Articles

A Discussion with Real Time's Business Analyst, Debbie Martin, RN, RAC-CT Since 2016, when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) first issued mandates for infection prevention and control (IPC), skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have been hard at work developing strong programs to protect their vulnerable populations. Most recently, in November 2019 when Phase 3 was announced, SNFs once again were required to expand their programs – this time redefining the role of the infection preventionists (IPs). SNFs were also tasked with creating and enforcing Antibiotic Stewardship procedures/processes, increasing surveillance of infectious disease, and offering recommendations for the prevention and control...read more

The need for skilled nursing facilities (SNF) to execute infection control through real-time monitoring and reporting has always been important — but the COVID-19 crisis has amplified that need to new levels. Drill down deep into the "how" and "why" of real-time monitoring and reporting for effective infection control in the post-acute setting and learn how to use real-time data-driven technology to improve patient care and clinical outcomes, identify emerging infections days in advance, avoid government mandates, and explore what the future of infection risk control holds.

An analytics company that draws on data entered into skilled nursing facilities’ electronic medical records (EMRs) launched an infection surveillance system designed to capture signs of infection early – whether from COVID-19 or influenza – and slow outbreaks. Real Time Medical Systems, which is based in Linthicum Heights, Md., launched its DiseaseWatch data collection service in mid-June. It provides health care providers and SNFs with a centralized platform informed by EMR data. The platform is currently being used by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, an independent population health research center at the University of Washington, Real Time executive...read more

A Note to Our Readers Just one month ago Real Time planned to launch an informational piece on how to “Avoid Nursing Burnout” caused by a shortage of nurses in the acute and post-acute care communities. Our initial thought was to provide strategies focused on the use of different techniques and technologies that would alleviate challenges faced by an overworked and overwhelmed nursing workforce. Just when we thought the load carried by clinicians couldn’t get any heavier, they are now faced with an even more challenging environment due to COVID-19. So, we decided to change the direction of our blog...read more