160;C. auris. <br></p><p>Prior to the installation of DHP™, 70 percent of surfaces sampled in active&#160;<span><em>C. auris</em></span>&#160;patient rooms tested positive <br>for the presence of&#160;<span><em>C. auris</em></span>. The same surfaces were sampled during the month after installation of DHP™, and the pro­portion of samples testing positive for&#160;<span><em>C. auris</em></span> decreased to 16.7 percent. <br></p><p>For more information, visit <a href="http&#58;//www.synexis.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">synexis.com</a>.​</p>2024-12-04T05:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/buyers.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />Numstat | E3 Pro | Enclara Pharmacia | EMA Telemed | Dry Hydrogen Peroxide
Cedar Ridge Raises the Bar for Resident Care<p><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Silver%20Award%20Cedar%20Ridge.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-2" alt="" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;450px;height&#58;304px;" />Cedar Ridge Health Campus, located in Cynthiana, Kentucky, and part of Trilogy Health Services, recently earned the 2024 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award from the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL). This recognition highlights the facility’s dedication to structured improvement, employee engagement, and clinical excellence.<br></p><p>In this interview, Cedar Ridge Executive Director Brittany Faucher reflects on Cedar Ridge’s journey toward excellence, offering insight that inspires other providers.<br></p><p><em class="ms-rteForeColor-2"><strong>Provider</strong></em><span class="ms-rteForeColor-2"><strong> magazine (PM)&#58;</strong></span> Congratulations on receiving the 2024 Silver – Achievement in Quality Award. What does this recognition mean to your team?<br><em class="ms-rteForeColor-9"><strong>Brittany Faucher (BF)&#58;</strong></em> Thank you. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of our entire staff. It’s a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality care and maintaining operational excellence.<br>PM&#58; How does Cedar Ridge gather and use feedback from residents and families to improve care?<br>BF&#58; We conduct biannual customer satis­faction Surveys with residents and families. The feedback provides a road map for the next six months, helping us stay proactive and responsive to the needs of our community.<br><br><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-2">PM&#58;</strong> Cedar Ridge is known for strong employee engagement. How have you created such a positive work environment?<br><span class="ms-rteForeColor-9"><strong>BF&#58;</strong></span> We regularly participate in the national Great Places to Work survey, and in 2020, we earned the Great Places to Work Certification. Our employees consistently rank us in the top quartile within Trilogy and across the country. Many staff members have been with us for over 18 years, reflecting the supportive community we’ve built.<br><br><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-2">PM&#58;</strong> How does Cedar Ridge ensure it stays ahead of industry trends and evolving resident needs?<br><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-9">BF&#58;</strong> As the executive director of Cedar Ridge, I am active within my local long term care associations, such as the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities, to stay on top of trends and evolving resident needs. In addition, I sit on Trilogy Health Services’ Trilogy Way Council to gain firsthand experience with companies offering innovative technology and artificial intelligence-based solutions to long term care needs today.<br><br><strong class="ms-rteForeColor-2">PM&#58; </strong>What’s next for Cedar Ridge Health Campus?<br><span class="ms-rteForeColor-9"><strong>BF&#58; </strong></span>Our goal is to maintain excellence while evolving to meet residents’ needs. We are currently in the process of applying for the AHCA/NCAL Gold National Quality Award. At Cedar Ridge, we are committed to continuous improvement. Following the Baldrige framework has been helpful in assessing our current quality assurance and improvement plan as well as setting attainable goals for the future.</p><h3>Key Takeaways</h3><ul><li>Participating in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program provides a framework for continuous improvement and motivates teams to pursue excellence.</li><li>Collecting regular feedback from residents and families fosters trust, strengthens relationships, and ensures care stays responsive to evolving needs.</li><li>Investing in employee satisfaction and retention creates a positive work environment, enhances staff retention, and ensures high-quality care.</li><li>Staying ahead of industry trends through continuous learning, events, and partnerships allows providers to anticipate future resident needs.</li><li>Continuous improvement is essential for sustainability. Developing strategic goals aligned with evolving standards ensures long term success.</li></ul><h3>Ready to Share Your Story?</h3><p>Inspired by Cedar Ridge’s journey? Visit ahcancal.org/QualityAwardStories to share your own success and motivate others in long term care.</p><p>Have you submitted your 2025 Quality Award application? Don’t wait—visit <a href="http&#58;//www.ahcancal.org/QualityAward" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">ahcancal.org/QualityAward</a> to submit it before the deadline on January 23, 2025, at 8 p.m. (EST) to showcase your commitment to excellence and start your journey toward national recognition.<br></p><p><em>Andrea Todd is the director, public affairs at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living.</em>​</p>2024-12-04T05:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Win24_QA.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />Quality AwardsAndrea ToddBrittany Faucher, executive director of Cedar Ridge Health Campus, shares how the facility earned an AHCA/NCAL Silver National Quality Award in 2024.
