Netsmart CareThreads

Rachelle Casto, VP of Administration, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterMelanie Conforti, VP of Medication Assisted Treatment, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterChristy Majors, VP of Finance, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterMary Ward, President, McLeod Addictive Disease CenterTricia Zerger, Director of Child & Family and Developmental Services, NetsmartIn this episode, representatives from the McLeod Addictive Disease Center and Netsmart discuss where addiction treatment is now and how the use of technology can take treatment to a whole new level. While the COVID pandemic created challenges for treatment, it also provided many opportunities, creating many roads to recovery.The McLeod Addictive Disease Center has been operative throughout many areas of North Carolina since 1969, caring for up to 2800 individuals at any given time. The pandemic drastically changed the ways in which treatments were viewed. Thankfully, being deemed an essential location, the treatment centers did not close, however, Telehealth and other online treatments got created for caregivers and patients alike. Finding that many patients enjoyed and preferred Telehealth as opposed to in-person treatment, the focus became more centered on asking the patients how they themselves think they can receive the best care. During a time of fear and uncertainty, this organization embraced opportunity because of the pandemic, leading to more innovation ideas and greater success of everyone involved.Join us to hear their experiences as we discuss:Factors that have and continue to contribute to the addiction crisis in our societyThe challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemicThe advantages of technology in Telehealth and other online services and how they related to overall patient satisfaction.How the pandemic shaped their organization, bringing about great new ideas and successWhat the future looks like without having strict regulationsIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you stream your podcasts.

In this episode, we unpack the most pressing concern facing human services and post-acute organizations today: the staffing shortage. Hear how you can flip the script from the “Great Resignation” to the “Great Transformation” by using technology strategies to recruit, retain and empower staff.Listen as three industry experts, Peter Flick, VP and General Manager of Bells Netsmart; Mike Dordick, Senior VP Post-Acute Strategy, Netsmart and President, McBee; and Danielle Ross, VP and Virtual Chief Information Officer, Netsmart discuss with host Denny Morrison, Ph.D., Chief Clinical Advisor, Netsmart, how to optimize every facet of your organization, including:Workflow optimization (EHR utilization, Artificial Intelligence)System optimization (Technology usage)Personnel optimization (Operating at top of license)To hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Kevin Scalia, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, NetsmartKeith Boushee, Director of Community Strategy, NetsmartIn this episode, Kevin Scalia, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development, and Keith Boushee, Director of Community Strategy, share the importance of properly preparing to apply for funding through federal and state grants and how to efficiently use funding to help with the success of your organization.Identifying, preparing and applying for human services funding opportunities that align with your organization's goals is crucial to better serve communities. In preparing to apply for grants ahead of time, one should think about how these funds can help grow and expand the business. Find which grants best fit your organization and its strategy along with considering the sustainability of that grant, by thinking about how to keep the success of your organization after the grant goes away. Work that should be done ahead of time before applying for grants also include the consideration of working with partners, collecting letters of recommendation from other community resources and being confident that you have the bandwidth to not only complete the grant application, but have a good chance of success after submission.Join us to hear their experiences as we discuss:Strategies to determine which grants to apply for and why grants are important for the success of the organizationWhat organizations do to prepare to apply for grants and how to make your story stand outHow COVID has affected and impacted organizations across the boardWays to build your grant narrative and how to choose the best themes and key words depending on funding from SAMHSA, the FCC and the USDAIf you want to hear more episodes like this one, look for the Netsmart CareThreads podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher.

