 September is emergency preparedness month. State and Federal regulations require
emergency preparedness plans to ensure the safety of nursing facility residents
in the event of emergency situations. The Iowa Administrative Code requires:
58.28(2) Safety duties
of administrator. The administrator shall have a written emergency plan to be followed in the event
of fire, tornado, explosion, or other emergency. (III)
a. The plan shall be
posted. (III)
b. In-service shall be
provided to ensure that all employees are knowledgeable of the emergency plan. (III)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
Emergency Preparedness Rule requires that long-term care facilities have
emergency plans, train staff on the plan, hold drills and have an emergency
power source.
You can find Emergency Preparedness resources at :
http://wfc2.wiredforchange.com/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=nqwpduoIqLPHKvlzja7yjshsLarnMN%2Bn
The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s office believes that by
following these regulations the safety of residents who reside in long-term
care settings will be improved.
Cynthia Pederson, JD
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
 Residents' Rights Month 2018 is one month away. Consumer Voice has put together some activities that can enhance the Residents' Rights Month experience at the following website: http://theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/events/calendar2018.pdf.
One of the most important rights any one citizen can have is the right to vote. During this time of the year, many campaign signs begin decorating lawns around around town in the hopes of winning a vote or two to be the voice of the electorate. You may recall receiving an informational guide in 2016 from our Office to assist residents and tenants voice their voting choice. This guide has been updated with all of the recent changes and timetables. Residents and tenants may find the guide on our website:
https://www.iowaaging.gov/sites/default/files/library-documents/2018%20Iowa%20Voter%20Guide_Complete.pdf.
County Auditor staff teams may be called upon to come to long-term care facilities to assist residents and tenants to vote. They will have copies of the 2018 Voter Assistance Plan part of the Iowa Voter Guide.
If residents and tenants are living in a long-term care facility that is not in their registered county they will be mailed a ballot.
Finally, if residents or tenants have any questions regarding voting they have the right to contact their local County Auditor: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html.
 Dehydration, a new study
The
following article discusses methods to combat dehydration and other risk
factors associated with dehydration in nursing center residents versus other
settings “Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dehydration Among Nursing Home
Residents: A Systemic Review” http://www.providermagazine.com/news/Pages/2018/AUGUST/Assessing-Dehydration-Requires-a-Uniform-Approach,-Study-Says.aspx.
New Study on Incidents Between
Residents with Dementia in Long-Term Care
A new study from Eilon Caspi, PhD
at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing analyzed incidents between
residents with dementia in long-term care homes. The exploratory study, entitled
"Death of 105 Elders Due to Resident-to-Resident Incidents: A Pilot
Study.", the first to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of
elders as a result of resident-to-resident incidents, looked at media accounts
and death review records. Resident-to-resident incidents are not
currently tracked federally. For more information, read the press
release here and a blog by Dr. Caspi here.
Nursing home star ratings
haven't brought reduction in preventable hospitalizations, study finds
McKnights shared the following article last month showing that even though publicly
reporting Five –Star Quality Ratings have increased there is not a
corresponding drop in preventable hospitalizations in the study “ published by
the Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision and Financing: McKnights article.
 This Office does have a brochure available for distribution regarding involuntary discharges. If you are in need of brochures email katie.mulford@iowa.gov to request additional copies. To view a copy of the brochure: https://www.iowaaging.gov/sites/default/files/library-documents/InvoluntaryDischarge_Brochure.pdf.
This fact sheet was developed for long-term care consumers to inform them about their rights regarding involuntary discharges.
 The current Managed Care Ombudsman Report can be found: https://www.iowaaging.gov/state-long-term-care-ombudsman/managed-care-ombudsman-program/managed-care-ombudsman-program-reports.
 volunteervop@iowa.gov or 1-866-236-1430
Events
This Office looks forward to recognizing all Volunteer Ombudsmen at the end of the month. If you need a copy of dates and locations email volunteervop@iowa.gov.
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Cindy Pederson is traveling the state this month to recruit new Volunteer Ombudsmen. If you know of someone who is interested in this program this will be a great opportunity for them to learn more. Please encourage them to email volunteervop@iowa.gov for a copy of the recruitment locations and dates.
Statewide VOP Conference Call/Video Meeting
Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Stacia Timmer will host the VOP statewide conference call/video meeting on Wednesday, September 19 at 2:00 pm. Discussion will be around residents' rights and attendees will gain one hour of CEU credit. Call in information and link to the video webinar will be sent in a future email. This session will be recorded. If you have any questions call 1-866-236-1430.
CEUs
September is here, and we will send your quarterly update regarding the number of CEU hours you have accrued for the year. You have until December 31 to complete 6 CEU hours in order to remain an active Volunteer Ombudsman. We have a list of webinars you may watch at your leisure which can be found here: https://www.iowaaging.gov/vop-resources If it is more convenient to accrue CEU's through watching a DVD or reading a book (worth 1 CEU each), there is a listing of VOP Library materials form.
If you are struggling to find CEU opportunities, please do not hesitate
to contact us at volunteervop@iowa.gov,
or call at 1-866-236-1430. We will be glad to help!
Surveys
If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to
take our VOP Satisfaction Survey. The survey will close on Friday,
9/21. If you need the link again please email volunteervop@iowa.gov.
The Iowa Department on Aging, AARP-Iowa and Older Iowans Legislature
team up to discover what matters to older Iowans and their caregivers are working together to ask residents of
all ages for their thoughts on what Iowa can do to improve the quality of life
for its older population through a brief online survey posted on the Department
on Aging’s website at https://www.iowaaging.gov/content/2018-aging-iowa-survey-discovering-what-matters. Information gathered from the eight-question survey, which focuses on
issues impacting older Iowans and their caregivers, will help inform the groups
and elected officials as policy is developed for the upcoming legislative
session in January.
 Continue to send discharge information via fax 515-725-3313, via email to katie.mulford@iowa.gov or U.S. mail at 510 E. 12th Street, 2nd Floor, Des Moines, IA 50319.
But Did it Work? Elder Justice Interventions II: Self-Neglect webinar
Sept 14 (12:00 pm CST)
More Information | Register (Not eligible for VOP CEUs)
Mouth Care Matters
Sept 18 (8:00 am - 4:30 pm)
Eastern Iowa Community College, West Davenport Center
More Information | Register (Not eligible for VOP CEUs)
Emergency Preparedness: Ombudsman Program
Advocacy and Facility Responsibilities webinar
Sept 18 (2:00 pm)
More Information | Register (Eligible for VOP CEUs)
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