Tuesday, October 17

10:30am-12:00pm Educational Programs
2:00pm-3:30pm Educational Programs
3:45pm-5:15pm Educational Programs

Tuesday, October 17 10:30am-12:00pm

Magic Bullets: Saving Costs without Sacrificing Patient Care

Cost efficiencies in the delivery of home care and hospice can be achieved without compromising health care services and the quality of care. With pressures increasing for providers to cut costs coming from Medicare, Medicaid, and managed care, a comprehensive cost control plan is essential. This program offers proven techniques for analyzing existing costs, exploring alternatives, implementing changes in spending, and evaluating the outcomes of a cost control plan in financial and patient service terms. Attendees will gain the insights gleaned from successful efforts to secure real cost savings without sacrificing patient care.

Objectives:

• Identify methods for evaluating existing costs that may be candidates for new efficiencies.
• Identify typical areas of cost that warrant control.
• Recognize the processes needed to assess whether cost controls affect care outcomes.

Faculty: Kristy Wright, President/CEO, Visiting Nurse Association of Western Pennsylvania, Butler, PA; Robert Simione, Principal, Simione Consultants, Hamden, CT;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Marketing & Business Development

Competitive Strategies: 5 Key Elements for Thriving in a High Stakes Outcomes Market

Home care agencies are entering an environment where the competition will be more challenging than ever before. The effective use of data regarding patient outcomes will help agencies to gain the commitment needed from referral sources and to grow market share. OASIS is only one avenue for documentation and collection of outcomes data. Outcomes data can also be aggregated from effective agency programs that deliver great patient care and results. This session demonstrates how to integrate clinical practice patterns and patient outcomes data into marketing initiatives for success in this new highly competitive pay for performance environment.

Objectives:

• Identify key referral sources and cite strategies that build long-term relationships, gain commitment, and grow market share.
• Cite outcomes data that helps to affect physician practice patterns and optimize sales and marketing initiatives.
• Demonstrate how to prepare effective presentations for referral sources derived from patient outcomes data.

Faculty: Laurie Salmons, RN, BSN, Principal Consultant, OUTCOMELogics,Inc., Knoxville, TN; Keri Ruffell, BS, MBA-Health Management, MBA-Marketing, Regional Manager of Market Development, Heartland Home Health, Toledo, OH;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Legal, Regulatory & Risk Management, Clinical & Disease Management

Blueprint for Successful Compliance Planning: Legal and Clinical Aspects

Successful compliance planning must include an analysis of the applicable state and federal laws relating to today's health care industry. This presentation will address fraud and abuse, anti-kickback, and Stark laws. In addition, developing a compliance plan that invokes the protections awarded under the attorney-client privilege will be discussed. Finally, strategies will be analyzed on how to minimize risk once a problem is detected.

Objectives:

• Describe three components of an effective compliance plan relative to home care practice.
• Discuss three federal statutes that govern fraud and abuse in the health care industry.
• State three methods of monitoring and auditing to ensure effective compliance with fraud and abuse regulations.

Faculty: Katherine Karker-Jennings, Esq., Attorney at Law, Katherine Karker-Jennings, PA, Clarksville, MD; Glenda Burke, RN BS, Chief Financial Officer, Alternatives, A Consulting and Education Service, Panama City, FL;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Marketing & Business Development

Develop the Future of your Agency: Ten Business Lessons I Learned from my Sons

There is no better teacher in business than personal life experience. This program will identify 10 lessons learned from a family that can be applied to developing the future of a hospice or home care agency or any other business setting. These are not only practical guides for new and experienced leaders but also humorous experiences taught in a creative way.

Objectives:

• Identify five communication errors people make.
• Identify 10 business lessons learned in a family setting.
• Describe ways to use 10 business lessons to help you develop and recruit leaders of the future.

Faculty: Marcylle Combs, RN, BS, CHCE, President, Foundation Management Services, Inc., Denton, TX; Brenda Beggs, RN, CHCE, Vice President Clinical Operations, Foundation Management Services, Inc., Denton, TX;

Course Level: Novice; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Management & Human Resources

Open House: A Way to Cover Required Staff Education Programs with a "One-Stop-Shopping" Approach

This open house approach is designed for home care nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, social workers and dieticians. This alternative to web-based or computer learning allows face to face interaction between managers, clinicians and their peers. Learn how to present the mandatory educational topics of infection control, advanced directives, domestic violence/abuse, corporate compliance and HIPAA law in a four hour "open house" setting that is convenient and fun for staff to attend.

Objectives:

• Describe how the five required staff education topics can be covered in an open house presentation.
• Discuss three advantages to the agency using the open house presentation method.
• Provide three reasons why field staff prefer the open house presentation method.

