Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD

State Network News May 2005, Issue 54 Front Page: HOD Chair's Message Executive Director Request Updates on F-Tags AZ Legislature Passes Liability Reform Updates LTC Teaching Kits Prestigious State Honor Winner WHCoA Delegates LTC-QI Partnership Study Dodd and Patee Awards Winners JAMDA Web Site Focus on Futures Upcoming Chapter Meetings Printable Version of This Issue Attachments: A. House of Delegates Meeting Minutes B. State Presidents Working Session Meeting Minutes C. State Presidents Council Breakfast Meeting Minutes D. Sample Contract for State Chapter Executive Director

E-mail Your Articles What better way to disseminate information to other AMDA chapters than to include an article in State Network News (SNN)? If you would like to include an article in an upcoming issue, please e-mail it along with permission to reprint to Nicole Germain, Membership Coordinator, at ngermain@amda.com.

State Chapter Meetings Click here for a listing of state chapter meetings.

Congratulations to 2005 Newly Elected AMDA Leaders Alva (Buzz) Baker, MD, CMD—Vice President Janice Knebl, DO, CMD—Treasurer Luis Gonzalez, Jr., MD, CMD, FACP—Board Representative to the State Presidents Council Jeffery Kerr, DO, CMD—Board Representative to the House of Delegates

CMS Holds Open Door Forums Every month, CMS holds 14 individual Open Door Forums (ODF), convened to provide a dialogue about both the many individual service areas and beneficiary needs within CMS. The Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long-Term Care ODF addresses the concerns and issues of the Medicare SNF, the Medicaid NF, and the long term care industry generally, including the Long-Term Care Hospital PPS. To sign up to be notified of the details for listening to and participating in the typically one-hour ODFs, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoor, and click on "Registration".

Education Committee Seeks CMDs to Teach Core Curriculum The Education Committee continues to seek qualified, talented, and energetic CMDs to teach Core Curriculum programs. For details, please refer to www.amda.com/education/ facultywanted.cfm or contact Sandra Price at 410/992-3129 or sprice@amda.com.

Calling All Press Do you have a local reporter with whom you work? Do you play golf or live next door to an anchor at an area television station? Help AMDA compile a list of national, regional, and local press contacts that we can use to promote the national organization, state chapters, and the outstanding achievements of individual members. Email Susan Gutierrez at sgutierrez@amda.com with the names, media outlets, phone numbers, and/or email addresses of your press contacts.

Need A Speaker? AMDA President David Smith is available to speak at state chapter meetings or for help in organizing new chapters. Contact him at 325/641-8839 or geriatricconsult@aol.com with your requests.

Message from AMDA's House of Delegates Chair

Much important work was accomplished in the House of Delegates meeting at the 27th annual symposium, and in record time. Several important subjects were brought forth. Among them were improving surveyor education (and state chapter's relationship) using AMDA materials; better defining the role of the medical director in assisted living; and ensuring an annual reporting of past resolution status. A position paper on the role of video surveillance was approved. Our bylaws were amended to correct deficiencies in disciplinary action, which theretofore had allowed all action to stop with member resignation. And, an accounting of the status of recent resolutions was given by the Chair.

The House of Delegates meetings have become increasingly efficient the last several years due to the efforts of many individuals, including past Chairs Drs. Randy Huss and Buzz Baker. The preparation of the delegates also has been very helpful. The revised Policy Compendium will be available on the web shortly, and is a rich source of AMDA history and philosophy.

Remember, it is not too early to consider subjects for next year's meeting. State Chapter meetings will soon be upon us. The education, networking, and idea exchange that occurs is wonderful fodder for possible resolutions. If a potential resolution arises but you are not certain how to proceed, feel free to contact myself at c_crecelius@msn.com or AMDA staff for guidance. We are a grassroots organization, with our best concepts and efforts often arising from what may have seemed to be a simple thought. Don’t discount your ability to participate in the process! The annual meeting seems to happen quicker every year, and now is the time to start planning for another productive House of Delegates meeting in Dallas next March.

AMDA must stay in close contact with state chapters to be an effective organization. To improve our communications, we will be planning "Listening Post" meetings in conjunction with state chapter meetings, which will serve as regional meetings of state presidents and other interested parties. Regional interests, mutual concerns and recent national activity will be discussed. These meetings also should serve as breeding grounds for resolutions.

The new Medical Director F-Tag 501 is due any moment, and AMDA will be extremely active in assisting in its implementation. AMDA's national efforts, however, will fall short if state leaders don't show commitment to resident care via an unbiased survey process on the local level. As per our resolution, we will work with all state chapters and state survey agencies (and their association, the Association of Health Facility Survey Agencies, or AHFSA) to provide training material and speakers. Ensuring appropriate and equitable use of this regulation mandates both national and state efforts. The new Medical Director F-Tag 501 provides a golden opportunity for state chapters and AMDA to demonstrate to surveyors and providers alike the value of well-trained medical directors. Please work with your national organization in this endeavor, and contact us with any questions or concerns.

Charles A. Crecelius, MD, PhD, CMD Chair, House of Delegates

In This Issue of State Network News:

A Request from AMDA's Executive Director
Between my pre-Annual Symposium phone calls and the meetings at the annual symposium itself, I feel I've personally communicated with every state president ...

Updates on F-Tags
This June, CMS will be placing an advanced copy of the new surveyor guidance for the medical director Tag on the CMS website ...

Arizona Legislature Passes for Liability Reform
In April, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano signed into law Senate Bill 1251, entitled "Elder Provider Liability Reform," ...

Updates for AMDA's CPG LTC Teaching Kits
Updates are now available online for AMDA's Curriculum on Geriatric Clinical Practice in Long Term Care Teaching Kit ...

Brechtelsbauer Wins Prestigious State Honor
AMDA member David Brechtelsbauer, MD, CMD, recently was named 2004 South Dakota Family Doctor of the year by the South Dakota Academy of Family Physicians...

AMDA Members Selected as WHCoA Delegates
AMDA members Daniel Haimowitz, MD, CMD; Jeffery Kerr, DO, CMD; Cheryl Phillips, MD, CMD ...

AMDA Foundation LTC-QI Partnership Needs Your Help
The AMDA Foundation Long Term Care Quality Improvement Partnership Study is currently recruiting facilities to participate in a study ...

Dodd and Patee Awards Winners
James E. Lett, II, MD, CMD, received the 2005 William Dodd Founder's Award ...

JAMDA Web Site Offers New Features
The JAMDA Web site has new features for AMDA members that make searching for articles and finding information quick and easy ...

Focus on Futures
The AMDA Foundation would like our state chapter's leadership to keep in touch ...