DQA
Quarterly Information Update
May 2006
[PDF
Version of this month's Quarterly Update (PDF, 93
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Internet sites]
New Section Chiefs
The Bureau of Quality Assurance is pleased to announce the hiring of
Cremear Mims as the new Health Services Section Chief, and Paul Peshek as
the new Resident Care Review Section Chief. Both began serving in their
new roles in March 2006.
Cremear Mims is a fifteen-year employee of BQA in the Health Services
Section. She started as a Nursing Consultant surveying home health
agencies, hospices, and hospitals. In 2002 Cremear became the HFS
Supervisor of the Southern Region Health Care Regulatory Unit (comprised
of nursing consultants and professional engineers). During her tenure as
HFS Supervisor, Cremear participated in the Wisconsin Women in Government
program, and was selected to participate in the Enterprise Leadership
Academy. Cremear holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in nursing, and worked
in hospital medical, surgical, and intensive care units prior to her
employment with BQA.
Paul Peshek has been with BQA since 2003. He started as a Regional
Field Operations Supervisor in the Southern Regional Office, and
subsequently served in that capacity in the Northeastern and Southeastern
Regional Offices as well. Paul previously served as an Administrative
Policy Advisor for the former Division of Care and Treatment Facilities.
Prior to his employment with the State of Wisconsin, Paul held a variety
of supervisory and administrative positions in long term care and
community settings, including nursing home administrator, health
facilities administrator, Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP),
and certified nursing assistant. Paul holds a degree in Health Care
Administration and currently sits on the Nursing Home Examiners Board for
the Department of Regulation and Licensing.
We hope that you will welcome both Cremear and Paul in their new roles.
FOCUS 2006 Conference
The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services is pleased to
announce the 6th Annual Conference for health care providers and the
Bureau of Quality Assurance Staff. The conference is August 29th and 30th,
2006, at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, Wisconsin.
The pre-conference on August 29, 2006 is titled "Sexual Abuse of
Vulnerable Adults in Long Term Care: Research Findings and
Implications." The session will feature presentations by Pamela
Teaster and Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, nationally recognized researchers in
the area of sexual abuse. They will identify approaches to prevent
victimization, how to effectively investigate cases of alleged resident
sexual abuse, and how to support victims of sexual abuse. This
presentation is for staff from all health care provider types, and
agencies and programs that work with sexual abuse of vulnerable people.
The "FOCUS 2006: Collaborating for Quality-Ideas to Action
Conference" will be held on August 30, 2006. The goal of the
conference is to provide ideas, information, and strategies on
person-directed care and culture change useful to conference participants.
Opening remarks will be provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services' Secretary, Helene Nelson, and the federal Center for
Medicare and Medicaid Services Director, Thomas Hamilton. A keynote
address by Steve Shields, President/CEO of Meadowlark Hills Retirement
Community, will include valuable information on his facility's experience
with the implementation of person-directed care. The conference also
offers a variety of educational breakout sessions and informational
exhibits, as well as opportunities to network with colleagues. This
conference is for staff from adult day services, assisted living
facilities, facilities Serving People with Developmental Disabilities,
nursing homes, and the Bureau of Quality Assurance.
The costs are $45.00 for the pre conference and $99.00 for the
conference, for a total of $144.00. Watch your mailbox for the brochure,
which will be mailed out the middle of June. Online registration will also
be available at that time.
FOCUS 2006 will provide numerous formats to engage all types of
learners, a variety of content, and a thought-provoking lineup of
presenters. Additional information will be provided on the BQA Internet
Training Information site at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/Training/index.htm.
You may also call Leann Graffin at (608) 267-1438.
Act 242 - Out-of-State Pharmacies To Obtain WI Licenses
On April 13th, 2006, Wisconsin Act 242 took effect, requiring
out-of-state pharmacies that dispense or deliver medications to residents
in Wisconsin to have a Wisconsin pharmacy license. Facilities, especially
those on Wisconsin borders that contract with a pharmacy in another state,
should make their pharmacy aware of this change in Wisconsin law. They
should direct the pharmacy to contact the Department of Regulation and
Licensing to obtain a license. Further information can be obtained at http://drl.wi.gov/prof/phao/def.htm.
New Survey Guides - Home Health, Hospices, Hospitals and Other
Non-Long-Term Care Providers
We are pleased to announce new survey guides for non-long-term care
providers for use by both BQA survey staff and providers. Providers will
gain a clear understanding of how the survey process works and what they
can expect.
