Kevin Lightle's Blog

Archive for February, 2012

Here is one that got past me. There are new guidelines for incident reporting that require a revised form that must be in place and in use by March 15th, 2012.  Here is the letter announcing the news. http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/wt/memoranda/required_investigation_format_memo.pdf

Here are the instructions: http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/wt/memoranda/form_opwdd_149_instructions.pdf

The form is a word document and can be found here:  http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/wt/manuals/part624/incident_management.jsp

Something we have all been waiting for has now arrived. Click here for a link to the Assessment Tool to be used in conjunction with the 1115 Waiver. Click here for a link to the fact sheet. interRAI Integrated Assessment Suite

Analysis of incidents is a major responsibility of an agency. Using the General Event Reporter (GER) in Therap provides administration with a great deal of information and its’ value is in the analysis of that data. Analysis is an on going project in order to be responsive to events and take actions prior to them developing into repeated or more serious incidents. OPWDD has provided guidelines for what elements are basic for a trend analysis and I have provided those here.

Elements of an Acceptable Incident Trend Report

An acceptable incident trend report must:
 Include the agency’s approach and commitment to incident management.
 Include the make‐ up of the agency’s Incident Review committee(s) and subcommittee(s), if
applicable, and schedule of meetings and summary of activities for the period of time included
in the report.
 Include that the committee, in accordance with agency policy, will report periodically (monthly,quarterly, etc.) but no less than annually to the CEO, Governing Body, and (if voluntary provider) to the DDSO on the committee’s:
1. general monitoring functions;
2. general identified trends in reportable incidents, deaths, serious reportable incidents,
allegations of abuse and other incidents which do not meet the definition for a reportable
incident (commonly referred to as occurrences, minor events, agency reportable, etc.)
and also medication errors if managed through the agency’s incident management process;
3. general identified trends in injuries of unknown origin regardless of category and
classification including occurrences (this may be done by the full committee or a member of
a subcommittee reporting to the full committee);
4. recommendations on corrective, preventative and/or disciplinary action pertaining to
identified trends; and,
5. recommendations to the CEO or designee to prevent recurrence of incidents presenting a
trend.

 Include aggregated data and information and not individual case specifics unless egregious or
identifying a trend across the agency operations.

 Include a trend analysis which contains examination of information including:
1. a comparison of incident types and number over a period of time;
2. identified trends by site, time, location, staff involved, individual involved, circumstances and any other pertinent information;
3. identified reasons for the trends and increases/decreases in incidents;
4. identified systemic changes implemented based on incidents reported and an analysis of
whether these changes were effective; and,
5. recommendations for future actions.

The news is coming fast and furious about the 1115 Waiver. Therap is looking forward to working with the various aspects of this waiver. It is through this technology that everyone should achieve success.

Here is the latest link to the Waiver monthly newsletter. http://www.opwdd.ny.gov/2011_waiver/images/february_2012_waiver_update.pdf

Therap will be presenting at the YAI International Conference on May 1^st  2012, at 1:00pm. Following is a transcript of the presentation. If you  would like a similar presentation given to your organization, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Topic:  Management/Supervisor – Technology

Event Type:   Seminar

Short Abstract:

This session will demonstrate the use of technology for transparent and effective communication for the enhancement of life and the prevention of abuse and/or neglect.

Full Abstract:

It is unfortunate to hear continued reports of agencies or cultures within systems that allow for abuse and neglect to occur or even persist. New York was exposed where reports of abuse and neglect were ignored or reports made never reached people who make a difference.

Participate in a discussion where we review how technology is being used to prevent abuse and neglect through enhanced communication. We will review how daily notes about a person’s welfare can be instantaneously shared with staff, administrators, family, and guardians. Incident reports can be shared in like manner but also the technology allows for easy access to data for trend reporting for identifying issues of prevention, training, or recognition.  Confidential communications and conversations can be confidential, HIPAA secure, and shared. This can create a trusting atmosphere and reach more people and when more people are involved supports or issues can be more easily identified and if need be, timely interventions. But also, times for celebration and staff/family recognition.

Breaking news! Considering the number of people and agencies from New York attending the National Conference on February 7-9 we are inviting staff of New York providers to a casual reception on Tuesday afternoon at 5. This is a time to network with agencies across the state, have a bite to eat, and learn how others are using Therap. This is not on the schedule yet, but there will be more information as we get closer to Tuesday. Also, please review the New York track for additional sessions related to the happenings of New York. If there is a topic not on this list that you need addressed, please do not hesitate to contact me.