Kari Norris, Emergency Services Coordinator, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB)Brandie Williams, Deputy Executive Director, Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB)Julie Hiett, Senior Director of Population Health, NetsmartIn this episode, Kari Norris, Emergency Services Coordinator for Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) , and Brandie Williams, Director of Operations for RACSB, share their experience with creating crisis intervention teams for their area in Virginia.The 988 Implementation Act is drawing increased attention and funding support to the development of community-based crisis response systems. Because RACSB has been providing crisis management services since 2009, we spoke with them about their experiences and what other organizations can expect as they create and expand their crisis services.Join us to hear their experiences as we discuss:Developing partnerships with law enforcement agencies and the justice systemExpanding training beyond crisis responders to the entire community to remove the stigma of behavioral health issuesCreating crisis stabilization services to deter crises from happeningRegular communication with stakeholders to create strong relationships, improve processes and create memorandums of understanding for moving forwardTo hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

In this episode, Wes Williams, VP & CIO at Mental Health Center of Denver, talks about the transformation of the past two years and the rise of telehealth and how he's working to make it a compliment to mental health services rather than a complicated one — Telehealth has always been here, but the mindset is shifting. Join us as we discuss:Pressing forward through the pandemic & the rise of telehealth Acknowledging how telehealth has changed & how to anticipate for the futureWhat a human-centered lab isBlockchain, IoT, & AI in healthcareAdvice for the audience This discussion with Wes Williams was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

In this episode, Wes Williams, VP & CIO at Mental Health Center of Denver, talks about the transformation of the past two years and the rise of telehealth and how he's working to make it a complement to mental health services rather than a complicated one — Telehealth has always been here, but the mindset is shifting.  Join us as we discuss: Pressing forward through the pandemic & the rise of telehealth  Acknowledging how telehealth has changed & how to anticipate for the future What a human-centered lab is Blockchain, IoT, & AI in healthcare Advice for the audience    This discussion with Wes Williams was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.  Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

You could have the greatest software on the face of the earth, but if you don't have buy-in from people who know what they're doing, the implementation is going to fail, says Wenona Bowen-Palombi, Manager of Healthcare Informatics at Treasure Coast Hospice.  The secret sauce to a successful EHR implementation is ... people. In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Wenona Bowen-Palombi and Latessa Hinson, Vice President at Netsmart, share insider tips, pitfalls, and best practices of an EHR implementation. Join us as we discuss: Crucial first steps for providers to think about before implementing a new application How to make sure your implementation starts and stays on track Why relationships and communication are so essential Establishing post-go-live plans for continued success To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

In this episode, Mary Madison, Clinical Consultant, Long-Term/Senior Care at Briggs Healthcare, talks about MDS Coordinators and other critical roles that will help long-term care providers and reimbursement teams thrive in 2022 and beyond. Join us as we discuss: Why “challenges” and “opportunities” are often the same A detailed survey of reimbursement  Ways to support MDS and reimbursement roles How to be not just effective but extraordinary The Minimum Data Set (MDS), a standardized, comprehensive assessment of an adult's functional, medical, psychosocial, and cognitive status, is essential for everything that long-term care does today (and in the future). Everyone who works with the MDS plays a critical role in ensuring success for long-term care providers. Ongoing education and clinical support are the mechanisms that enable exceptional patient care and optimal reimbursement. This education and support keeps everyone who works with that MDS from simply filling out a questionnaire and hoping for the best. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Predictive analytics serves us in our everyday lives. When you're planning a road trip, your weather and GPS apps help you choose the safest and fastest route. It's the same with care coordination. Predictive analytics is an essential tool to help nurses deliver effective care. In this episode, we interview Amy Goldsmith, SVP of Care Management at SavaSeniorCare, about leveraging technology and analytics to improve care coordination (and many other aspects of patient care). Listen in as we discuss: How technology enables clinicians who wear so many hats Why education and training strategies make a difference How data improves care coordination and staffing The growing focus on data quality vs data quantity  To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Creating the right culture in your agency means setting the expectation that employers and employees will support each other. After all, feeling supported at work is one of the best employee experiences we can have. In this episode, Robert Love, Executive Director/Administrator at Butte Home Health & Hospice, talks with us about achievements that earned his agency a Fortune BEST Workplace in Aging Services, coming in at #5 in the country in the ‘at home' category. Join us as we discuss: -Building a culture of support -An equal focus on employee satisfaction and patient satisfaction -Curating your online and community reputation as an employer -Strategies for serving others with empathy -Initiatives for keeping the organization an exceptional place to work This discussion with Robert Love was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