These guides are also available via http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL
- click on the appropriate provider type, then on "Providers."
BQA Numbered Memos February - April 2006
| Memo |
Title |
Providers Affected |
|
06-002 |
Variance of Chapter HFS 124, Wisconsin Administrative Code:
Authentication of Physician Orders - Effective Date - Immediate [replaced
by 06-006] |
Hospitals |
|
06-003 |
Life Safety Code Informational Release |
Ambulatory Surgical Centers,
Facilities Serving People with Developmental Disabilities, Hospices,
Hospitals, Nursing Homes |
|
Upcoming Memos: |
|
"Guidance on Timely Pharmacy Services in the Medicare Part D
Environment" (all providers) |
|
"DHFS 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Hotline for Reporting Public Health
& Human Services Emergencies" (all providers) |
|
"Patient Privacy During Inpatient Psychiatric Treatment"
(hospitals, mental health treatment programs) |
|
"Sharing of Toilet Facilities Between Sexes" (nursing homes) |
|
"Medication Return, Disposal & Donation" (nursing homes) |
|
"Approval of the Modular Education Program for Activity
Professionals" (nursing homes) |
|
"Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) Update" (nursing homes,
facilities serving people with developmental disabilities) |
|
"Resident Medication Regimen & Administrative Review" (CBRFs) |
|
"Assisted Living Industry, 'State of the State'" (CBRFs, adult
family homes, resident care apartment complexes, adult day care programs) |
Access these memos via http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/Publications/BQAnodMems.htm,
or from individual providers' publications pages via http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/.
The following BQA memo has been made obsolete:
-
05-010, "Variance of Chapter HFS 124, Wisconsin Administrative
Code: Authentication of Physician Orders - Effective Date -
Immediate," replaced by 06-006.
Waived Tests Replaced on Internet
Entities that have consulted the CLIA Waived Test Sites in the past
should take note that we have removed these from the Internet and replaced
them with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration "Search CLIA
Database" site at www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCLIA/search.cfm
(Center for Devices and Radiological Health). We have replaced the Waived
Tests because our lists are not comprehensive, and we do not have the
resources to keep it complete and up-to-date. The FDA CLIA database should
meet the need for information on laboratory testing materials.
Revised Surveyor Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities
On March 10, 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
issued Survey & Certification Memo 06-11 containing an advance copy of
Revised Surveyor Guidance for surveying Quality Assessment and Assurance
requirements in long-term care facilities. The new guidance condenses tags
F520 and F521 into one tag, F520, and will become effective June 1, 2006.
The revised guidance contains interpretive guidelines, an investigative
protocol, and guidance for deficiency categorization. The interpretive
guidelines provide clarification regarding the following:
- Functions of the Quality Assessment and Assurance Committee;
- Identification of Quality deficiencies;
- Development of Action plans; and
- Implementation of actions plans and correction of identified quality
deficiencies.
The investigative protocol explains the objectives and procedures
surveyors will follow during their investigation. The deficiency
categorization provides guidance in determining the correct level of
severity of deficiencies found at tag F520.
On June 1, 2006, a final copy of this new guidance will be available at
www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/,
and will ultimately be incorporated into Appendix PP of the State
Operations Manual.
Caregiver Background Check Pilot
The federal Caregiver Background Check Pilot is now up and running.
Newly hired caregivers in Dane, Kenosha, La Crosse, and Shawano counties
are now required to complete a fingerprint-based background check. The
pilot includes the following long-term care providers: Community Based
Residential Facilities with 9 beds and more, Facilities for the
Developmentally Disabled/Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally
Retarded, Home Health Agencies, Hospices, Long-term Care (Swing Bed)
Hospitals, Medicaid-funded Personal Care Worker Agencies, and Nursing
Homes.
In order to implement the pilot, DHFS entered into strategic
partnerships with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of
Administration's Division of Gaming (DOG), and Promissor, a private
company. The Department of Justice modified their Criminal History Record
Check website to allow for the posting of fingerprint-based background
check information. Most of the providers included in the pilot had
existing accounts with the Department of Justice. They were accustomed to
using DOJ's website to run required name-based "Caregiver"
background checks. Under the pilot, providers continue to run a name-based
background check. If the caregiver passes that check, he/she is sent to be
fingerprinted. The results of that fingerprint-based background check are
posted on the employer's DOJ account.
