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Are you aware that facilities are fined for overage in medicaid days allocation. The problem that facilities are having is estimation for these days due to change in status from Medicare to Medicaid; Private to Medicaid etc. Should a resident's level of care status not change from skilled then they are unable to obtain Medicare coverage after a change in condition, i.e., tube feeding residents.
Facilities only have a few options for discharge from the facility such as not paying financially, unable to meet their needs, a threat to themselves or others; however, discharge from the facility must be to a safe environment. If family will not accept than where would be a safe environment?
Facilities should not be punished or fined just because we make all efforts to care for our residents. I understand that the state can only afford to pay for a certain quantity of days but if the bottom line is less than the Congressional number than we should not be made to pay back funds to the state.
Facilities needs help to correct this as our fine is around $54,000.00. This can help purchase or pay for much needed items within our facility.

Glendale Wisconsin, August 10, 2009- The NAWC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the winners of the third annual WCC® Achievement Awards and Scholarship. The awards and scholarship will be personally presented to the winners at this year’s (WOW) Wild on Wounds Conference being held at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas September 10-12th.

“The accomplishments of each winner clearly illustrate the passion for wound care our fine group of WCCs share. We especially acknowledge each and every nominee and thank everyone who submitted nominations for this year’s awards,” said Debbie Hecker, RN, MBA, WCC, Executive Director of the NAWC.


The OUTSTANDING WCC OF THE YEAR award for 2009 went to Shane Pilkington, LOTR, CLT, WCC.
Shane is a long time employee with the Dubuis Health System in Shreveport, Louisiana, working in the Outpatient Wound Care Clinic and the Acute Care Hospital for over 10 years. He was nominated by his co-worker, Mary Turley, LPN, WCC. Shane has a great deal of knowledge in wound care and is always willing to share his expertise and experience with co-workers, patients and their families. The Dubuis Health System sees the “worst of the worst” according to Mary Turley; even physicians from neighboring facilities bring their cases to Dubuis because of Shane.
Shane has a special gentle touch that most individuals do not have. He is very compassionate for the patient’s well being and needs. He takes the time to visit with each patient and their family to ensure the patient’s pain is under control, help them understand what is involved with their care plan and keep the patient updated with their progress during each visit. “Shane never gives up on a patient or a wound,” says Turley. Education is very important to Shane, as he is always working to improve his knowledge in wound care through seminars, books and articles.

The OUTSTANDING RESEARCH IN WOUND CARE award for 2009 went to Anne Blevins, BSN, RN, WCC, WOCN.
Anne has been involved in wound care research for the last 3 years. She was nominated by LuAnn Reed, MSN, CRRN, WCC. Anne is a clinical nurse specialist at the Drake Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. According to the Drake Center CEO, Karen Bankston, “As an organization we, the Drake Center, are writing the standards of care…with Anne’s research, we are writing the standards of wound care.”
Anne has authored and co-authored numerous clinical, poster and case studies which have been published in recent issues of wound care journals as well as presented at several wound care conferences, including WOW. The list of some of her research includes:
• A presentation titled, Fistula Management from A-Z
• A research study on Incontinence Dermatitis in a LTACH
• A co-authored article titled, Options in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
• A poster study titled, Fistula Management using a pouch and NPWT
• A case study titled, A Comparison of Two Collagen Dressings Used on Two Pressure Ulcers on the Same Patient.
• An upcoming seminar on “Wound Management Strategies”
Anne also assists others at her wound care center with development of their own abstracts for poster submission. She serves as a preceptor for students and new hires where she introduces them to the various studies completed by the Advanced Wound Care Program at the Drake Center. Anne does all this while she is working on obtaining additional wound care certifications, as well as assisting in the opening of a new division of a new wound care program at the Drake Center.

The OUTSTANDING WORK IN DIABETIC WOUNDS award for 2009 went to Catherine Jackson, RN, BSN, WCC.
Catherine was nominated by Rita Riskus, RN, Director of Nursing at the MacNeal Health Network in Berwyn, IL. Catherine has a great deal of experience in diabetic foot ulcer care and is currently in graduate school.
In 2008, Catherine developed a community foot screening and education program, where more than 300 people were screened, given one-on-one assistance and small group prevention education. This program was a result of a needs assessment of more than 100 diabetic individuals who were enrolled in MacNeal's Diabetic Education Program.
In 2009, shortly after the MacNeal Health Network Wound Care Center opened, Catherine developed a self-care foot program for diabetics. Working with diabetic educators, endocrinologists, and primary care physicians, patients are now seen, free of charge, by Catherine for a minimum of three visits. The foot care program includes a comprehensive foot assessment using The American Diabetes Association® guidelines, an instruction guide using a patient-centered booklet created by Catherine and follow up as necessary. This program has enabled persons with Type I and Type II diabetes to practice good self-care foot techniques. As a result, the program has prevented at least five amputations. By adding self foot care into a comprehensive diabetic program, individuals now experience a holistic treatment plan which not only saves health care dollars, but also allows for a sustained high quality of life for those struggling with the chronic disease.
Last year, Catherine presented a poster study at Northwestern University, titled, The Effects of Versiva XC on Venous Ulcer Patients.

The WCC® Scholarship for 2009 was awarded to Rebecca Thompson, RN.
Rebecca has been employed with the Heartland Home Care Agency in Oskaloosa, Iowa for three (3) years. She was nominated by Sherri J. Strasko, RN, WCC. While working full-time as an LPN, she also attended classes full-time for her RN. Rebecca recently passed the RN board examination, and her future plans include working toward her BSN. Rebecca has consistently shown a strong desire to be involved in wound care cases, and wants to further her education in advanced wound care and become a WCC. According to Ms. Strasko, Rebecca would be an excellent mentor or educator for other nurses because of her great enthusiasm.

Contact Information:
Debbie Hecker, RN, MBA, WCC
Executive Director
National Alliance of Wound Care
Toll Free: 1-877-WCC-NAWC ext 704 / 1-877-922-6292 ext 704
Fax: 1-800-352-8339
edirector@nawccb.org

so three have died in so ca-a sad loss of life-money and mania abound-suicide-16 took place in a 24 hr period-in so ca-Feds cut services for them-

Are seniors online today? Well, that's sort of true. According to the latest Pew study, ages 64-72 and ages 73+ are the only two age groups in which internet use lags the percentage of the population. To contrast: GenY (18-32) represents 26% of the population, but 30% of the total Internet use. The two senior groups, however, each comprise 9% of the population, but represent 7% and 4% of internet use. Forty-five percent of those aged 70-75 are now online, up from 26% three years ago. And 27% of age 76+ compared to 17% three years ago.

Reverse the perspective -- most are not. Flipping the Pew Research numbers around, 55% of seniors age 70-75 and 73% of those 76+ are not online. And some of the increase in usage, of course, is derived from individuals taking their connectivity into the next group as they age.

Some great resources for swine flu protection and prevention for facilities

Politico.com reports that the planned retirement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter will spark a new political war between Democrats and Republicans.

Mexican toddler dies in Houston hospital from swine flu