Faculty: Suzanne Van Loon, RNC (Community Health), BSN, MPH, , Director of Clinical Services, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, Bernardsville, NJ; Maryse Bouton, RN, BSN, MSN candidate 6/06,COS-C candidate 11/05, Coordinator of Staff Development, Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, Bernardsville, NJ;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Private Pay, Marketing & Business Development

Adding Private Pay Services? Use Strategic Branding to Increase Referrals

Marketing the addition of private pay services to an existing Medicare agency can be successful if strategic branding is used as the foundation. This experiential program will demonstrate through attendee interaction how to, from a marketing perspective, add private pay services and make your agency's message strong and clear so as to reinforce existing marketing efforts and stand out from the competition. Utilizing the expanded understanding of branding, using these determined focused messages, and integrating them with existing company marketing strategy while enhancing visuals is instrumental in introducing new services and reinforcing cross referrals for these new services.

Objectives:

• Demonstrate the importance of agency branding when adding new services.
• Discuss the human elements of reactions to branding, and how it can increase consumer/referral familiarity, thus increasing referrals.
• Identify how to integrate branded messages and visuals across direct service providers to reinforce new services.

Faculty: Merrily Orsini, MSSW, Managing Director, corecubed, Louisville, KY;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Emergency & Pandemic Preparedness, Clinical & Disease Management

The Latest Intelligence on Progress of the Avian Flu Virus: A Primer

Home caregivers deal with issues related to influenza on a regular basis, but the threat posed by avian flu is in another league altogether. In order to effectively address the risks posed by a potential pandemic caused by the H5N1 avian flu virus, it is important to understand the process by which this deadly virus can mutate and spread, and the far-reaching impact it can have on all aspects of society. This workshop will provide a primer on the potential for the mutation and spread of the virus, the threats it poses, and the challenges it poses to the home care practitioner.

Objectives:

• Describe the process by which avian flu mutations and spread could result in pandemic.
• Identify threats posed by the avian flu virus to the public health.
• Relate challenges facing the home care practitioner in dealing with a pandemic.

Faculty: Sharon D. Martin, MSN APRN BC, Associate Professor of Nursing, Saint Joseph's College, Standish, ME;

Course Level: Novice; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Telehealth & Technology, Leadership

Push to Paperless: A 5 Year Project

This program will discuss the five year implementation process of an electronic medical record in a freestanding, non profit, home care and hospice. This will include the administrative, clinical, and business office operations of a paperless model and the impact on efficiencies, performance improvement, and pay for performance. The content will include the selection of the system, implementation and training of the staff, and deployment of technologies including point of service, intake, electronic verification and authorization for services, physician web portal, scheduling, supply management on line, telephony, telemedicine, general ledger, Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance billing, electronic remittance advice, HIPAA auditing, and payroll.

Objectives:

• Identify process for developing a strategic plan to automate home care processes.
• Identify the role of electronic health records in performance improvement.
• Express the business advantages of a paperless model.

Faculty: Carol Conrad, RN, BSN, MEd, Manager of Quality Improvement, Neighborhood Health Agencies, West Chester, PA; Andrea Devoti, MSN, MBA, RN, Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Neighborhood Health Agencies, West Chester, PA; David , CPA, Principal, Simione Consultants, LLC, Hamden , CT;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Physician

On Physician Communication: Diagnosis and Compassion

This session will present the importance of empathy, compassion, and communication in dealing with life-threatening illness. The presenter will discuss these issues from a personal account of a seriously ill family member.

Objectives:

• Discuss the importance of empathy, compassion, and communication as it pertains to a life-threatening illness.
• Discuss the current literature regarding compassion and empathy.
• Participate in a case report and provide personal experiences.

Faculty: Paul Rousseau, MD, Palliative Care Physician, Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Glendale, AZ;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Whats New in Hospice Medical Review?

Expansion in the provision of hospice services has resulted in increased medical review of hospice claims. Attendees will learn from a Fiscal Intermediary Medical Director what types of claims are drawing attention and how to properly document to ensure payment. The Medical Director and a Hospice Provider will discuss specific case examples to clarify billing for appropriate levels of care. This interactive workshop will include lecture, case study, discussion and questions and answers.

Objectives:

• Identify types of hospice claims attracting medical review.
• Discuss effective documentation of care provided.
• Describe examples of appropriate level of care billing.

Faculty: Dr. James Cope, MD, Medical Director, United Government Services, Milwaukee, WI; Timothy Boon, RN, BS, CRNH, Vice President for Hospice and Palliative Care, Connecticut VNS, Wallingford, CT;

Course Level: TBA1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Quality & Outcomes, Financial

Get Ready for Performance-Based Pay

Although Pay for Performance (P4P) will only begin to be implemented in 2007, it is essential that agencies start reviewing and addressing key outcome measures now. By reviewing the key outcome measures today, as well as communicating and achieving buy-in from clinical staff, the agency can implement process and achieve outcome improvement before P4P implementation occurs. This will position your agency for success.

