5th Online Expo features major LTC topics

The enhancements keep coming with the McKnight’s Online Expo. That’s the best way to describe the fifth annual installment of the profession’s first and only virtual trade show. It begins March 23 and 24 with five sessions that will offer attendees the opportunity to earn up to five continuing education units. Then, it will continue with enhanced McKnight’s Super Tuesday programming for the next six months. Yes, six months.

And, as always, it is free to attendees. No cost to attend and no charge for the CEUs. Advance registration (which is required) is ongoing at www.mcknights.com/expo2011.

“This event has surpassed our best expectations,” said McKnight’s Editorial Director John O’Connor. “The relaxed, economical format seems to really resonate with providers. We’ve distributed thousands of CEUs, and there are still many others who attend without applying for them. The speakers and booths have been a great combination.”

Attendees can take part from wherever they’re able to power up their computer with an Internet connection. They can attend up to five hour-long sessions, one each on a hot topic of the day. A live, interactive Q&A opportunity will take place at the end of each session.

Throughout the expo, visitors can “stroll” through the online exhibit hall, clicking into personally attended vendor booths. There, they can chat live with representatives of participating companies, download white papers and request personalized meetings.

Technically speaking

Well-known long-term care attorney John Durso, author of McKnight’s “Ask the Legal Expert” column, kicks off the expo with a session on technology challenges. His session, “New technology, new legal challenges,” begins at 10 a.m. (EST) on March 23.

“There can be a lot of misconceptions out there,” Durso said. ”We’ll look at things providers must consider if they want to be safe and in compliance.”

At 11:30 a.m. (EST), wound care expert Karen-Lou Kennedy-Evans, RN, CS, FNP, will conduct the session “Managing end-of-life pressure ulcers,” which will also examine how providers can do a better job of identifying avoidable and unavoidable pressure ulcers.

“While not all pressure ulcers are preventable, it is up to us to help families deal with the issues of what to expect when pressure ulcers are unavoidable,” said Kennedy-Evans, the namesake of the Kennedy Terminal Ulcer and president of KL Kennedy LLC.

Concluding the first-day sessions will be Michael Hargrave, who will lead, “The changing capital landscape—what it means for you” at 1 p.m. (EST). The vice president of the NIC Market Area Profiles data and analysis service, Hargrave has a unique, research-backed perspective on market conditions and the ability to raise capital.

“The past few years have brought about great change for seniors housing and nursing home properties.

Occupancy rates are softer, operating margins are thinner and the financing environment has been turned upside down,” Hargrave said. “But amidst the change, it seems a new normal may be emerging.”

Payment, quality focus

Day two of the expo will kick off at 11 a.m. (EST) March 24 with McKnight’s return speaker Leah Klusch helping providers learn how they can improve reimbursements. Her session, “Leaving Medicare dollars on the table?” will include how providers have handled the transition to MDS. 3.0 over the first six months, and what they can do better.

“This will be a fast paced session for all members of the assessment and management team,” said Klusch, executive director of the Alliance Training Center. “The impact of reporting outcomes in numerous sections of the new assessment can be significant with survey and payment agencies.”

Areas to be covered include (but are not limited to) new assessment schedules, data set completion and the care planning process; Care Area Assessments and their completion; data collection interviews; timelines for data reporting; and RUG-IV changes.

Capping the expo’s second day will be Lori-Ann Griffin, RN.  She’s the supervising nurse consultant for the State of Connecticut’s Department of Public Health, Facility Licensing and Inspections Section. Connecticut was one of the first four states to use the QIS, which is gradually being rolled out to every state.

Griffin’s session “How the QIS is changing quality management” will start promptly at 1 p.m. (EST) March 24.
Although the March 23-24

sessions will be archived for repeat or first-time listening and viewing for 90 days, providers should note that only live attendees during the original broadcasts will be able to apply for CEUs under accreditation guidelines.

“This is a win-win scenario. You don’t have to leave your office, yet alone leave town, for a minute, or buy airfare or reserve a hotel room,” O’Connor observed.

That goes for the program-enhancing six “McKnight’s Super Tuesdays,” too. The  monthly programs will be held six times following the Expo kick-off. Programs will vary from expert presentations to roundtable discussions and always include plenty of Q&A for attendees.

Regulatory, reimbursement, technology and quality are just some of the topics that will be  delved into.