Did You Jump On Board With Medicare COP Changes Or Just Cross You Fingers And Hope For The Best? Time To Tackle Them Like A Lion And Be Prepared For Survey!
Kenyon HomeCare Consulting • March 3, 2021
From a different source. When the Medicare COP changed in 2018, it was assumed that the industry fell in line with regulation changes. However, as a national consulting agency, Kenyon Homecare Consulting found this untrue. There seem to be agencies that misunderstood the regulation changes or misread what the changes were. Here, we will highlight some of the changes that still seem to be missing in agencies today and why it will hurt you at survey.
Patient Rights:
Under the Medicare COP, it is required that the patient receive a written copy of the schedule of care, medications, pertinent instructions, care plan, and contact information for the clinical manager. The COP also requires an individualized Emergency Preparedness Plan. Reality is that some of these items have been a part of the Medicare COP prior to the changes, but without enforcement of the rule. This is no longer the case. So, here are the frequent items we see when entering an agency:
Medications: The list of medications has not been provided to the patient or it is not written terms understood by the patient. Many lists still contain abbreviations such as BID, QD, or PO. These terms that are recognizable within the medical industry are not known to the patients we serve.
Schedule Of Care: Surveyors ask to see the schedule of care that was provided to the patient while doing in-home visits. Many agencies have not committed to the operational changes for clinical staff to get the schedule of visits in the hands of the patient. It is required that the patient is aware of when the disciplines will be in the home. As changes happen, you must inform the patient and document that it was done. In addition, we see that the month of admission may be on a calendar in the home, but the subsequent months are missing. Use your EMR to give reminders to clinical staff to update the next month of visits as appropriate.
Copy Of The Care Plan: This is still missing for many agencies. The patient has the right to see and know exactly what is on the individualized care plan. Surveyors will ask to see these things. We often hear from agencies that a copy of the care plan was given after admit, but the patient threw it away or that it was lost by the patient. We recognize these things happen. However, understand that your surveyor will expect that all clinical staff understand the regulation and procedure within your agency as to how your comply with this patient right. Another issue is that only the admission care plan is provided. As changes occur, the patient is to receive an updated copy. This is not happening in many agencies.
Emergency Preparedness:
This is still a huge deficiency for many agencies. Many times, we are consulted after surveys when the agencies have already received deficiencies. Now, they are in a crunch to fix what is broken prior to the surveyor returning to reassess the plan of correction. This requires education and operational changes ASAP. The reality is that many had a “plan”, but it was not completed with a hazard vulnerability assessment or with any education to staff. Many agencies had components of the plan but missed any memorandum of understanding with supporting agencies. It is not uncommon that there was no real process to determine surge or re-evaluate it.
These are all issues when it comes to survey time. There must be yearly evaluation and re-evaluation as necessary for your plan. the employees must be educated yearly and as needed. Drills need done routinely and employees need to know how to address mass communication methods when the needs arise. Many agencies will initiate a mass texting drill with low percentage of employee contact back. However, no changes were made to improve that or educate employees who did not respond to the drill. The issue lies in doing nothing with the data you receive from the drills. Agencies are often not yet a part of community disaster drilling and this is important if it is done in your area.
Let Us Help Be Your Path To Compliance:
If you find yourself behind the eight ball with survey coming, then let’s get the education and interventions in place to allow for compliance before you are hit with deficiency. Need help writing, updating, drilling, or educating staff on the emergency preparedness plan? If so, then we can help. Call Kenyon Homecare Consulting today at 206-721-5091 or contact us online to see how we can become your headquarters for compliance. If you need an updated manual that has all the changes present, you can purchase the online manual and edit the items specific to your agency. This will help you begin your process instead of working from behind with something outdated.
Results Based Consulting
Did you find value in this blog post? Imagine what we can do for your home care or hospice agency. Fill out the form below to see how we're leading the industry with innovation, affordability, and experience.
Contact Us
Here is the "ABC" guide to building a successful foundation for your starting your new home health, home care or hospice agency. It is necessary for success.
