Polaris-Strategic Solutions for Health Care

Strategic Solutions





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Strategic Solutions
Publications from the Polaris Group

Instructions: To order any one of the publications below just click on the Order link below each item. Be sure to include the title of the publication in the subject line of your correspondence to ensure a rapid response.

Books:

NEW . . . Pocket size manuals for the nurse on the go!!!

Audio Tapes:
Managing New Admissions and Acute Episodes

Would you like your charting to meet Medicare requirements and provide data to help complete the MDS? Do you have trouble getting your nurses to update the care plan and chart to changes in condition?

This is for you . . . A care plan and charting system designed to streamline and improve documentation on new admits and acute episodes with procedures and formatted care plans and charting guidelines. This successful system includes an MDS-oriented Admit Assessment form, 24-hour progress note form; easy-to-use Admit Care Plan combining Medicare problems with RAPs; Bedside Care Plan with release letter; MDS Observation Flow Sheets to help complete the MDS in less time; 8 example Flow Sheets including Pain, UTI, URI, and behaviors; 24-hour report; Physician Call Board; and Alert Charting Tracking System. The foundation of this system includes 43 problem-oriented, formatted care plans with charting criteria for each problem. The 43 problems include both Medicare conditions and RAPs. The problem-oriented charting criteria integrates MDS / RAP data collection and Medicare charting requirements into one easy-to-use reference for your charge nurses. Also included are care plans and charting guidelines for 25 acute episodes. All forms are reproducible.

Understanding the RAI (MDS 2.0)
"You must know how to work the 'RAPs'".

Taming the Care Plan Monster
"Guaranteed to please Surveyors."

Care Plans Guaranteed to Past Survey! Show Surveyors How you use the RAPs to develop your care plans.

  • A Standardized Admit Care Plan with 43 pre-formatted problems integrating RAPs with Medicare diagnosis. Also, an example bedside care plan with release form.
  • A totally RAP-oriented Interdisciplinary Care Planning System with example need statements, outcomes and interventions for all 18 RAPs, plus 12 common medical conditions.
  • Easy-to-use methods to individualize need statements using MDS triggers and Key Risk Factors identified in the RAP. Develop functionally-based measurable outcomes using MDS codes. Plus, example interdisciplinary interventions for all eighteen RAPs and 12 medical conditions.
  • Shorten your Care Plan: Example care plans merging RAPs using key contributing factors from your RAPs. Language is straight off the MDS and RAPs.

Quality Improvement Program for LTC

This CQI PROGRAM includes the entire framework needed to implement CQI using Outcome Indicators. Surveyors will love it! The program includes the organizational structure for your entire program with procedures and audits for all departments and systems. Plus, there is an example spread-sheet which offers key indicators and benchmarks that demonstrates how your program is implemented. The program supports CQI process teams and is designed to monitor Key Quality Indicators for Quality of Care, Quality of Life, Infections, Occurrences, Medical Records, Maintenance and Pharmacy. Absolutely the most user-friendly comprehensive program on the market! All forms are reproducible.

Behavior Symptom Enhancement System.

Everything you need to comply with OBRA regulations regarding Behavior Management and Psychotropic Drug Use. Example assessment tools, charting guidelines, care plans, target Behavior tracking forms, and Pain Assessment tool and flow sheet. Procedures outlining the steps needed to implement a comprehensive program.

Physical Restraints.

One of the most frequent citations in the nation is the assessment, care planning and reduction of physical restraints. Starting with an admit assessment form, this manual includes: charting guidelines, restraint assessment forms, consent forms, example RAPs; and procedures for assessment, reduction, and care planning physical restraints and side rails. Procedures include a post-fall assessment tool and an Incident Report form to help reduce initial use of restraints or side rails as a restraint.

Restorative Services Continuum.

Recognize and promote the highest level of functioning with assessment protocols, charting guidelines, and care plan formats for maintenance, restorative and rehab services. Includes forms for Assessment, task segmentation and contracture assessment. Complete with forms for restorative aides. Everything you need to get started.

Pain Management.

The new MDS 2.0 requires an accurate pain assessment. You need procedures to monitor and assess pain, including a Pain Flow Sheet and a Pain Assessment Tool in preparation for a Pain RAP. Learn methods to assess pain for your demented and aphasic residents. Understand how to rule-out pain before the use of a psychotropic drug. Example care plans for pain and terminal care.

NEW . . . Pocket size manuals for the nurse on the go ! ! !

Chart Smart:

Do you want to help your nurses chart to the important issues? Would you like your charting on New Admits to meet Medicare requirements and include data to help complete the MDS? Do you struggle with change in condition care plans and charting? This manual is for you! Charting Guidelines for 43 problems, integrating Medicare reimbursement charting requirements with MDS/RAP problem-oriented charting guidelines to achieve better charting on new admits. You can have the data you need to complete the MDS and RAPs and standardize charting for all your nurses. Also, included are example Admit Care Plan problems. Bonus: Example Care Plans and Charting Guidelines for 25 acute episodes to improve Alert Charting.

Escape the RAP Trap:

Our very popular RAP training and charting guidelines for each RAP from "Understanding the RAI" are now available in an easy-to-use pocket size manual. You must know how to "Work the RAPs" and then "How to use the RAPs" to develop an individualized plan of care. Includes example RAPs. This books helps you succeed.

Taming The Care Plan Monster:

Ease-to-Use Care plans guaranteed to pass survey. A RAP-oriented interdisciplinary care plan system. Example problem statements, goals and interventions for all 18 RAPs, plus 12 common medical problems. Ideal for Long Term residents. Language straight off the MDS and RAPs.

AUDIO TAPES

Nursing Survey Preparation:

Understand the survey process. Learn how to identify and focus improvement efforts on the right residents and the right systems. Be prepared and you will achieve compliance!

Taming The Care Plan Monster:

Great complement to any audio library. Marty describes how to develop a RAP-generated, individualized care plan. Learn an easy method to write individualized problem statements, measurable outcomes and interventions. Discuss how team members can shorten the overall care plan. Her methods are simple and surveyors love it. Great for the whole team!

Managing New Admissions and Acute Episodes:

Would you like to decrease admission paper-work? This session focuses on methods for integrating all your documentation systems to save time and stress. Starting with the admit assessment and care plan through completion of the initial MDS and RAPs. Marty also discusses desk operations and methods to improve communications across shifts.

Managed Care Fundamentals:

Whether you are just beginning managed care relationships or are knee-deep in managed care admits, this session is packed with usable information to help you understand, prepare for, and survive managed care. Marty's four years managing the Medical Services Department for a large Commercial and Medicare HMO gives her a working knowledge that can help you succeed.

Understanding The RAI:

This is the perfect tape for the newcomer to the RAI (MDS and RAPs). Marty reviews how the entire process works! First, how to complete the MDS; dates, signatures and triggers. She explains how to "Work The RAP" and makes specific suggestions for charting RAP summaries. Everything you need to understand this complex process.

Supervisory Skills for Nurses:

Learn how to combine your supervisory role with your daily tasks. Define performance needs and provide feedback daily. Learn "The Golden Rules" for communication to help you feel less like a policeperson and more like a coach. Learn how to delegate. Define performance indicators and learn a variety of methods to provide feedback to individuals and teams.

Continuous Quality Improvement in LTC:

This tape has everything you need to know to implement an effective CQI program. Learn how to define and track Key Quality Indicators. Understand how to use benchmarks. Learn easy methods to identify opportunities for process improvement and techniques to implement effective teams. Learn how to use flow charts and score cards to change staff behaviors. Everything you need from Committee structure to front-line involvement.