DHFS had to establish a process to get the caregiver fingerprinted
using the latest electronic fingerprint scanning technology. The Division
of Gaming has equipment to fingerprint individuals who work at the
state-licensed dog track. The Division also has offices in Dane and
Kenosha County. DOG agreed to fingerprint at their state offices at a very
reasonable rate, saving the pilot thousands of dollars.
The remaining two pilot counties, La Crosse and Shawano, are being
served by Promissor, a private agency. Promissor has an existing contact
with the Department of Administration to collect fingerprints for various
state agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the
Department of Public Instruction. Promissor modified their process to meet
the pilot requirements and moved their office from Sparta to La Crosse to
be closer to our pilot caregivers.
Although the pilot experienced a few problems the first few weeks, most
of the difficulties have been resolved. The pilot runs through September
2007. We expect to have roughly 15,000 caregivers go through the
fingerprint-based background check process. Wisconsin's goal is to
determine how many people slipped through the name-based background check,
but were subsequently caught in the fingerprint-based background check.
The U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which has oversight
for the pilot, has hired an evaluator to study the feasibility and
effectiveness of a fingerprint-based background check policy.
For more information on the pilot, visit http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/fedBCpilot.htm.
Home Health Agencies
- A new Outcome-Based Quality Improvement (OBQI) training tool is
available. Developed for CMS by University of Colorado researchers,
the web-based tool translates individual agency performance data into
performance improvement plans. It's found at www.medqic.org/dcs.
- CMS has revised the Home Health Advance Beneficiary Notice (HHABN)
and pertinent instructions. Agencies have until May 31, 2006, to begin
using the new form, which has a date of 01/2006 in its lower left hand
corner. The form is mandatory after May 31, 2006. CMS has posted the
revised HHABN in English and Spanish on its website at www.cms.hhs.gov/BNI/.
- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a checklist to
help public and private organizations that provide home health
services assess and improve their preparedness in responding to
pandemic influenza. The checklist and other important information can
be found at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab6.html#chklst.
OASIS Changes Effective 6/21/2006
A new version of the OASIS data specifications (Version 1.50) will be
implemented June 21, 2006, and incorporates changes that were mandated by
the OASIS rule that was published in the Federal Register on December 23,
2005. It also includes several additional changes as described below:
- LOCK_DATE is no longer used and has been replaced with filler in
both the body record and the inactivation record.
- The submission requirement for original assessments has been
changed. Records must now be submitted within 30 days of the
completion date (M0090).
- A new field has been added to accommodate the National Provider ID.
This field, NATL_PROV_ID, is in both the header record and in the body
record. In Version 1.50 of the data specs, this field is voluntary and
may be left blank.
- A new consistency check has been added to the primary diagnosis
severity code (M0230_PRIMARY_DIAG_SEVERITY). A warning will now be
issued if this field contains a value of "00" (zero). This
is only a warning message and will not prevent the record from being
accepted.
- New consistency checks have been added to two pressure ulcer fields
(M0460 and M0464).
- New consistency checks have been added to the stasis ulcer fields
(M0468 through M0476).
- New consistency checks have been added to the surgical wound fields
(M0482 through M0488).
- A consistency check between M0012_MEDICAID_ID in the body record,
and ST_ID in the header record, has been changed from a fatal message
to a warning message. This has been done to make the submission
process easier for agencies with branches in more than one state.
- A new value ("01.50") has been added to VERSION_CD2 to
accommodate the new version of the data specs.
Home health agencies should contact their OASIS software vendor to
ensure that their software program will be updated to meet the new data
specifications. OASIS data specifications, version 1.50, can be viewed and
downloaded from the CMS OASIS website at: www.cms.hhs.gov/OASIS/04_DataSpecifications.asp.
OASIS and HMO/Managed Care Programs
Medicare Programs
Medicare beneficiaries may choose the traditional Medicare
fee-for-service program, or they may choose a Medicare Advantage Plan
(formerly know as Medicare + Choice Plan). OASIS applies to home health
agency skilled patients who have either of these Medicare programs. For
patients enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, OASIS item M0150-Current
Payment Sources for Home Care, should be coded a 2-Medicare (HMO/managed
care), if services during the care will be billed to the Medicare
Advantage Plan provider.
