Preparing for the March 24 CMS LTC Survey Updates
The latest Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated guidance for long-term care (LTC) surveyors will be in effect on March 24, 2025. The focus of these updated guidelines includes enhanced quality and oversight in pharmacy services, resident rights, and infection control.
Compliance with the guidelines is essential to supporting positive resident care outcomes and operational success for care facilities. At MAC Rx, our expert team of long-term care pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and nurses is always ready to provide the best support. Keep reading below to gain more insight into how our pharmacy solutions can help support compliance and quality care throughout your facility.
Medication Management Practices
At MAC Rx, we are steadfast in our resolve to honor the sanctity of our patients’ rights. Respecting resident rights, including informed consent and the right to refuse treatment, is an essential hallmark of our core values of Respect, Integrity and commitment to quality.
In targeted partnerships with the facilities and their nursing staff, we help to ensure continued compliance with CMS guidelines. Informed consent protocols include clear communication, effective?documentation, and education on the right to refuse treatment (policy and training, engaged documentation of refusal – assurance, and consideration of alternatives based on patient’s rationale to decline).
Additionally, we support robust, active Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Programs (QAPI) and employ continued vigilance regarding various tactics, which allows us to manage our patients' medication therapies while fully respecting their rights.
We promote adherence to the latest CMS guidelines in our ongoing effort to sustain and enhance residents' quality of life. Communication, documentation, and education are three pillars that enable us and our partner facilities to advance our patients’ rights and deliver quality care.
Monitoring and Management of the Use of Psychotropic Medications?
Our patients receive multiple layers of input and assessment. Beyond the exceptional professionals already in-house, our incredible CS team of nurses, and the ever-diligent team of pharmacists, we partner with pharmacist consultants to assess medication utilization and review all therapies.
Regarding psychotropics, the consultants offer additional reports discussing the use of such medications. They provide us and the facilities with recommendations, which we aggregate and analyze. We then share this information with our clients during quarterly meetings or additional meetings as needed, highlighting trends and areas for improvement.
We Are Your Partner in Pharmacy Solutions
MAC Rx aims to be the industry's best-in-class long-term care pharmacy service provider. Our employees strive every day to care for the residents and caregivers we serve and treat them like family. We also strive to always support quality care and provide excellent resources.
For more information about our pharmacy solutions, click here.
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