As our members know, WiHPCA is committed to finding ways to strengthen the relationship between hospice and palliative care professionals and key government policymakers that impact our industry through regulation or legislation. As part of that effort, WiHPCA has established quarterly meetings with the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The purpose of the quarterly meetings is to review and discuss survey deficiencies, examine avenues for improvement, and maintain a strong, ongoing dialogue between our members and DQA.

The first meeting, which was held virtually on March 11, was a great success and well attended by both WiHPCA members and DQA employees. Following an opening statement by WiHPCA Legislative Committee Chair Rita Hagen and the introduction of DQA officials, the meeting started with a presentation – per our request – on the required organizational background checks due in 2021. DQA also directed attendees to the following memo (DQA Memo 21-02) regarding four-year renewals of organizational background checks.

In addition, DQA officials answered the following questions that WiHPCA sent to the agency prior to the meeting:

• Please update WiHPCA on the status of COVID-19 testing efforts in long-term care and assisted living facilities and any expected changes to testing plans moving forward – both in the short and long-term.
• • DQA reported there are no anticipated changes to testing plans.
  • Nursing Homes – See Memo QSO-20-38-NH
  • Assisted Living – See GovDelivery Message HERE
• What is the status of COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Surveys and what plans, if any are there for future audits? In addition, can DQA share the current findings of the surveys?
• • QSO Memo – With Focused Infection Control Tool – See QSO-21-08-NLTC
  • Disease Reporting Requirements at DHS 145.04(1)(c)
  • Bureau of Communicable Diseases Memo 2020-17
  • DQA provided an overview of recent complaint investigations and outcomes, as well as trends regarding the types of recently filed complaints. 
• Please share the Division’s thoughts on the potential need and benefits of convening a small taskforce to review and update the Hospice and Facility Interface document, which the state and HOPE last updated in 2012. 
• • P-00252 – Hospice-Nursing Home Interface
  • According to DQA, this effort would require the involvement of several bureaus within the agency, making a review and update of the Interface document difficult. However, they are open to the possibility in the future.

Our next quarterly DQA meeting is scheduled for June. If you have any questions about the March 11 DQA meeting or upcoming meetings, please contact the WiHPCA office.