Celebrating 75 Years of AHCA/NCAL<p style="text-align&#58;center;"><a href="/Issues/2024/Winter/Documents/BTN%20PrvWin24.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/BTN%20PrvWin24.jpg" alt="" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;625px;height&#58;839px;" /></span><br></a></p><p style="text-align&#58;center;"><br></p><p style="text-align&#58;center;"><a href="/Issues/2024/Winter/Documents/BTN%20PrvWin24.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><img class="ms-asset-icon ms-rtePosition-4" src="/_layouts/15/images/icpdf.png" alt="" />BTN PrvWin24.pdf</a>​</p><p><br></p><p style="text-align&#58;center;"><br></p>2024-12-04T05:00:00ZBy the NumbersCelebrating 75 years of AHCA/NCAL
Celebrating the Center for Long-Term Quality & Innovation’s 10th Anniversary<p><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Win24_SF-LTC.jpg" class="ms-rtePosition-1" alt="" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;200px;height&#58;200px;" />With the new year comes an important milestone for the membership of the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) and the broader provider community&#58; in 2025, the Center for Long-Term Quality &amp; Innovation, a research center within Brown University School of Public Health, will see its 10th anniversary. The center—or Q&amp;I, as researchers call it—has proven itself vital, with a growing portfolio of projects, educational initiatives, and resources that represent the cutting edge of interventional research. <br></p><p>Established in 2015 with $1 million in seed funding from AHCA/NCAL, Q&amp;I has a simple goal&#58; to improve care for older adults, focusing in particular on those living with dementia and those receiving post-acute and long term care. “Older adults are a chronically ill and vulnerable population of people often excluded from trials,” explained Rosa Baier, MPH, the center’s director. “We’re interested in how we develop effective partnerships and implement changes that are practical and feasible in real-world conditions.”<br></p><p>Baier, who earned her master of public health from Brown, describes herself as an “improvement scientist” deeply concerned with pragmatic research—the development and implementation, in close collaboration with health care providers, of interventions that are designed to be “useful and used” in the real world. She runs the center with input from an advisory council of leaders within both the academic and provider communities, including several former AHCA/NCAL board chairs. <br></p><p>“We were moving along before Rosa joined as our executive director, but, once she joined, it really took off,” recalled advisor Mary Ousley, chief strategy officer at PruittHealth and a former AHCA board chair. “That's when we started getting the large funding grants to do the level of research and investigation that we had all hoped for.”<br></p><p><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Rosa-Baier2.jpg" alt="Rosa Baier" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;150px;height&#58;184px;" />Key to the center’s approach is its unique position at the crossroads of academia and the health care industry, which allows it to investigate and respond to real-world conditions as they emerge. “Part of what's distinct about Q&amp;I and how we operate is that we're really trying to use methods to engage our provider partners as active collaborators,” Baier explained. “We try to learn about the realities and needs on the front line in a way that helps to surface research questions from the bottom up, rather than helicoptering in with ideas and trying to recruit research participants.<br></p><p>“Our ability to be nimble and responsive, which is aided by our ongoing collaboration with AHCA, has enabled us to really learn about the environment, the research priorities, and then incorporate that into what we do,” she added.</p><h3>Real-World Research, Real-Time Results</h3><p>Look no further than the center’s work during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic for an illustration of this pragmatic approach. Leveraging their relationship with AHCA/NCAL, Baier and her team conducted a survey of a large audience of providers within the first three months of the pandemic. Another month later, it published early findings about the conditions faced by frontline workers,<sup>1</sup> and then a peer-reviewed paper less than six months after that. <br></p><p>“We were the first to describe the frontline experiences of staff working in nursing homes during the pandemic,” Baier recalled. “Not only did we disseminate information quickly, but those findings reflected experiences in the earliest days of the pandemic and laid out issues that are still being explored by research across the country.”