AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

2007 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters

January 30, 2007

ADSA: NH #2007-003
NH culture change - regulatory compliance questions & answers

Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:

For a number of years there have been several movements designed to change the “culture” of nursing homes from an “institutional model” to a more home-like model. In 2005, we distributed the guidance that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided on how the federal regulations fit in with culture change efforts occurring in nursing homes.

CMS has collected regulatory questions received from culture change organizations from 2004 to date. View the responses to the questions they have received.

CMS has also begun broadcasting a 4-part series on culture change. Three of the broadcasts, produced by the Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), highlight culture change principles and outcomes. The fourth broadcast, produced by CMS, explores changes being made to medical and nursing care practices in terms of compliance and the survey process. For individual and site registration and viewing instructions go to: http://cms.internetstreaming.com

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your RCS Field Manager.

Sincerely,

Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services