Get ready for the upcoming CMS updates -- and caught up on the latest news and upcoming events -- with the new Quality Digest!
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New Resources to Prepare for Upcoming SOM Updates

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued significant revisions to its long-term care surveyor guidance, scheduled to take effect on March 24, 2025. PharMerica hosted a recent webinar, 2025 Updates to State Operations Manual Signify Impending CMS Surveyor Focus, and has developed several accompanying resources to help facilities understand and prepare for the upcoming changes. 

WATCH the Webinar Recording >
READ the Webinar Q&A >

While the SOM revisions address a wide range of issues, they place particular emphasis on unnecessary medications, chemical restraints, and the appropriate use of psychotropics. Our new article, part 1 of a 4-part series, spotlights these changes.

READ the Follow-Up Article >

F605 (Free from Chemical Restraints) is one F-tag featuring extensive revisions, including the incorporation of regulations previously cited under the now removed F758 (Free from Unnecessary Psychotropic Meds/PRN Use). These changes are detailed in our new Compliance Cue.

READ the Compliance Cue >
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Did You Know? Medications with Shortened Expiration Dates

Once certain products are opened and in use, they must be used within a specific timeframe to avoid reduced stability, sterility, and potentially reduced efficacy. This abridged list, newly updated, covers some common medications whose package inserts detail shortened expirations once in use.

LEARN MORE >

GEMTESA® (vibegron) Receives New FDA Indication for Treatment of Men with OAB Symptoms Receiving Treatment for BPH

The FDA has approved GEMTESA® (vibegron), a beta-3 (β3) adrenergic receptor agonist, for the treatment of men with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms who are receiving pharmacological therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This approval marks GEMTESA as the first and only β3 agonist approved to treat patients living with OAB and being treated for BPH. 

LEARN MORE >
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Success Strategies to Manage Newly Activated Quality Measures & Survey Changes

Tuesday, March 25

1:00 PM ET

 

This session will focus on the new data items currently being used to create the provider specific Quality Measure reports. The newly recalculated Quality Measure reports (IQIES) can impact 5-Star Levels, Value Based Purchasing Calculations, and Quality Reporting Program reports. Join us for a candid review of the new processes and strategies for successful implementation.

REGISTER NOW >
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The Pain Points of Pain Management: Navigating Opioid Use Regulations in Long-Term Care 

Tuesday, April 8

1:00 PM ET

 

This session addresses Opioid Stewardship as a means to improve pain management outcomes and opioid use in the LTC environment. Recent CMS updates to the State Operations Manual include revisions to opioid-related regulations, suggesting continued surveyor focus on this area. We'll explore ways to align your facility’s approach to opioid prescribing, monitoring, and pain management with contemporary guidelines.

REGISTER NOW >
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