Wisconsin Family Care
Family Care is a voluntary long -term care managed care program that is
being piloted in several Wisconsin counties. The Department of Health and
Family Services (DHFS) contracts with Care Management Organizations (CMOs)
that provide or arrange for services in the Family Care benefit package.
Family Care is partially supported by Medicaid funding under a CMS
approved Medicaid waiver. OASIS applies to home health agency skilled
patients who are Family Care members AND who are Medicaid-eligible.
Medicaid-eligible Family Care members receive Wisconsin Medicaid Forward
cards. Family Care members who are not eligible for Medicaid will be
assigned an identification number, but will not receive Forward cards.
However, any members who were previously eligible for Medicaid may still
have Forward cards.
Home health agencies may verify Family Care eligibility through an
Automated Voice Response (AVR) system by entering the member's
identification number. The AVR system is accessed by calling (800)
WIS-ELIG (947-3544), or (608) 221-4247. When verifying Family Care
eligibility for members who are NOT eligible for Medicaid, the AVR system
will state:
- That the member is enrolled in Family Care;
- The CMO's telephone number; and
- "For this period, recipient is eligible only for services provided
by the Family Care program. No Medicaid card services are available."
OASIS does not apply to Family Care members who are not
Medicaid-eligible and who are not Medicare beneficiaries. For Family Care
members who are Medicaid-eligible and who are receiving home health
skilled services, OASIS item M0150-Current Payment Sources for Home Care
should be coded a 3-Medicaid (traditional fee-for-service), if these
services will be billed to the CMO.
Additional information about Family Care can be accessed at the
following DHFS website:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid2/handbooks/familycare/index.htm
CMS Webcasts
CMS webcasts produced between January and April, 2006 are listed below.
They will be available for one year after the date of release. You may
access these webcasts at http://cms.internetstreaming.com/.
| Date |
Title of Webcast |
|
1/27/06 |
Semi-Annual SCG News Magazine Part II - Dealing with
Difficult People |
|
2/24/06 |
Adaptation: Dealing with the Changing Needs and
Capabilities, Part I - Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs |
|
3/24/06 |
Introducing the New Psychosocial Outcome Severity
Guide |
|
4/7/06 |
Nursing Home Journal Volume III: Surveying the
Activities Requirements - Introduction of New Activities Guidelines |
|
4/21/06 |
Adaptation: Dealing with Changing Needs and
Capabilities, Part II - Dealing with the Loss of Independence |
Extinguisher Recall Program
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a voluntary
recall program of dry chemical fire extinguishers. The fire extinguishers
can fail to discharge properly when the trigger is activated, which puts
consumers at risk of fire-related injuries. Strike First Corporation of
America has received three reports of the fire extinguishers failing to
discharge properly when activated. The recall includes the 2.5 lb and 5 lb
extinguishers with the following model numbers:
Model Number Serial Number Range
WBSF-ABC110AP TC101566 through TC108819
WBSF-ABC210AP TC114969 through TC135000
VV822001 through VV832000
WH161001 through WH167622
WBSF-ABC340AP TC135894 through TC142345
The serial number is located on the extinguisher's label, below the
"UL" mark. The fire extinguishers, manufactured in Canada, are
red, and designed for commercial, industrial, multi-residential, and
vehicle applications. They were sold by fire extinguisher dealers
nationwide, from December 2002 through April 2004, for between $13 and
$21.
Consumers with fire extinguishers included in the recall should
immediately contact SFC America for information on how to arrange to have
their extinguishers repaired. Call SFC America at (800) 255-5515, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the SFC America Web
site at www.strikefirstusa.com/bulletin002.htm.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall information is on
the Internet at https://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06084.html.
Emergency Light and Replacement of Roller Latches (Life Safety Code)
We wish to remind all providers subject to the Life Safety Code that
the requirements concerning emergency light and the replacement of roller
latches were originally published January 10, 2003, in the Federal
Register (Vol. 68, No. 7, page 1374) as a final rule entitled
"Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Fire Safety Requirements for Certain
Health Care Facilities." This regulation adopted the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 101 - 2000 edition of the Life Safety Code (LSC),
and related changes to the fire safety regulations.
Providers affected include hospitals, nursing homes, intermediate care
facilities for persons with mental retardation (ICFs/MR), inpatient
hospices, and ambulatory surgical centers.
