The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued another updated RAI manual this week, v 1.11.

The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes has released the latest trend update to reflect the progress of their initiative to decrease antipsychotic use in nursing homes.  There has been an overall average decline in antipsychotic usage nationally of 11.43 percent.

S&C: 14-01-NH  CMS letter with guidance related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in Nursing Homes

CMS has issued guidance related to CPR in nursing homes, ensuring each resident is permitted the opportunity for resuscitation if he/she chooses to have CPR performed.  Facilities may not designate themselves as a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) facility. 

FDA has issued a communication regarding safety enhancements on Duragesic patches. 

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) have released comprehensive modifications to the HIPAA Privacy, Security, Enforcement and Breach Notification Rules mandating a compliance deadline of Sept. 23, 2013.

Updated regional benchmarks for nursing staff turnover and retention are now available.

New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Systems Management has issued an RFP for Nursing Home Quality Improvement Projects: Customer Satisfaction Survey.