Objectives:

• Discuss the P4P concept, its impact on agency financial performance, public perception, clinical staff, and patients .
• Identify key reporting needs to be prepared for P4P as well as demonstrate example reports and processes which would aide home care agencies in becoming prepared.
• Employ a buy-in from agency clinical staff for ultimate success.

Faculty: Raymond Helms, MPH, Agency Administrator, ComfortCare Home Health & Hospice, Chesapeake, VA; Imelda Angst, RN, Director of Patient Services, ComfortCare Home Health & Hospice, Chesapeake, VA; Sarah , Senior Solutions Designer, Cerner BeyondNow, Centennial, CO;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Leadership, Financial

The Balanced Scorecard as a Means to Pay-for-Performance Success

This interactive workshop will help the home care and hospice leader learn how to overcome the barriers to measurement and begin to understand what financial and non-financial performance measures to select in order to help their agency achieve its unique competitive advantage, drive strategic change throughout all levels of the organization and better position the agency for Pay-for-Performance. The workshop will also highlight how one home care and hospice agency used such an approach and the results that were achieved.

Objectives:

• Discuss the barriers to measurement inherent in the leadership and management processes.
• Introduce an approach to overcoming these measurement challenges and position the agency for pay-for-performance.
• Highlight how one home care and hospice agency adopted such an approach and how workshop participants can begin to do something similar.

Faculty: Paul Breaux, Managing Director , SBS Partners , Desthrehan, LA; Donna DeBois, MSB, RN, Execuitive Director, Kno-Wal-Lin Homecare & Hospice, Rockland, ME; John , President, Houllahan & Associates, Winthrop , ME;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Quality & Outcomes

The "Lean Method" Approach to Performance Improvement

The Kodak Operating System (KOS), an approach to apply Lean Methods, has been utilized throughout Kodak, ranging from manufacturing to office work, research, and logistics, with the primary objectives of improving efficiencies and quality while reducing waste and overall expense. Details regarding the use of the Lean Method in the VNS intake department to meet or exceed external benchmarks and streamline the scheduling of admissions visits will be explained in this session. A formal closing meeting took place approximately one month after the work began, demonstrating $400,000 in savings for 2006.

Objectives:

• Discuss core principles of the Lean Method.
• Demonstrate application of Lean Methods to the VNS intake department.
• Discuss role of independent facilitator.

Faculty: Meredith Graham, MS, KOS (Kodak Operating System) Manager, Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY; Timothy Ashe, RN, MBA, MS, Vice President, Clinical Operations, Visiting Nurse Services of Rochester & Monroe Coun, Webster, NY; Kevin , Senior Principal Scientist, Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, NY;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Hospice, Financial

Build An In-Patient Facility or Hospice & Palliative Care Residence? Two Successful Perspectives

Two hospice & palliative care agencies will share how they built their respective sites and successfully operate in their communities. The pros and cons of new construction vs. remodeling will be reviewed. The new in-patient facility will discuss their process from architectural design, to ever-changing costs of materials and construction, site limitations, certification/accreditation hoops and Life and Safety Code requirements. The established hospice residence will share their construction issues, why they chose a residence rather than an inpatient facility and steps taken to ensure financial viability. Presenters will give an account of how to find the middle ground on disagreements through compromise and negotiation to make their dreams a reality.

Objectives:

• Describe the unknown obstacles involved in building a facility in relation to the local, state, and certification/accreditation regulations, Life and Safety Codes and changes in the original plan.
• Discuss the pros and cons of new construction vs. remodeling.
• Describe strategies for ongoing financial viability.

Faculty: Raymond Clark, RN, BSN, MA, Vice President, Universal Health Services, Fort Worth, TX; Kathy Walls, RN, BSN, CHPN, CEO/President, Universal Health Services, Fort Worth, TX; Merry Beth , Chief Executive Officer, Visiting Nurse Association of Middlesex-East & VN Hospice, Wakefield, MA;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Hospice, Physician

Kids Grieve Too

Children grieve differently. Despite the fact that many adults believe that children are "too young to notice" or are "too young to grieve," children are quite aware when someone they love dies. Additionally, the way they grieve and their understanding of death vary depending on ages. The way children grieve, their understanding, their needs, and their behaviors will be discussed along with theories of grief pertaining to children. Ways of supporting grieving children will be explored as well as a variety of programs to assist children in their grief.

Objectives:

• Discuss one way that children grieve differently than adults.
• Identify two age-specific needs of grieving children.
• Name two programs appropriate for grieving children.