The above-mentioned regulation, which was effective March 11, 2003,
gave facilities until March 13, 2006, to comply with two changes to the
requirements. Those requirements included 1) replacing batteries used in
emergency lighting, where required, to provide illumination for a minimum
of 90 minutes; and 2) replacing roller latches commonly found in corridor
doors with a positive latching device.
Additional details are available via the Departments memo
DSL-BQA-03-006, on the Internet at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/Publications/03-006.htm.
Relocation Plans - Procedure Change
The Division of Disability and Elder Services (DDES) has changed the
procedure for submission of relocation plans as required by Wis. Stat., ch.
50.03. In the past, relocation plans for Nursing Homes, Intermediate Care
Facilities for the Mentally Retarded (ICF-MR), and Community Based
Resident Facilities (CBRF - 5 beds or more) were required to be submitted
to the Bureau of Quality Assurance (BQA). BQA had the primary
responsibility for reviewing and approving relocation plans. Effective
February 20, 2006, this role has been moved to the Bureau of Long Term
Support - Community Options Sections. The new contact for the relocation
process is Deb St. Arnauld, LTC Closure Coordinator. If your facility is
required to submit relocation plan to the DDES, either voluntarily, or as
part of an enforcement action, please submit the relocation plan to:
Deb St. Arnauld, LTC Closure Coordinator
1 W. Wilson - Room 450
P.O. Box 7851
Madison, WI 53701-7851
Phone: (608) - 266-9303 - Fax: (608) 267-2913
E-mail: Starnda@dhfs.state.wi.us
Please refer to the Relocation Manual located on the BQA website for
additional information:
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/Providers/relocation.htm
Latest CMS Survey & Certification Letters
Listed below are selected Survey and Certification (S&C) Letters
distributed by CMS during the last quarter. Titles pertaining only to
state agency operations are omitted. If you have questions about
individual letters, contact Susan Hespen of BQA at (608) 266-0582, or
e-mail hespesj@dhfs.state.wi.us.
Please note that the CMS Internet site for all S&C letters has been
changed to www.cms.hhs.gov/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/PMSR/list.asp.
| Title |
Number |
Date |
|
Compliance Date for Installation of Emergency Lighting and Replacement of
Existing Roller Latches |
06-08 |
3/10/06 |
|
Issuance of Revised Activities Guidance (Tags F248 and F249) as Part of
Appendix PP, SOM [nursing homes] |
06-09 |
3/10/06 |
|
Issuance of the New Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide as Part of
Appendix P, SOM [nursing homes] |
06-10 |
3/10/06 |
|
Issuance of Revised Surveyor Guidance for QAA (Tags F520 and F521) as Part
of App PP, SOM |
06-11 |
3/10/06 |
|
State Operations Manual (SOM) Chapter 5, Complaints |
06-12 |
3/22/06 |
New Activities Guidelines
On March 10, 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
released an advance copy of the Revised Activities Guidelines. This
information was provided in Survey & Certification letter 06-09,
entitled "Issuance of Revised Activities Guidance (Tags F248 and
F249) Part of Appendix PP, State Operations Manual, and Training
Materials."
The Guidelines describe changes in activity assessments, care plans,
and interventions. The areas of focus for the activity assessments include
behavior symptoms, cognitive and communication impairments, and impaired
mobility. Activity care plans are expected to address these areas, even if
the Activities Resident Assessment Protocol (RAP) is not triggered. The
new guidelines address a key change from larger group activities to small
group and individualized activities to address the preference of
residents. Nursing homes now have a more specific obligation to design
activities that appeal to the unique interests of every resident.
Activities should be relevant to the specific needs, interests, culture,
background, etc., of the individual.
The revised guidelines become effective June 1, 2006. At that time, a
final copy of this new guidance will be available at www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/
and ultimately incorporated into Appendix PP of the State Operations
Manual.
New Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new
surveyor guidance for using the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide. This
information was provided in Survey & Certification letter 06-10, dated
March 10, 2006, "Issuance of the New Psychosocial outcome Severity
Guide as Part of Appendix P, State Operations Manual, and Training
Materials."
The Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide clarifies when to apply the
"reasonable person concept," and provides criteria for
determining correct levels of psychosocial outcomes that developed,
continued, or worsened because of a facility's noncompliance.
This new guidance becomes effective June 1, 2006. At that time, a final
copy of this new guidance will be available at www.cms.hhs.gov/Transmittals/
and ultimately incorporated into Appendix P of the State Operations
Manual.
