CMSA'S Pulse eNewsletter
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November 2014 In This Issue
Special Announcement
Featured Events
Member Announcements
Featured Article
Articles and Links
Industry Events
CareerSmart Learning
University of Chicago Medical Center
Special Announcement

Launched earlier this year, CMSA’s Career & Knowledge Pathways (CKP) educational program is a contextual learning program that gives you the opportunity to learn foundational case management knowledge at your own pace. Where traditional educational programs are limited in content, structure, mode of delivery, or timing, CKP uses multiple delivery methods including video, simulations, and case studies to encourage a collaborative and flexible learning experience.

The debut CKP course, CMSA Standards of Practice: The Foundation for Professional Excellence in Coordination of Care Across the Continuum, was developed by thought leaders in case management to contribute to the basic understanding of the standards that govern your practice. Based on CMSA’s Standards of Practice for Case Management, this tool is made up of 16 modules, providing up to 72 hours of continuing education for nurses, social workers, and case management certification. The relative cost for groups of 20 or more case managers is less than one academic college course in an undergraduate program.

Learn more and start your course today at cmsa.org/ckp.
 

Don't miss access to the most cutting-edge case management information, valuable resources, and networking opportunities year-round! In honor of National Case Management Week, new members can take $30 off National membership dues when you join online through Nov. 30, 2014! Increase your knowledge, identify and address important foundational skills of the case manager by joining as a member today!

"If you're not already a member [of CMSA], take advantage of all of the resources we have for you to be successful in this wonderful specialty." - CMSA President Kathy Fraser
 
Featured Events
Thursday, Dec. 11
12 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CST
Register

Join CMSA President Kathleen Fraser to discuss current activities with CMSA and member benefit updates. Use this time to ask questions and interact with your association president on CMSA hot topics. This is a great way to stay connected to your association and understand how your association is supporting you. 

This webinar will be presented as an educational program and is pending CE approval.
 
American Sentinel University
CCMC (Comm. For CM Cert.)
Nielsen Healthcare Group
Member Announcements

National Case Management Week commenced from Oct. 12-18, a week in which we recognized and celebrated the contributions and achievements of all case/care management professionals.

CMSA President Kathy Fraser said it best: "You were born caring. You worked hard to gain the experience. With the right tools, we can change the world."

Throughout the week, case managers and organizations across the nation celebrated and shared their message on social media where:

  • Nearly 200 individuals and organizations posted on Twitter with photos and updates throughout the week.
  • National Case Management Week updates on Facebook garnered more than 3,300 views and initiated over 250 actions including shares and likes.
  • On Thursday, Oct. 16, CMSA initiated a Thunderclap—a social media posting that is shared at the same time by a community of people—that garnered an impact among 36,589 individuals across the web.
Check out more highlights and photos from the week here.

 

The CMSA awards program was established to pay special tribute to those individuals or organizations who have demonstrated distinguished service to the case management profession or association management. 

Each year several individuals, chapters and organizations are recognized at CMSA’s Annual Conference. Those awards include:

•  Case Manager of the Year (CMOY)

•  Award of Service Excellence (AOSE)

•  Chapter Excellence and Innovation Awards (CEIA)
   **New: Award of Excellence for Chapter Revitalization
   **View all categories at cmsa.org/awards

•  Case Management Research Award (CMRA)

•  Case Management Practice Improvement Award (CMPI)

Visit www.cmsa.org/awards to learn more about the awards and nominations process.

 

CMAG 2012 addresses medication and treatment adherence as defined by WHO as being one of the primary reasons for readmissions and emergency room visits. The information and tools presented in this edition serve the professional care management community as the standard by which case managers can advance assistance, coaching, and monitoring efforts with the goal of ultimately improving care delivery and patient outcomes. CMSA has made medication adherence a strategic initiative since 2004, as part of its central mission to be the trusted source of resources that support and enable the professional growth of care managers. Given the key leadership role of case managers in the provision, transfer and coordination of patient information and treatment, CMSA is invested in providing educational materials like CMAG which enable case managers to be more effective in improving care quality.

CMSA intends to continue the CMAG program as an evolving resource for case managers; to ensure its longevity, CMSA offers the digital download of CMAG 2012 at $10 for current CMSA members and $20 for nonmembers.

Learn more and access your copy at www.cmsa.org/cmag.

 
Featured Article
Pat Stricker, RN, MEd, Senior Vice President
TCS Healthcare Technologies

Last month’s column explored how the Internet is being used by nurses to find answers to healthcare questions and research new and innovative services, treatments, medications, etc. It referenced the results of the Mobile Device Internet and Social Medical Use and Habits survey that found that 94 percent of the respondents said their organization allows nurses to use the internet to provide healthcare information (48 percent encourage access, 41 percent allow occasional use, and 15 percent allow it only as a last resort).

Let’s take a look now at the other part of the survey that analyzed the use of social media sites in healthcare organizations. 

 
Healthwise
Amramp
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
Articles and Links
New policies focus on value, improve how care is provided, and increase transparency of information on quality

On Oct. 31, 2014, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released final rules outlining how Medicare will pay major healthcare providers and suppliers in 2015. Important provisions of the Affordable Care Act that reward higher quality, patient-centered care at a lower cost are being implemented by these rules. The final rules include Medicare payments to physicians and non-physician practitioners, hospital outpatient departments, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, and dialysis facilities that treat patients with end-stage renal disease.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
 

Consumers can sign up for health plans for the first time, renew or change their plans for 2015 on HealthCare.gov; more plans are available this year

Starting Nov. 15, consumers can now sign up for 2015 health insurance plans through HealthCare.gov, the call center, or in-person assistance. With more issuers offering coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace this year, the consumers will find more options for themselves and their families.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
 
Industry Events
Join the National Transitions of Care Coalition (NTOCC) and care transitions stakeholders from across the country for the 3rd Annual Transitions of Care Summit, themed "Care Transitions & The Future: Shaping Policy and Innovation," on Dec. 3 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. At this historic venue known as "The Place Where News Happens," enrich your practice with in-depth knowledge on policy, technology, and telemedicine affecting care transitions.

This year’s conference features panel discussions and keynotes by health care experts, legislative and technology leaders who are implementing policy, programs, and products to facilitate improved transitions of care. Secure your spot for the rare opportunity to interact with leaders who are developing new models of care, quality initiatives, and payment and performance measurement. The event's networking opportunities and round table discussions will seek to shape the future of care transitions.

This event is approved for 5.1 nursing contact hours.
 

Dec. 3 - 5, 2014
Orlando, FL
Register

As part of CMSA's goal to provide access to case management resources, CMSA is extending an offer from Decision Health for CMSA members to receive a discount on the 4th Annual Patient Advocate Conference. Members can access a $50 discount using code 50OFFPAC (expires 11/30/2014). 

The 4th Annual Patient Advocate Conference brings together all who advocate on behalf of patients. The event offers a forum to learn tactics and methods that bring better care, improved outcomes, and an overall better experience for those navigating our complex healthcare system.

Learn from leaders in the field of patient advocacy, and network with colleagues in your setting and from other disciplines.

The 2014 Conference, over the course of two days, features general sessions along with breakout tracks for specific disciplines, including a Managed Care track; an Independent Practice track; and a Hospital Patient Advocacy track.

CMSA President Kathleen Fraser will be speaking at this event in a session entitled, "Best Practices in Employee/Employer Advocacy Obtain Positive Outcomes for All Parties." 

 
 

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