July Newsletter
Enhancing Nutritional Value with Fortified Foods
In long term care we are often focused on helping our residents consume adequate nutrients to maintain weight and nutritional status. This article reviews nutrition interventions to boost calories, protein and other nutrients for those who cannot get enough nutrition from their daily diet.
Start fortifying foods now!
CMS Survey and Certification Letter May 29, 2009
This memorandum clarifies the intent of Tag F 371 “Procure food from approved sources” related to foods accepted by residents from visitors, family, friends, or other guests; and Residents’ right to choose to accept those foods under F 242 Self Determination and Participation.
Review the memorandum
H1N1 Virus Outbreak a Pandemic
The World Health Organization raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 on June 11, 2009, indicating that a global pandemic is underway. More than 70 countries are now reporting cases of H1N1 flu. Many of the cases reportedly had links to travel or were localized outbreaks.
Visit the CMS Pandemic Flu webpage
Vitamin D — New Perspectives in Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Practice
If the most you remember about vitamin D is that it’s necessary 
for adequate calcium absorption and bone health, think again. If you assume that few patients are vitamin D deficient because the body stores it, think again. If you believe that the amount of vitamin D provided in your malnourished patients’ standard parenteral nutrition (PN) or enteral nutrition (EN) prescription is enough for optimal health, read on.
Review this May 2009 Today’s Dietitian article
New Reports Show Weak Progress on Health Quality
For the sixth year in a row, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has produced the National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR) and the National Healthcare Dispariities Report (NHDR). These reports measure trends in effectiveness of care, patient safety, timeliness of care, patient centeredenss, and efficiency of care. The reports present, in chart form, the latest available findings on quality of and access to health care.
AHRQ’s 2008 National Healthcare Quality & Disparities Reports
Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction in Nursing Homes
My InnerView released results of a 2008 Survey of 5,075 nursing facilities in the US to assess Consumer and Workforce Satisfaction. 85% of consumers report their satisfaction as either “excellent” or “good,” while 66% of care staff say their facility is an “excellent” or “good” place to work.
View the entire report
More News Stories on our Top News Page
1. Fracture Risk Following Bariatric Surgery
Mayo Clinic researchers are reporting that persons who undergo bariatric surgery may have a greater chance of experiencing broken bones.
Review the press release
Watch a video summarizing the study results
2. Older People Taking More Risks with Food Safety
People over the age of 60 are more likely than younger people to take risks with 'use by' dates for eating food.
More information from Medical News Today 6-16-09
3. Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD)
The PFCD is a national, bipartisan coalition committed to raising awareness of the policies and practices that improve health and reduce health costs.
Learn more about PFCD
4. New Guidelines: Pharmacological Management of Persistent Pain in Older Persons
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) guidelines recommend Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) be considered as the initial and ongoing pharmacotherapy in the treatment of persistent pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain.
Read the AGS guidelines
5. Four Simple Habits Add 14 Years to Life
Want to live longer? A new study shows just how powerful four simple healthy habits can be in warding off the Grim Reaper.
Live longer by following these four habits
From Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter
6. Are you Getting Enough? Nutrients that is.
Studies show that 77% of men don't take in enough magnesium, and that many of us are deficient in vitamin D.
Improve your nutritional status
From Men’s Health 6-19-09
7. Red Wine Ingredient Demonstrates Significant Health Benefits
Low to moderate drinking - especially of red wine - appears to reduce causes of mortality, while too much drinking causes multiple organ damage.
From Medical News Today 6-14-09
8. Want to Stop Cancer? You Can, Experts Say
Experts believe people who have genes that predispose them to certain types of cancer might be able to reduce their risk by living a healthy lifestyle.
Learn 3 steps you can take to improve health and reduce risk
From Health Day News 6-3-09
An Inspiration for All of Us
Here is an amazing story about Hazel McCallion, the 88 year old mayor of Mississauga (a suburb of Toronto, Ontario, Canada) for 31 years who has won 11 consecutive elections. This is how I want to be at 88!
Check out this fun and inspirational video!
Teleseminar/Webinar:
Let's Do Lunch! How to Implement Creative Person Centered Dining Programs
Speaker: Becky Dorner, RD, LD
July 23 at 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET
Becky will discuss the wonderful options person-centered dining provides, share an abundance of new and creative ideas, and discuss how you can implement positive change to keep up with the demands of a changing clientele.
Sign up now!
Super Summer Savings!
Unbeatable member prices!
Diet Instructions- Sale price $134.95
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Policy & Procedure Manual-
Sale price $149.95
Hot! Hot! Hot!
Upcoming Teleseminars
Economical CEUs!
July 23- Let's Do Lunch! How to Implement Creative Person-Centered Dining Programs
Becky Dorner, RD, LD
Aug 11- Why Customer Service is Essential to You
Kim Hofmann, RD, LD
Sept 16- Diabetes Roadmap Part 1: Plotting the Course
Sept 30- Diabetes RoadmapPart 2: Driving the Distance & Staying the Course
Lisa Brown, RD, LD, CDE & Kim Fox RD, LD, CDE
Oct 1- MDS 2.0 for Dietary Professionals
Leah Klusch, RN, BSN
Oct 27- Don’t Tell Me--Coach! How to use the coach approach to manage, motivate, empower, and inspire staff, residents/patients, and peers
Jean Caton, MS, MBA, RD
Nov 10- Positive Attitude: The Key to Success in Tough Economic Times
Nov 17- Personal Effectiveness: How to Achieve a Competitive Advantage During Tough Times
Wolfe Rinke, PhD, CSP
Dec. 1- When Momma Ain’t Happy
Diana Waugh, RN
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