Last week we sent out an Information Alert about KDADS contracting with Healthcare Management Solutions (HMS) to work on the backlog of nursing home surveys. The contract goes through the end of the year. HMS will complete 3-4 surveys per week. KDADS’ new Commissioner of Survey, Certification and Credentialing, Brad Fischer, shared this message to pass along to you:
We have received a question from some providers in regard to what surveys HMS will be doing and what surveys our surveyor’s will be doing. Specifically we were asked if HMS would be doing recertification surveys only and KDADS complaints only. HMS will be doing recertification surveys and any complaints attached to that survey. We are assigning them their schedule. KDADS surveyors are also doing recertification surveys with the attached complaints, as well as the complaint surveys and re-visits. …The State Fire Marshal will continue doing their surveys per their schedule. That process should not be affected.
I will do my best to keep you in the loop with any questions we are receiving from Providers and any new information as it pertains to the survey process. Thank you for your assistance and for the services you and your Providers perform for Residents.
Commissioner Fischer also asked us to collect and forward feedback from our members who are surveyed by HMS. We will not provide any identifying information unless you tell us it is OK. He is interested in learning how they presented themselves when they entered your building? What was their demeanor (professional, courteous, other) throughout the process? How did the process go (smoothly, other)? And any other observation you have. Please send your comments to Rachel.
If you have an immediate need to report a problem with HMS contact Commissioner Fischer. (Please cc your emails Rachel so we can track issues and patterns. Thanks!)