Faculty: Susan Blakeslee, MA, LMHC, Clinical Associate, UHSA, Inc., Atlanta, GA; Melanie Gossard, RNC, Director of Nursing, UHC, Inc., Bellefontaine, OH;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Tuesday, October 17 2:00pm-3:30pm

Managed Care, Leadership, Financial

What a Plan Wants: Medicare Advantage Plans' Perspectives on Home Health

Home care providers express frustration that managed care organizations fail to recognize that home care is highly valuable - it saves money by keeping patients out of costly institutions and provides care management, as well. So, what's the resistance to paying adequately for these important services? In this session a panel of managed care organization (MCO) representatives will provide their views on the role of home care in managed care, and what they look for when contracting with home care agencies.

Objectives:

• Explain the value of home care from a MCO's point of view.
• Identify characteristics that increase a home care agency's attractiveness to a managed care plan.
• Describe management issues MCOs must deal with in contracting for and overseeing home care services.

Faculty: Panel of Medicare Advantage Plan Representatives ;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Financial, Marketing & Business Development

Startup, Acquisition, or New Programs and Services: A Framework for Choosing the Best Business Expansion Strategies

In crafting an aggressive expansion strategy, a home care business will typically consider three basic development strategies; (1) start-up, (2) acquisition, or (3) new programs and services. While the options are relatively simple, choosing among them can be extremely difficult. In this program, we will discuss a decision framework for choosing the most appropriate development strategies.

Objectives:

• Describe and expand upon the basic fundamentals of return on investment.
• Identify the financial and non-financial resources that may be required to support a development strategy.
• Identify the financial and non-financial returns that can be realized from a development strategy.

Faculty: Dexter Braff, President, The Braff Group, Pittsburgh, PA; Steven Braff, Managing Director, The Braff Group, Pittsburgh, PA;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Quality & Outcomes

Medicare QIO and Home Health Agency Collaboration: The Present and Future of Quality Improvement

Medicare quality of care and public reporting requirements have helped to promote the partnerships between home health agencies and Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). This program will explore program priorities for QIO work with home health agencies and provide specific approaches that have resulted in improved care of patients and reduced hospitalizations during the 8th Scope of Work. In addition, the vision for ongoing work between QIOs and home health agencies will be explored.

Objectives:

• Describe the QIO program priorities for working with home health agencies.
• Recognize specific approaches QIOs will use to improve care for home health patients and reduce avoidable hospitalizations.
• Describe the home health environment in 2006 and the vision for the home health agencies improvement efforts.

Faculty: David Adler, Director of Government Affairs, American Health Quality Association, Washington, DC; Marian Essey, RN, BSN, Health Quality Improvement Project Director, Quality Insights of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Marketing & Business Development, Financial

An Innovative Approach to Building Serious Equity In Your Agency

Presenters will discuss proven methods used to build equity in their agency and ensure fiscal soundness, the process for developing successful capital campaigns and innovative ways to move your agency forward with telemedicine and technology.

Objectives:

• Describe reliable methods for building equity and maintaining fiscal soundness.
• Describe the planning process and key components necessary when conducting a professional capital campaign.
• Discuss telemedicine grants and other innovative ideas to advance your agency forward with technology.
• Cite specific examples on how diversified, community-based agencies can compete with anyone in home care.

Faculty: Donna L. Grimm, RN, BA, MS, CHCE, President/CEO , Community Health Professionals, Inc., Van Wert, OH; Brent Tow, Vice President of Operations, Community Health Professionals, Inc., Van Wert, OH;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Legal, Regulatory & Risk Management, Clinical & Disease Management

Meeting the Cultural and Liguistic Needs of a Diverse Patient Population

According to the Institute of Medicine (Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care, 2002), cultural and linguistic minority populations do not achieve the same health outcomes as the majority population. This is a major ethical concern, that raises legal, regulatory, risk management, and business issues for all health care organizations, including home health care agencies. This presentation will describe the relationship of CLAS Standards and LEP requirements to quality care and good outcomes, will present strategies that participants can use to meet these standards and requirements at their agencies, and will discuss the relationship of CLAS Standards and LEP requirements to JCAHO standards.

Objectives:

• Describe the relationship of the CLAS Standards and LEP requirements to quality care and good outcomes.
• Incorporate strategies for meeting CLAS Standards and LEP requirements at his/her agency.
• Discuss the relationship of CLAS Standards and LEP requirements to JCAHO standards.

Faculty: Mary Narayan, MSSN, RN, CS, CTN , Education Consultant , Visiting Nurse Service Network , Vienna , VA;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Leadership, Marketing & Business Development, Private Pay

Self-Directed Care: A New Business Line for Home Care Providers

With the growth of self-directed care across the country home care providers need to be ready to be entrepreneurial in order to avoid missing opportunities in this growing care delivery model. There are a variety of roles available to home care providers in the self-directed care arena, including having full responsibility for the entire self-directed care program or contracting the agency out for specific functions such as acting as fiscal intermediary, conducting patient screening, engaging in quality assurance activities; providing care management services, and conducting caregiver screening, training and or oversight. This program will provide an overview of the self-directed care options open to home care providers.

