In today's healthcare environment, there are many financial and regulatory issues that facilities need to be on top of in order to stay ahead of the game:

Public Perception of Quality
The Minimum Data Set (MDS) not only affects reimbursement for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) but it impacts how the public perceives your quality through government websites and newspaper ads.

Liability Insurance Crisis
The Annual Survey has more than a regulatory impact - it now affects liability insurance premiums.

Legalistic Society
Your nurses are monitoring a wound care situation and believe they're following your normal in-house practice. Two months later you're getting questions from an attorney and someone is asking to see your written policy related to wound care. You have practices but you don't really have an updated policy, now what do you do?

Continuous Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance
A problem gets reported, someone has a conversation about it and then it seems to be fixed for a while. Unfortunately, the same problem re-surfaces again several days later. Sound familiar?

Many facilities have managers with too much on their desk already, the concerns (like the ones listed above) are growing, and facilities feel like they're getting further and further behind. Our clinical staff are experts in their field and can help on a project that your staff don't have the time to address. Our staff have been presenting on issues related to quality and MDS training since 2001. We have presented on behalf of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) as well as for the CMS National Nursing Home Collaborative (Qualis Health). We would be happy to use our consulting services to assist you in your needs. If you have needs or questions related to:

• MDS Training
• Nursing Policies and Procedures
• Mock Survey Preparation
• Plan of Correction Assistance
• Continuous Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance

Please contact the Administrator of Health Services at (360) 779-7500 if you would like more information on these consulting services.