New From the Medicare Learning Network
Now Available to Order! The Expanded Benefits Brochure (January 2009). This tri-fold brochure provides health care professionals with an overview of Medicare’s coverage of three preventive services: the initial preventive physical examination (IPPE), also known as the Welcome to “Medicare Physical” Exam or the “Welcome to Medicare” visit, ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms, and cardiovascular screening blood tests. To view, download and print this brochure, please go to the CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN) at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/downloads/Expanded_Benefits.pdf. To order free of charge, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/, scroll down to “Related Links Inside CMS” and select “MLN Product Ordering Page.” Read More »
Nursing jobs in the intensive care unit, emergency room and pediatrics will always be staples of the profession, but changes to the evolving health care system will also determine which nursing specialties will grow at an accelerated pace.
Read more at NurseZone.com: http://www.nursezone.com/Nursing-News-Events/more-news.aspx?ID=18834
The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission is moving towards a paperless system beginning April 1st, 2009, with a revised licensure renewal process. Nurses will continue to receive a courtesy renewal reminder card by mail 8-10 weeks before their birthday. Payment must be mailed back to the Nursing Commission recognizing that at least two weeks are needed to process the renewal. After receipt of payment, the Nursing Commission will update their “provider credential search” website for the individual nurse showing the license has been renewed. A paper license will NO LONGER automatically be mailed, unless specifically requested by the nurse. Read More »
The Nursing Commission newsletter, Winter 2009 is now available. Please go on-line to http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/Professions/Nursing/newsletter.htm A copy of the newsletter was mailed to all nurses licensed in Washington State. This newsletter is produced at no cost to the Department of Health or licensed nurses. The newsletter is produced by Publishing Concepts Inc. and they recoup all costs through the nursing related ads. The newsletter is produced twice a year, in January and July.
The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) is pleased to announce the availability of the Advanced Practice Nursing & Physician Assistants (APN/PA) web page. This dedicated web page is for Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) advanced practice nurses and physician assistants who provide services to Medicare beneficiaries.
From this web page, you will be able to access and peruse the Medicare FFS program topics in order to keep abreast of policy and operational updates specific to Advanced Practice Nurses and Physician Assistants.
One of the educational resources featured on this webpage is the “Advanced Practice Nurse/Physician Assistant Web-Based Training Program” – this interactive web-based training program provides definitions of the Advanced Practice Nursing/Physician Assistant provider types; outlines the qualifications of the Advanced Practice Nursing/Physician Assistant provider types; describes collaboration/supervision requirements for Advanced Practice Nursing/Physician Assistant Medicare reimbursements; lists the Medicare billing requirements for Advanced Practice Nursing and Physician Assistants; and identifies links to Medicare manuals and other resources.
This web page is updated on a regular basis, so check it often for timely and reliable information from MLN.
For more information, visit the web page at www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNProducts/70_APNPA.asp on the CMS website.
The Food and Drug Administration is summarizing important information relating to medical products that contain potentially contaminated heparin and is seeking assistance from healthcare facilities and providers in identifying and reporting adverse events related to these products.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/heparin-healthcare-update.html
Posted in Alerts | Tagged FDA, Heparin |
FDA Patient Safety News (PSN) is a monthly video news show for healthcare professionals. It covers significant safety alerts, recalls, new product approvals, and offers important tips on protecting patients. Read the complete stories and watch or download the video program at http://www.fda.gov/psn. You may have already received notification of some of these safety issues through the MedWatch list serve. However, many of these PSN stories contain video footage and demonstrations that may be especially useful to educators in healthcare facilities and academic institutions.
Medical errors drive hospital costs up and while many seek ways to reduce these mistakes, not all fully understand their financial effects.
A new review suggests that current statistics on medical mistakes might not be comprehensive because they do not factor in all inpatient costs or include readmissions and patient care for the 90 days following surgery.
Read full article at NurseZone.com: http://www.nursezone.com/nursing-news-events/more-news.aspx?ID=18145
Nursing professionals have talked a lot about the aging nursing workforce and the looming catastrophic shortage of nurses that will emerge as more baby boomers retire. At a New Jersey Association of Healthcare Recruiters (NJAHR) Executive Leadership Conference, on April 18 in Princeton, N.J., attendees learned the impending nursing shortage brings other equally critical concerns.
http://include.nurse.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080630/PA02/106300020
Please see the flyer for DVDs and CD-ROM containing selected special presentations from the 2007 National Magnet Conference that was held in Atlanta, GA. Additional items available at: http://www.associationarchives.com/servlet/Categories?category=Magnet