Objectives:

• Describe major trends in self-directed home care.
• Identify issues and opportunities for providers.
• Describe the options that home care providers have to participate in self-directed care delivery models.

Faculty: Joie Glenn, RN, MBA, CAE, Executive Director, New Mexico Association for Home and Hospice Care, Albuquerque, NM;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Hospice, Legal, Regulatory & Risk Management

Strategic Electronic Methods to Meet Hospice Conditions of Participation

The Proposed Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for hospices were announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2005. The Hospice CoPs ensure that hospice patients receive high quality of care during the dying process. The goal of this presentation is to help the hospice community understand what the new CoPs include and how an electronic medical record can help agencies meet the CoPs.

Objectives:

• Describe an overview of the proposed CoPs and how it will affect agencies.
• Discuss how an electronic system can help hospices meet the CoP's.
• Identify methods for implementing an electronic system in the hospice setting.

Faculty: Sarah D'Orvilliers, Senior Solutions Designer, Cerner BeyondNow, Overland Park, KS; Mandy Wollmer, Director of Quality and Compliance, Hospice of theValley, Phoenix, AZ; Callene , RN, BSN, MA, Vice President of Clinical Operations, Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix, AZ;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Emergency & Pandemic Preparedness, Financial

How to Cope with a Disaster and Recovery - Learning From Experience

If you think a disaster will never happen to you or your organization, why do you buy insurance? Learn from the successes and mistakes of someone who has recently experienced a near catastrophe.

Objectives:

• Describe the possibility that an internal disaster can happen as well as the impact and initial response to a sudden catastrophe.
• Describe clinical issues arising as a result of disaster; areas affected, and one agency's problems and responses.
• Describe the necessary aspects of financial and administrative preparedness for an agency disaster.

Faculty: Robert Carpenter, MBA, CPA, MCSE, CHCE, President and CEO, The VNA of Texas, Dallas, TX;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Private Pay

Risk Management for Private Pay Home Care Agencies

The home care industry has had a honeymoon period with regard to legal liability. The party now seems to be coming to an end. Agencies are under increasing fire from patients and their families. Key areas of risk include theft by agency employees, non-compliant patients, and caregivers, abuse of patients by caregivers, liability for abandonment when agencies must discontinue services to patients, and admitting and continuing services to patients who are not appropriate for home care. The purpose of this presentation is to identify potential areas of risk for private pay agencies and to provide practical strategies for managing these risks.

Objectives:

• Identify three key areas of potential risk for home care providers.
• Describe four requirements of proof of negligence; three (3) requirements of proof of abandonment.
• Describe three practical strategies for managing risks of liability in home care.

Faculty: Elizabeth E. Hogue, Esq., Burtonsville, MD;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Quality & Outcomes, Management & Human Resources

Validating Clinician Competency

Three very different home care programs (medical, psychiatric, and pediatric/private pay) within one certified agency each presented with unique and pressing needs for competency validation and ongoing education. A company-wide focus on clinical excellence through education and clinical validation became the basis for a newly implemented process that can be replicated and implemented in agencies of any size or type. This presentation will enable attendees to follow this process to create and maintain a competency validation program within their own agencies that will be cost-effective, meet regulatory/accreditation guidelines, promote maximum quality of care and facilitate the hiring of the staff best suited to home care. The end product will be adaptable to specialty programs as well.

Objectives:

• Identify the clinical competency and critical thinking skill sets desired in direct care staff.
• Discuss the process of creating and implementing a competency validation process that reflects the needs of an agency's patient base.
• Identify how this process assists an agency in meeting regulatory/accreditation requirements and improves the quality of care provided.

Faculty: Kathryn Roby, BSN, MA, MS CHCE, Projects Manager, New England Homecare, Cromwell, CT; Lee Rayzer, BSN, Administrator, New England Homecare, Cromwell, CT; Mary Beth , RN, BSN, Director of Education, New England Homecare, Cromwell, CT;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Leadership, Emergency & Pandemic Preparedness

Leadership in Times of Change

Changes often completely turn an agency upside down. These changes include things like the death of a co-worker, a change in ownership, or even having the agency closed. One of the ways to examine the concept of change and its impact is to look at the common skill sets of leaders who led their organizations through major challenges. In this program we will examine leaders' personal traits and skills and assess whether these can be taught.

Objectives:

• Discuss the participant's personal processing and coping style and identify ways to capitalize on their personal strengths and compensate for weaknesses.
• Assess employee communication styles and develop and present messages that are truly understood.
• Identify and develop leaders who have the skills to manage in times of change.