An up-to-date manual the bridge between high-level vision and daily execution. A current, living P&P manual is critical for any successful agency or business.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, the burden of care is increasingly shifting from clinical facilities to the home. As the population ages, the prevalence of chronic conditions—such as heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disorders—has reached unprecedented levels. For home care agencies, the quality of service is no longer just about assistance with daily living; it is more and more defined by the clinical competencies and disease-specific knowledge of your field staff. Chronic disease education for home care staff is not a luxury, is a strategic necessity that directly impacts patient outcomes, caregiver confidence, and the business’s bottom line. 1. Enhancing Clinical Outcomes and Safety Home care staff are the "eyes and ears" of the healthcare system. When aides and clinicians are highly educated on chronic disease processes, they can identify subtle shifts in a patient's condition before they escalate into emergencies. · Early Intervention: An educated caregiver can recognize the early signs of fluid retention in a Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) patient or skin changes in a diabetic patient, allowing for proactive adjustments rather than reactive ER visits. · Medication Adherence: Understanding why a medication is prescribed for a specific chronic condition helps staff reinforce the importance of adherence to the patient, reducing the risk of complications. 2. Reducing Hospital Readmissions Hospital readmission rates are a primary metric for home health success. Chronic diseases are the leading cause of "revolving door" hospitalizations. By providing specialized education, agencies empower their staff to implement Evidence-Based Practices at the bedside. When staff can effectively manage symptoms and educate patients on self-care, the likelihood of a patient staying stable at home increases dramatically. This not only benefits the patient but also strengthens the agency’s reputation with referral sources like hospitals and physician groups. 3. Boosting Staff Confidence and Retention The home care industry faces significant challenges with staff turnover. Often, burnout is fueled by the stress of feeling unprepared for complex patient needs. Knowledge is Empowerment: When staff members receive robust training, they feel more confident in their roles. This professional growth fosters a sense of value and belonging within the organization, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. 4. Improving Documentation Accuracy In an era of increased regulatory scrutiny, clinical documentation must be precise. Education on chronic diseases ensures that staff members use the correct terminology and focus on the most relevant clinical indicators during their assessments. · OASIS Accuracy: For Medicare-certified agencies, a deep understanding of chronic conditions leads to more accurate OASIS scoring, which directly influences reimbursement and quality ratings. · Audit Readiness: Well-educated staff produce notes that clearly reflect the necessity of care, making the agency much more resilient during regulatory surveys or audits. 5. Bridging the Communication Gap Effective chronic disease management requires a multidisciplinary approach. A caregiver who understands the nuances of a disease can communicate more effectively with: · Physicians: Providing clear, clinical updates that help doctors make informed decisions. · Family Members: Offering clear explanations and peace of mind to stressed family caregivers. · The Internal Team: Ensuring a seamless transition of care and consistent messaging across all disciplines. Conclusion Investing in chronic disease education is an investment in the agency’s future. By elevating the knowledge of the frontline workforce, home care providers can transform from basic service agencies into high-value clinical partners. In the end, the goal is simple: providing the highest quality of life for patients in the comfort of their own homes, a goal that can only be met through a highly trained and knowledgeable staff. If you do not know where to get comprehensive education for Chronic diseases, contact Kenyon Homecare Consulting at gkenyon@kenyonhcc.com or call 206-721-5091. We are here to help
In the world of digital marketing, the most critical moment of the entire customer journey often comes down to a tiny rectangle: the Call-to-Action (CTA) button.
When you're recruiting talent for your agency finding people with the required technical skills is the baseline, but vibe and vision are the differentiators.
Whether you're pitching to investors or just trying to keep your own head on straight, a professional business plan is vital. Here's help in putting one into place.
Hiring the "right" person isn't just about finding someone who can do the job; it's about finding someone who makes the rest of the team better. Headcount matters.
In the modern business world, sales have evolved beyond a mere transaction. It is a sophisticated blend of psychology, problem-solving, and relationship management.
Selling home care isn't like selling a car; you are asking for permission to enter someone’s private sanctuary and care for their most vulnerable loved ones.
A current and complete Policy and Procedure (P&P) manual is more than just a requirement; it is the fundamental blueprint for safety and organizational excellence.