Health Care Facilities Make the "80% Club"
The following was taken from IC Update (first quarter 2006), a
newsletter of the Wisconsin Department of Public Health, Bureau of
Communicable Diseases and Preparedness:
During the 2005-06 influenza season, the Bureau of Communicable
Diseases and Preparedness challenged Wisconsin hospitals and nursing homes
to vaccinate at least 80% of their employees against influenza as a way to
reduce transmission of influenza virus among their patients and residents.
The Bureau is pleased to recognize the following health care organizations
that achieved this important goal.
Aurora Medical Center of Manitowoc County, Two Rivers
Brewster Village, Appleton
Cornell Area Care Center, Cornell
Clairemont Nursing and Rehabilitation, Eau Claire
Door County Memorial Hospital SNF, Sturgeon Bay
Fairhaven, Whitewater
Fairview Home, Mauston
Gillett-Woodland Village, Gillett
Grancare, Fond du Lac
Greenway Manor, Spring Green
Hetzel Care Center, Bloomer
Holton Manor, Elkhorn
Lakeview Medical, Rice Lake
Lincoln Village, Racine
Marquardt Memorial Manor, Watertown
Nazareth House, Stoughton
Northpoint Medical & Rehabilitation Center, Oshkosh
Onalaska Care Center, Onalaska
Oregon Manor, Oregon
Osceola Medical Center, Osceola
Pine Valley Health Care & Rehabilitation Center, Richland Center
Rennes Health Care Center, Appleton
Rest Haven Health Care Center, Verona
Ridgeview Terrace Long Term Care, Reedsburg
Rusk County Memorial Hospital & Nursing Home, Ladysmith
Sacred Heart Hospital, Eau Claire
St. Joseph's Hospital, Chippewa Falls
Tomah Health Care Center, Tomah
Williams Baycare Center, Williams Bay
Woodland Village, Suring
Administrative Rules Update
HFS 83 - "Community Based Residential Facilities"
The HFS 83 re-write workgroup has completed the draft of the proposed
rules for Chapter HFS 83. The goal of the workgroup was to eliminate
excessively prescriptive language and improve readability and
organization. The proposed rule clarifies medication administration
requirements and revises staff training standards, establishing a more
cost effective system for providers. The Rule Summary and draft rule are
currently under review by the DHFS Office of Legal Council. For more
information, you may view the Statement of Scope of proposed rules on the
Wisconsin Administrative Rules web-site at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
HFS 124 - "Hospitals"
The Wisconsin Administrative Register published a Statement of Scope of
proposed rules to amend Chapter 124 on April 1, 2005. The Department is
planning to update Chapter 124 to eliminate overly prescriptive
regulations, clarify the Department's enforcement authority, and make the
rule more consistent with the federal Medicare requirements. For more
information, you may view the Statement of Scope on the Wisconsin
Administrative Rules web-site at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
HFS 132 - "Nursing Homes"
BQA drafted proposed revisions to HFS 132 to eliminate duplicative
state regulations that are already contained in other State law or federal
nursing home regulations. The intent is to streamline the code by
eliminating regulations that provide unnecessary specificity and adopt the
applicable federal regulatory language. The proposed rule changes are
currently under review by interested stakeholders. For more information,
you may view the Statement of Scope on the Wisconsin Administrative Rules
web-site at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
HFS 133 - "Home Health Agencies"
The HFS 133 re-write workgroup, working with the advisory committee,
including providers, consumers and association representatives, has
completed the draft of the proposed rules for Chapter HFS 133. The goal of
the committee was to make the rule consistent with federal regulations and
to reflect current terminology and practice. It is anticipated that a
final draft of the proposed rule will be submitted to the DHFS Office of
Legal Council for review by May 2006. For more information, you may view
the Statement of Scope on the Wisconsin Administrative Rules web-site at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
HFS 148 - "Cancer Drug Repository Program"
Working with current participating facilities and members of the
original advisory committee, the Department drafted the proposed rule to
amend Chapter HFS 148 to include prescription drugs and supplies for
chronic disease in addition to cancer drugs. The public hearing was held
on April 4, 2006. For additional information, you may view the proposed
rule on the Wisconsin Administrative Rules web-site at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov.
For additional information, you may view the BQA Cancer Drug Repository
website at http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/bqaconsumer/cancerdrugreposy.htm.
Last Revised: June 30, 2008 |
