The Pioneer Network, a leader in the effort to transform the culture of aging, has announced that it will sponsor a webinar series in partnership with AASHA and AHCA to help providers understand and prepare for the new CMS interpretive guidelines related to quality of life and the environment.

The new guidelines to nursing home surveyors are intended to provide more explicit support for person-centered care that supports the individual choice and dignity. Some of the areas that the new guidelines cover include providing residents’ choices regarding when to get up, go to bed, eat, and bathe; allowing 24-hour visitation; creating homelike environments, reducing noise; and improving lighting.

PHI has been asked to participate in the series because of its organizational expertise in helping providers to deliver person-centered care. Through its Training and Organizational Development services, PHI supports organizational leaders to develop the skills needed to lead the change process and works with staff at all levels to strengthen their communication, problem-solving and relationship-building skills.

As reported by PHI, on April 10, CMS issued its new interpretive guidelines for state surveyors that detail information on how to assess nursing home compliance with OBRA 1987 regulations, which cover issues related to physical environment, resident rights, and resident health and safety. The new guidelines are scheduled to go into effect on June 17.

The Pioneer Network’s webinar series will take place in June and will include two 90-minute sessions.

The series will feature Karen Schoeneman, MPA, Deputy Director of the CMS Division of Nursing Homes and the person who developed, wrote, and will oversee the enforcement of these new guidelines.

The Pioneer Network indicates in their press release that Schoeneman “will provide participants with the background, intent and implications of the new guidelines” and “will be joined by Debra Swinton-Spears, MS, Nurse Consultant with CMS Division of Nursing Homes, who authored the food procurement revisions.”

Sue Misiorski

Also presenting will be Sue Misiorski, BSN, PHI’s Director of Organizational Culture Change. Sue is a registered nurse and a past president of the Pioneer Network, and is the author of the Network’s handbook on how to implement culture change, Getting Started: A pioneering approach to culture change in long-term care organizations.

Misiorski says, “The webinars will give providers a better sense of how CMS will be interpreting the quality of life regulations going forward. This information is used by surveyors to determine compliance during nursing home inspections. The webinars also offer an opportunity for those who are not familiar with ‘culture change’ to learn more about what person-centered care is really about and how to make some of the suggested changes.”