Faculty: Mary Argo, BA, MPA, Administrator, Universal Home Health and Hospice Care Inc., Bellefontaine, OH; Kathy Christiansen, Executive Director, Patient Care, Oak Park, IL;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Clinical & Disease Management, Quality & Outcomes

A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Diabetes Education for the Home Care Client

This presentation will provide the purpose and key elements of diabetes education in the home care setting. A quality improvement project was developed and implemented by HealthEast Home Care for diabetes education in response to an increasing number of adverse events for hyper/hypoglycemia. In order to improve results, a diabetes education pathway was developed and implemented by the registered dietitian/certified diabetes educator (RD, CDE). This pathway is a multidisciplinary approach to diabetes education.

Objectives:

• Identy the challenge of providing coordinated care for the home care client with diabetes.
• Discuss the components of diabetes education.
• Explain the contributions of each member of the health care team.

Faculty: Janet Morrison, RD, CDE, Registered Dietitian/Certified Diabetes Educator, HealthEast Home Care, St. Paul, MN; Nadine Paitich, RN, BSN, Clinical Manager of Routine Nursing, HealthEast Home Care, St. Paul, MN;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Telehealth & Technology, Management & Human Resources

Virtual Classrooms and Virtual Patients: Embracing New Technology in Home Care

This interactive workshop will allow the participant to experience first hand two of the latest, cutting-edge technologies being used at VNA Care Network, the nation's second largest freestanding VNA. The workshop will showcase: (1) a web-based, virtual classroom using multi-media technology to provide home health orientation, inservicing, and continuing education; and (2) a computerized patient simulator, a virtual patient, to validate competency and critical thinking in the home health industry. This workshop will allow participants to identify new technologies that can be integrated into their organization to increase productivity, improve quality, promote cost efficiencies and support nursing recruitment and retention.

Objectives:

• Identify technologies that can be integrated into home health agencies to increase productivity, improve quality, reduce costs, and support staffing.
• Describe the use of a web-based, virtual classroom using multi-media methods to provide home health orientation, inservicing, and continuing education.
• Discuss the use of a computerized patient simulator, a virtual patient, in the home health industry.

Faculty: Scott Carignan, BS, RN,BC, Education Coordinator / Project Director, VNA Care Network, Southborough, MA; Linda Baker, MSN, MBA, RN, CNAA, BC, Director of Clinical Education, Southborough, MA;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Clinical & Disease Management

Successful Transformation of a COPD Palliative Care Program throughout the Continuum of Care

This interactive workshop will allow the participant to experience first hand two of the latest, cutting-edge technologies being used at VNA Care Network, the nation's second largest freestanding VNA. The workshop will showcase: (1) a web-based, virtual classroom using multi-media technology to provide home health orientation, inservicing, and continuing education; and (2) a computerized patient simulator, a virtual patient, to validate competency and critical thinking in the home health industry. This workshop will allow participants to identify new technologies that can be integrated into their organization to increase productivity, improve quality, promote cost efficiencies and support nursing recruitment and retention.

Objectives:

• Describe the performance improvement process used to develop a care delivery model to meet the needs of COPD palliative care patient.
• Explain the care delivery model developed to manage the COPD palliative care patient across the continuum
• Review opportunities for program expansion.

Faculty: Tammy Nuesmeyer, MSN, RNBC, Program Manager, St Rita's Home Health, Lima, OH; Herb Wilker, MSW, LSW, Hospice Social Worker, St. Rita's Hospice, Lima, OH;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Tuesday, October 17 3:45pm-5:15pm

Quality & Outcomes

Joint Commission Update

This session will begin with the identification of significant Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations' standards, accreditation participation requirements, and National Patient Safety Goal changes. Attendees will receive current accreditation and standards information directly from the Joint Commission. Presenters will also identify significant areas of non-compliance with the standards and tips to help organizations meet those standards.

Objectives:

• Identify significant Joint Commission standards, accreditation participation requirements and National Patient Safety Goal changes.
• Discuss experience with the first year of unannounced surveys.
• Discuss future expectations regarding accreditation.

Faculty: Maryanne Popovich, RN, MPH, Executive Director, Home Care Accreditation Service, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Oakbrook Terrace, IL; Bob Floro, RRT, BA, Associate Director, Home Care Accreditation Service, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Oakbrook Terrace, IL;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Financial

Financial Managers Open Forum

Back by popular demand after a one-year hiatus, the Financial Managers Open Forum is a no-holds barred discussion of the crucial issues facing home care and hospice financial managers. The Home Care and Hospice Financial Managers Association (HHFMA) hosts this session where the attendees are active participants along with HHFMA Advisory Board and Workgroup members. It is the perfect opportunity for attendees to share their insights, gain the advice of the nation's best consultants, and find out how their colleagues in home care and hospice are addressing concerns. Plan on being there and plan on standing up to participate.

Objectives:

• Identify the most pressing issues facing home care and hospice financial managers.
• Explain how peers and colleagues are addressing their concerns.
• Recognize where the leaders in home care and hospice financial management see the industry moving.

