AMDA: Clinical Tools

AMDA Clinical Tools

Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Long Term Care Setting: http://www.amda.com/tools/guidelines.cfm#acoc

LTC Information Tool Kits & CPG Implementation Tool Kits

Most health care practitioners and organizations are aware of AMDA’s clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). However, many need assistance to implement them in their facility. The implementation tool kits walk you through each step of implementing the specific CPG in your facility. The kits include template letters to the care team and family members informing them of your initiative; a letter to the attending physician along with an at-a-glance summary of physician responsibilities; a Task Assignment Grid to select care team members for performance of specific tasks within the CPG, a policies and procedures (P&P) document that list those P&Ps you will need to have in place in order to implement that specific guideline; a one-page check list for training staff on those P&Ps; a list of Quality Indicators for the specific CPG to use in your facility’s QI process; and a laminated Measurement Tool for Clinical Practice Implementation that contains a suggested quantitative process and clinical outcomes measures related to implementation of the specific clinical practice guideline, to use pre- and post-implementation.

In addition, there are three sets of inservices on CD-ROM, one for practitioners, one for licensed nurses and, one for certified nursing assistants that cover the topic and that discipline’s role with carrying out the steps in the guideline. The inservices come with their own book of slide notes so that anyone can present them. An instructor’s manual and the CPG are also included in the kit. Also included is a CD-ROM with many of the tools available that can be customized. Each kit has other tools specific to the topic as well. Each tool kit is perfect for any facility that wishes to improve its care process and outcomes and is a “must have” for medical directors to demonstrate their compliance with Tag F501!

Click here to go to AMDA’s ONLINE ORDER FORM

IDT CE

Survey Prep Boot CampSM – Long-Term Care Version

http://www.hcprobootcamps.com/courses/10024/overview

Course Overview

Nursing homes are under increasing scrutiny from CMS. This year, there will be more frequent comparative and complaint surveys. Additionally, facilities need to be ready for the new Quality Indicator Surveys (QIS). Complete the Survey Prep Boot Camp — Long-Term Care Version, and gain the knowledge and confidence to:

  • Be ready for all F-tag and survey process changes
  • Avoid deficiencies, payment denials, and bans
  • Ensure your facility is survey-ready all year long

Emergency Preparedness

Emergency Preparedness Atlas

U.S. Nursing Home and Hospital Facilities

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) sponsored preparation of this atlas to support local/regional planning and response efforts in the event of a bioterrorism or other public health emergency. In the atlas, case studies in six areas illustrate the location of nursing homes relative to population and various emergency preparedness regions. There are also maps of the location of hospitals and nursing homes in all 50 States and the District of Columbia.

Select to Download Information .

Select to access an adjunct of the Atlas— Nursing Homes in Public Health Emergencies , a report on focus group discussions on disaster planning at nursing homes.

290-5-45-.03
Georgia Disaster Preparedness Plan

(1) Unless specifically exempted in Rule 290-545-.02, every facility shall have an approved or provisionally approved Disaster Preparedness Plan. Disaster Preparedness Plan rehearsals shall be regularly conducted with a minimum of two rehearsals in each calendar year.

(2) The governing body shall be responsible for the development of the plan. The governing body shall designate those individual(s) within the facility who have primary responsibility for rehearsal and implementation of the plan.

(3) Each facility must submit a proposed plan to the Department for approval. The initial plan shall be submitted no later than 90 days after the effective date of these rules.

(a)The facility shall submit one copy of the complete plan.

(b) The Department will notify the facility if the plan is approved.

(c) If the Department finds a plan lacks certain aspects but is still in substantial compliance with these regulations, the Department may grant provisional approval of the plan for a specified period of time and require the facility to submit a revised plan for approval.

(d) Anytime a revision is made in the facility’s Disaster Preparedness Plan, a copy of the revised plan must be forwarded to the Department for approval.

(4) The Department may require a revised plan under certain conditions, including but not limited to: an increase or decrease in facility population or staff; additions or major renovations to the physical plant of the building; changes in the overall community preparedness plan; or technological advancements which provide new warning and communications systems or sources.

Authority O.C.G.A. 31-7-3(c). Administrative History. Original Rule entitled “Disaster Preparedness Plan” was filed on May 9, 1984; effective June 7, 1984, as specified by the Agency.

