News From Beacon Health:

PPS Reform: Analysis and Guidance

Breaking News:

Beacon Health Launches
OASIS-Central

Beacon Health Briefing
Marblehead, MA - November 23, 2009

Few changes in homecare are as dramatic as the upcoming switch to OASIS-C in January, 2010.

In keeping tradition with Beacon Health’s practice to maintain a higher standard in education, we have developed an exclusive site to this event: OASIS-Central.

What you’ll find:

• Updates, analysis and tips regarding the implementation of OASIS C and evidence based practices.
• Custom Onsite Training and Consulting services.
• Resources and tools.
• Opportunities to ask the experts OASIS-C related questions.
• Information about the Beacon Institute.

Visit OASIS Central Today!

http://blogs.beaconhealth.org/oasis-c/

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OASIS-C Approved, January 1 Implementation Set

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Beacon Health Briefing
Mequon, Wisconsin - August 6, 2009

In the open door forum on July 29, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Office of Management and Budget had approved OASIS-C, Version 12.4, with no changes. The date for implementation will be January 1, 2010. CMS plans to release an updated manual sometime in September.

Now that OASIS-C is approved, it’s time to formulate an action plan for your agency. You’ve got five months to get all the pieces in place to ensure a smooth transition. Remember these actions as you develop your plan for agency leaders and educators.

• Take time to learn about OASIS-C. Study the data set – what’s new, what’s changed, the subtle revisions that may trip up experienced clinicians. Then determine the impact of changes on the agency’s assessment tools, policy, procedure, documentation systems, and operations.
• Evaluate the agency’s approaches and methods for addressing the best practice elements in OASIS-C. These include pneumonia and flu vaccine, heart failure, pressure ulcer risk and moist healing, falls prevention, depression, and diabetic foot care.
• Move forward with incorporating best practices. This can be as simple as a quick reference card with standard points for teaching patients about heart failure or falls prevention, or as a complex as a disease management program. The important thing is that the information is standardized. Every clinician knows what to teach or do in a given situation.

Clinicians will need considerable education on OASIS-C. Begin with sessions to fine-tune care planning and assessment skills. Then address the best practice elements in OASIS-C and the agency’s approach. The sooner clinicians get up to speed on best practices, such as depression screening or pressure ulcer prevention, the more an agency’s patients will benefit. Finally, introduce the new data set. Be aware that clinicians must complete OASIS-B1 until midnight on December 31 and then, the very next second, switch to OASIS-C. Educating them too early may create confusion.

Dial in to the special OASIS-C audio conference series this fall. To find more information Click Here.

© 2009 Beacon Health. All Rights Reserved.

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