Faculty: Moderator: William A. Dombi, Esq., Director, Center for Health Care Law, National Association for Home Care & Hospice, Washington, DC;

Course Level: Not Applicable;

Hospice, Legal, Regulatory & Risk Management

The New Medicare Appeals Process & Strategies for Success

The presentation will address the significant highlights of the new Medicare regulations impacting the appeals process for Medicare hospice providers. The presentation will also address successful past appeal strategies and how these and other approaches can be utilized under the new appeals process.

Objectives:

• Describe the new Medicare appeals process.
• Identify successful appeal strategies for third party payer audits, and understand how these strategies can be utilized in the new process.
• Discusscompliance strategies to avoid third party payer audits.

Faculty: Andrew Wachler, Esq., Principal, Wachler & Associates, P.C., Royal Oak, MI; Marilyn Brady, RN, Director of Clinical Support Services, Hospice of Michigan, Detroit, MI;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Hospice, Legal, Regulatory & Risk Management

Medicare Hospice Benefit Conditions of Participation: Whats New?

The Hospice Conditions of Participation (CoPs) have not been rewritten since the beginning of the Medicare Hospice Benefit in 1983. The proposed CoP were printed in the Federal Register at the end of May with comments accepted by the end of July 2005. The final CoPs are not likely to be released until the fall of 2007 and must publish by May 27, 2008. It is important for all hospices to prepare their operations to meet what are likely to be the new regulatory requirements. To help hospices understand the proposed changes, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) has asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) staffers responsible for rewriting the CoPs to do a presentation and discuss as much as possible the trends and findings in compiling the comments that were received, as well as the current status of the final conditions as they move through the regulatory process. This workshop will review the proposed changes and compare them with the current regulations.

Objectives:

• Identify differences between the old and new CoPs.
• Discuss the impact of the new CoPs on hospice operations.
• Identify status of new CoPs.

Faculty: Mary Rossi-Coajou, MS, RN, Health Program Evaluations Officer, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, CMS, Baltimore, MD; Danielle Shearer, Health Insurance Specialist, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, CMS, Baltimore, MD;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

United Government Services (UGS): Meet Your Medicare Regional Home Health Intermediary

United Government Services will host an informative session to provide an update on the latest Medicare information for home health and hospice providers. This is a wonderful opportunity for providers to present their questions and concerns directly to the intermediary.

Objectives:

Faculty: RHHI Staff ;

Course Level: Not Applicable;

Palmetto GBA: Meet Your Medicare Regional Home Health Intermediary

Palmetto GBA will host an informative session to provide an update on the latest Medicare information for home health and hospice providers. This is a wonderful opportunity for providers to present their questions and concerns directly to the intermediary.

Objectives:

Faculty: RHHI Staff ;

Course Level: Not Applicable;

Telehealth & Technology, Clinical & Disease Management

Preparing to Implement Clinical Documentation with Standardized Terminology

Implementing a documentation system with standardized terminology requires careful planning and strategies that accommodate education, application and acceptance of this "new" language and methodology. Attendees will learn how to create an education strategy and materials that will meet the needs of everyone on the staff, how to achieve staff acceptance and illustrate the benefits of standardization in terms of patient outcomes and agency performance, the importance of a multidisciplinary implementation team, and how to establish a pilot program to roll out the documentation system effectively.

Objectives:

• Identify benefits of adopting the use of a standardized clinical documentation system.
• Describe the system requirements to support a successful transition and timeline for adopting a standardized documentation system.
• Discuss the steps necessary to prepare and support your staff in a successful implementation of a standardized clinical documentation system.

Faculty: Kate O'Neil, MBA, BSN, Chief Operating Officer, VNA of Boston, Charlestown, MA; Karen Martin, RN, MSN, FAAN, Health Care Consultant, Martin Associates, Omaha, NE; Karen , RN, MSN, CHCE, Vice President of Clinical Strategies, McKesson, Springfield, MO;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Hospice, Clinical & Disease Management

Management of Non-Pain Symptoms

Inadequately treated non-pain symptoms can reduce the quality of life of dying patients, and foment a request for physician-assisted suicide. This presentation will utilize didactics and case presentations to discuss the management of dyspnea, hemoptysis, cough, the death rattle, nausea and vomiting, and hiccups.

Objectives:

• Discuss implications of inadequately treated non-pain symptoms for the dying patient.
• Discuss medications used to treat non-pain symptoms.
• Cite non-pain management modalities for specific symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, nausea and vomiting.

Faculty: Paul Rousseau, MD, Palliative Care Physician, Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Glendale, AZ;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Management & Human Resources, Telehealth & Technology

E-learning's Future in Your Agency

This session will focus on the paradigm shift needed to incorporate technology, specifically e-learning courses, into the home health care and hospice industries. As with any significant change in business process, adding e-learning to an agency's educational strategy will be met with some resistance. Using Minnesota Home Care Association and its member agencies as case studies, the group will explore best practices for implementing and successfully using e-learning in their agencies. Each participant will also have the opportunity to build their own action plan to add e-learning to their educational offerings.