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT RESOURCES

The items listed on this web page are American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) products designed to support the medical director.   Products are available through AMDA.  The links provided on this page will take you to AMDA’s catalog and order forms on the AMDA website.

Guide to Long Term Care Coding, Reimbursement and Documentation (Now with SOAP Notes included)

AMDA has revamped its Guide to Long Term Care Coding, Reimbursement and Documentation. The updated publication contains documentation requirements as well as one or two AMDA-developed coding vignettes for each of the nursing home family of codes. The booklet also has frequently asked questions, including a question on the use of the prolonged service codes. Your purchase also includes  an exclusive Web site link to examples of the documentation needed for each of the following vignettes (e.g. history and physicals, and subsequent visits in SOAP format).

Ordering Information:
Product Code COD4
Member Price: $25.00
Non-Member Price: $35.00
Follow this link to order


 

Recommendations for Completing Death Certificates

New for 2006, the Recommendations for Completing Death Certificates are designed to assist physicians through the often complicated process of completing a death certificate. The guidelines include information on understanding the legal definition of death; the roles held by physicians, coroners, medical examiners, and non physician practitioners during the process of pronouncing and certifying death; and in-depth information about properly completing the cause of death.

Ordering Information:
Product Code DC1
Member Price: $15.00
Non-Member Price: $20.00
Follow this link to order


 

AMDA Model Medical Director Agreement and Supplemental Materials: Medical Director of a Nursing Facility

This model agreement contract package is intended to serve as a guide for agreements for medical director services for nursing facilities. The complete package includes a model agreement between the medical director and the nursing facility; performance requirements and the roles and responsibilities of a medical director; AMDA’s statement on compensation for medical director services; and CMS requirements for medical directors. The newly revised package also includes information relevant to the updated Medical Director 501 FTag and Stark II prohibition on physician self-referral. (Revised 2006)

Ordering Information:
Product Code MODEL
Member Price: $20.00
Non-Member Price: $35.00
Follow this link to order


 

Protocols for Practitioner Notification: Assessing and Collecting Data on Nursing Facility Patients – A Guide for Nurses on Effective Communication with Physicians

AMDA has updated the manual designed to assist nursing staff in patient assessment and data collection prior to notifying a physician of clinical problems in facility residents.   This allows the physician to receive more complete information about the patient and his or her problems in order to facilitate decision making and enhanced patient care. The appendices include various assessment tools as well as a comprehensive table with suggested guidelines for physician notification of various clinical problems in facility residents, indicating whether a condition warrants immediate, non-immediate or routine notification. This publication is useful as a handy reference that requires little orientation to its use.   Nearly 100 Conditions are listed in alphabetical order, cross referenced throughout with suggested data and assessments for presenting each condition. This is a “must-have” tool for any practitioner who wants to maximize the efficiency of the interdisciplinary team and enhance patient care. This manual may be used as an in-service guide.

Ordering Information:
Product Code PROT1
Member Price: $15.00
Non-Member Price: $20.00
Follow this link to order


 

Synopsis of Federal Regulations in the Nursing Facility: Implications for Attending Physicians and Medical Directors

An indispensable resource tool for medical directors and other long term care practitioners, the Synopsis of Federal Regulations contains summary charts emphasizing clinical requirements and interpretive guidelines for surveyors as published in the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) State Operations Manual. Although the surveyors are instructed to follow the requirements and to use the Interpretive Guidelines only as guidance, they will most likely follow the Interpretive Guidelines when deciding whether and to what extent facilities meet the intent of the requirements. The Synopsis also contains “Recommendations for Medical Directors and Attending Physicians”—AMDA’s suggestions for physician compliance and good quality long term medical care. (Updated Quarterly)

Ordering Information:
Product Code SYN1
Member Price: $15.00
Non-Member Price: $35.00
Follow this link to order


 

Tool Kit for Managing Attending Physicians

This kit addresses a range of needs from a basic level of acknowledgement to the very structured level of a formal application for professional services. It will assist the facility and medical director with verifying the qualifications of each attending physician that wishes to serve as a member of the attending physician’s staff and make a decision to grant or deny the right to practice in the facility, and a tool to develop and communicate to the community-based attending physicians.

Ordering Information:
Product Code: TOOL1
Member Price: $45.00
Non – Member Price: $65.00
Follow this link to order