LifeSpan Enews June 25, 2010

Data Shows that Nursing Home Care is Improved by The Wellspring Program
Ten Maryland /DC Nursing Homes participating in The Wellspring Program through the Mid-Atlantic Wellspring Alliance have demonstrated improvements in key quality of care metrics. According to data collected and reported through My InnerView, a national data agency, the nursing homes reduced the number of resident falls, virtually eliminated restraints, and reduced both nurse and nursing assistant turnover. >Read more

Baltimore CARE Moved Into City's Department of Health
In an effort to save money and enhance service to seniors in Baltimore City, Mayor Rawlings-Blake announced this month that the Commission for Aging and Retirement Education (CARE) will be folded into the city's Health Department. The city intends to contract with Baltimore HealthCare Access to provide seniors with a 'one-stop shop'. The transition is set for July 1st and seniors can contact this agency by calling 410-649-0521. For questions regarding CARE's move, contact the Health Department at 410-396-4398.

Health IT Roadmap Published
The 2010–2012 LTPAC Health IT Road Map is the third Road Map published to provide guidance to provider organizations, policy-makers,vendors, payers, and other stakeholders. This road map identifies the progress made in the past years, formalizes the priorities for the next 24 months, and identifies three major priorities for the next two years: advocating for full participation, consideration and benefits for LTPAC providers in national, state and regional HIT incentives, investments and initiatives; promoting effective demonstration and adoption of HIT by the LTPAC sector; and promoting a person-centered vision of health and wellness across the total spectrum of health care. >Read more

Member Spotlight: Family & Nursing Care, Carroll Lutheran Village
Congratulations go out to these outstanding LifeSpan organizations for their recent activities:

* Family & Nursing Care Receives 2010 Business Recycling Achievement Award
*Carroll Lutheran Village Hosts Senator Ben Cardin
>Read more

LifeSpan Members Reviewing Assisted Living Regulations
Now that 1 year has elapsed since their implementation, LifeSpan is working closely with assisted living members to review and make recommended changes to the Office of Health Care Quality regarding the new regs. LifeSpan urges interested assisted living members to share with us your experience with the regulations - what problems have occurred in implementing the regulations; what works/what isn't working well; are there sections that you have been unable to implement because of market conditions; are there sections that you disagree with the interpretation of surveyors, etc. Please send Danna Kauffman your comments at dkauffman@lifespan-network.org by JULY 15th. LifeSpan's Assisted Living Task Force will then review the comments and compile them for a discussion with OHCQ.