<br>During that same period, the center worked closely with PruittHealth to study the potential benefits of air purifiers<sup>2</sup> on COVID-19 outcomes. Ousley said, “[PruittHealth was] among the very first in those first few weeks to put air purifiers in our centers, long before we were getting any financial support. It showed that it decreased the incidence of individuals in our centers, both residents and staff, who got COVID. And we still have air purifiers in our centers.”<br></p><p>Ousley also spoke fondly of Q&amp;I’s Music and Memory<sup>3</sup> study, a five-year trial finding that personalized playlists may have psychological benefits for residents with dementia. “In our organization, we had a very enthusiastic young staff person that spearheaded this for us,” she said. “He would call and talk to me and say, ‘You just can't believe what happened today. Mrs. Smith is agitated, and she fights when we try to give her a bath or provide care for her. If we turn the music on and enjoy the music with her, that agitation goes away.’”<br></p><p>This study is yet another illustration of the center’s pragmatic approach to research, in which interventions are delivered by caregivers instead of researchers, offering insight into the effects on patients and workers alike. </p><h3>A ‘Successful Partnership’</h3><p>Looking back over the last 10 years, AHCA/NCAL Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Gifford reflected on the “successful partnership” between AHCA/NCAL and Q&amp;I, which has served as a funded partner for multiple projects. (Member organizations have served as funded partners for even more.) <br></p><p>“[This arrangement] doesn’t just work with Brown faculty,” Gifford pointed out. “It reaches out to people outside of Brown to form research partnerships. It opens up the door, because one of the challenges in doing this type of research is having good, accurate data, which is often costly, timely, and a burden to our members.”<br></p><p><img src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Mary-Ousley.jpg" alt="Mary Ousley" class="ms-rtePosition-2" style="margin&#58;5px;width&#58;150px;height&#58;184px;" />Reducing those barriers to conducting quality research is one of the center’s top priorities. To that end, it provides training and infrastructure grants, research funding, and resources like the Long-Term Care Data Cooperative, a massive initiative assembling electronic medical record (EMR) data from nursing homes around the country in near-real time, enabling research, public health surveillance, and population health analytics. (Learn more at <a href="http&#58;//www.ltcdatacooperative.org/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">LTCdatacooperative.org</a>.)<br></p><p>This project originated in an early-pandemic effort to gather EMR data from nursing homes and examine how COVID-19 presents in residents. “It started with one corporation, then grew to 12 corporations, and that became the foundation for the Long-Term Care Data Cooperative, which is now available to researchers across the country to conduct effectiveness research,” Baier said. <br></p><p>Another important initiative is the Learning Health Systems Rehabilitation Research Network (LeaRRN),<sup>4</sup> which partners researchers with health systems to advance research designed to improve quality of care. Three LeaRRN Learning Health Systems Scholars have worked or are working with AHCA-affiliated organizations on their research, which will yield important benefits for both patients and systems. <br></p><p>“Each scholar is paired with an academic mentor and a health system mentor,” explained Linda Resnik, LeaRRN’s director and a professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice at Brown. “This work is exciting because it is guided by the questions and needs of the health system. Thus, the knowledge produced is likely to produce actionable insights and improvements in care.”</p><h3>It Takes a Village</h3><p>As she celebrates the center’s 10th anniversary, Baier credits her team’s partnerships within Brown and the broader provider community for helping to realize the vision with which she set out a decade ago.<br></p><p>“It takes a long time to develop those relationships, so I feel like 10 years have passed quickly,” she reflected. “We now have momentum that we’ll carry forward for the next 10 years as we continue to surface research priorities from the communities we’re partnering with, and work together to elevate quality of care for older adults.”</p><p><span class="ms-rteStyle-Normal">References<br>1.&#160;&#160;&#160; https&#58;//pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7685055/<br>2.&#160;&#160;&#160; https&#58;//pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10247880/<br>3.&#160;&#160;&#160; https&#58;//www.brown.edu/news/2017-05-10/music<br>4.&#160;&#160;&#160; https&#58;//sites.brown.edu/learrn/​</span></p>2024-12-04T05:00:00Z<img alt="" src="/Issues/2024/Winter/PublishingImages/Win24_SF-LTC.jpg" style="BORDER&#58;0px solid;" />CaregivingSteve ManningIn 2025, the Center for Long-Term Quality & Innovation, a research center within Brown University School of Public Health, will see its 10th anniversary.