Objectives:

• Overcome barriers to implementing e-learning.
• Discuss best practices to implementing e-learning.
• Design a plan to incorporate e-learning into your educational strategy.

Faculty: Sara Bunge, M. Ed., Workforce Development Manager, Rochester Community & Technical College, Rochester, MN; Neil Johnson, RN, Executive Director, Minnesota Home Care Association, St. Paul, MN;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

Quality & Outcomes, Management & Human Resources

Roles and Functions of Case Managers - Exciting New Research

Case management is an ever-changing and dynamic field, in a myriad of settings. This presentation will announce the findings of one of the most comprehensive case management research studies ever conducted. This study examines the roles and functions of over 4,500 case managers in a variety of settings -- hospitals, home care, insurance, worker's compensation, managed care companies and independent case management companies -- and will discuss the implications of the findings for the field of case management. The presentation will also cover the need for professional certification in consumer protection, as it provides a Code of Professional Conduct and requires professionals to remain current with practice in their chosen field.

Objectives:

• Describe the background and overview of the Role and Function Survey of Case Managers.
• Discuss the findings of the study specific to home care case management.
• Discuss the implications of the study on the field of case management and the need for certification as a practicing professional.

Faculty: Mindy Owen, RN, CRRN, CCM, Immediate Past Chair, Commission for Case Manager Certification, Rolling Meadows, IL; Dorothy Consonery-Fairnot, RN, MSHA, CCM, ABDA, CNLC, Commissioner, Commission for Case Manager Certification, Rolling Meadows,, IL;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending);

Leadership, Marketing & Business Development

Navigating for Success: Impact of the Model of Care on Agency Success

Affinity Visiting Nurses (AVN) has been recognized for excellence in clinical outcomes while achieving fiscal success. A member of Ministry Home Care, AVN is currently ranked in the upper 10% for selected clinical outcomes while realizing a profit for fiscal year 2005. This presentation will detail the challenges faced by AVN leadership, the strategies for process improvement employed by agency and corporate leadership, and the outcomes achieved.

Objectives:

• Describe the challenges and the driving forces that resulted in the need for a change in the model of care.
• Discuss the model of care and the strategies to facilitate agency transition.
• Share the key critical indicators that demonstated the agency's success.

Faculty: Linda Brown, RN, BSN, Home Health Director, Ministry Home Care, Appleton, WI; Jaime Potopinski, RN, BSN, MBA, Home Health Supervisor, Ministry Home Care, Appleton, WY; Dorothy , RN, MSN, Manager of Quality Services, Ministry Home Care, Marshfield, WI;

Course Level: Advanced; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);

CAHABA GBA: Meet Your Medicare Regional Home Health Intermediary

CAHABA GBA will host an informative session to provide an update on the latest Medicare information for home health and hospice providers. This is a wonderful opportunity for providers to present their questions and concerns directly to the intermediary.

Objectives:

Faculty: RHHI Staff ;

Course Level: Not Applicable;

Associated Hospital Services: Meet Your Medicare Regional Home Health Intermediary

Associated Hospital Services will host an informative session to provide an update on the latest Medicare information for home health and hospice providers. This is a wonderful opportunity for providers to present their questions and concerns directly to the intermediary.

Objectives:

Faculty: RHHI Staff ;

Course Level: Not Applicable;

Private Pay, Telehealth & Technology

Establish a Telehealth Monitoring Program for Your Private Pay Population

Presenters will discuss how they performed a community needs assessment and created a development plan to establish this program. We decided to use the Health Buddy for our private pay model. The Health Buddy is a simple, user-friendly, readily visible, telehealth communication device that allows interaction between a client and a health care provider in an individual's home. Many clients have expressed satisfaction with the knowledge that they are being monitored daily by a nurse and the convenience of the monitoring unit. Presenters will identify key lessons learned about developing and maintaining a private pay telehealth program such as identifying your appropriate service population; private pay population referrals and resources; how to sell the program as a healthy aging experience; and relationship building with clients, caregivers, and referral sources.

Objectives:

• Discuss how to develop a private pay telehealth program.
• Discuss how to deliver a health care service to both clients and caregivers.
• Identify key lessons learned about developing and maintaining a private pay telehealth program.

Faculty: Bridget Gallagher, MSN, GNP, Senior Vice President, Jewish Home & Hospital Lifecare System, New York, NY; Norma Otero, BSN, Telehealth Nurse, Jewish Home & Hospital Lifecare System, Bronx, NY;

Course Level: Intermediate; 1.8 nursing CEs (MNA Approval Pending); 1.0 CPEs (NASBA/SKA);