The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is looking for hospices to help them develop the new assessment tool for hospice providers. The Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation, or HOPE, as it is referred to by regulators, is the second version of a Medicare hospice assessment tool. The first... Keep Reading
There are two things that all humans have in common. Someone we love will die and someday we will die. Although death is an experience that we all share, it is a topic that is largely taboo, and for which people are often wholly unprepared. Discussing death makes people uncomfortable,... Keep Reading
In a recently published Final Rule, CMS clarified the new regulatory guidelines for hospice emergency preparedness. The rules were part of a larger group of changes that are designed to relieve compliance burdens that have taken up time and resources that can now be used to improve the quality of... Keep Reading
For many people, the holidays are a time of togetherness and celebrations with friends, family, coworkers and community. However, many people struggle with depression at the holidays. Many patients have the additional burden of social isolation, impaired health status, and inadequate social support systems in place for helping manage... Keep Reading
As those in the home healthcare industry know, the elder population is growing exponentially, and so too is their need for care. One of the more innovative programs available to help seniors age in place has actually been around for more than 50 years. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for... Keep Reading
In a recently published Final Rule, CMS outlined five regulatory changes that are designed to relieve compliance burdens that have taken up time and resources that can now be used to improve the quality of care for hospice patients and their loved ones. The Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency,... Keep Reading
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implementation of the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) was finalized in the CY 2020 Final rules and highlights its shift in focus to patient-centered care and the need to actively engage patients for long term success after PDGM goes into effect January 1.... Keep Reading
The 2020 Home Health Final Rule was officially published November 8, 2019, and although the Patient-Driven Groupings Model (PDGM) has been the major focus of published reports to date, this final policy document covers many other aspects of home health care.
PDGM and the Behavioral Adjustment
With this published final rule, the... Keep Reading
According to Betty Greaver, RN, LMT, it’s a common myth that aging means a person gains weight, has chronic pain and can't continue living a productive life. Rather, Greaver says, and research shows, there are simple lifestyle changes that people can make in order to remain active and have the... Keep Reading
As flu season continues there are important steps to take to protect yourself and those you care for from getting the virus. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends everyone six months or older get the flu vaccine. The vaccine is updated every year in order to combat the most... Keep Reading
Among the most time-consuming tasks is to review comprehensive assessments, and recertification and discharge documentation. Often these tasks take up a large amount of time from the Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager, or the Quality Assurance Nurse. It is especially time-consuming if the organization is documenting on paper.
At Axxess, we... Keep Reading
If you are an RN or therapist in the home health setting, you are familiar with the OASIS. You may not know why or how the OASIS is used. The Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) is integral to home health providers and is the source for the HHRG, which... Keep Reading