There are a myriad of challenges facing the post-acute and long-term care community in the wake of the pandemic. The only way to even begin to solve these problems is to give clinicians a seat at the table and give leaders the skills they need to lead effectively. In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Dr. Michael Wasserman, Past President of the California Association of Long-Term Care Medicine (CALTCM), shares his recommendations for improving the quality and financial viability of long-term care. Join us as we discuss: -Challenges and opportunities facing clinical teams in long-term care -Why it's important to invest in a medical director -How to align clinical and operations teams on the same goals - Emerging post pandemic data sets and how they should be used -The role technology, data collection, and communication tools will play Follow Dr. Wasserman on Twitter: @WassDoc.  To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to Netsmart Care Threads on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Manual referrals, besides being inefficient, do not provide effective care. When we move to electronic transitions of care, we have a tremendous advance in referral management that provides the best outcomes for patients.   In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Dr. Holly Miller, Chief Medical Officer at MedAllies, shares the benefits of and case studies for electronic transition of care.   Join us as we discuss: -Why manual referrals underserved patients -How incentive programs provided benefits for patients and providers -Who the 360X workgroup was designed to help -Use cases for electronic transitions of care -First steps for implementing closed-loop referrals  To hear more episodes like this one, subscribe to Netsmart Care Threads on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

Despite its frequent buzzword reference today, “person-centered care” is rooted firmly and deeply in hospice care. The future of healthcare lies in replicating what hospice care is really about -- serving the whole person by an interdisciplinary team who believes in care without barriers. In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Samira Beckwith, President and CEO at Hope Healthcare , unpacks what it means and why it's so important for hospices to go back to the future. Join us as we discuss: How hospice can serve as a beacon for other areas of medicine Why we must get away from saying “end-of-life-care” What it means to go back to the future with hospice care Why Americans think death is optional The effect of value-based payment models This discussion was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don't use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Recent history has impacted many foundational elements of the behavioral health care delivery system as we know it. To make the most of the opportunities before us, we need to understand five key elements that are driving the delivery of behavioral health services. In this episode, I speak with Bob Sheehan, CEO at Co mmunity Mental Health Association of Michigan, about the complex factors influencing the behavioral health services delivery system today and in the future. Join Bob and me as we discuss these five key elements: Growth of managed care and risk management Adequate funding Integration with primary care Role of public and private sector and service delivery Changing community expectations Bonus: Bob's optimism and encouragement about the future of behavioral health services This discussion was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don't use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Law enforcement often comes in contact with individuals who need behavioral health care rather than lawful arrest or incarceration. To provide immediate and appropriate care in these situations, more communities are pairing behavioral health professionals with police officers when responding to a crisis situation. This collaboration works to reduce unnecessary incarceration and emergency department visits by connecting the individual in need to the appropriate support and resources, benefitting and protecting all who are involved. It's about the right intervention, at the right time, by the right person.  In this episode, I speak with Tim DeWeese, Director at Johnson County Mental Health, about Mobile Crisis Response to assist first responders. We'll also talk about the “Zero Reasons Why” campaign designed to disrupt youth suicide, and how community engagement can impact our culture's ongoing mental health conversation. In this episode, plan to hear: - Tim's professional passion in providing immediate access to care - Details about the co-responder program and how to start one - The youth-led campaign that has reduced youth suicide, even during the pandemic - How a positive community response about mental health should look As promised, here are the links to resources Tim described during the podcast: - Mental Health Moments - weekly emails - “Front Line Support” - an emergency crisis c ounseling initiative supporting the front-lines - #ZeroReasonsWhy Campaign - to disrupt teen suicide t hrough expanded story-telling and social media content - The Johnson County Suicide Prevention Coalition - a community coalition with nearly 500 members, r epresenting dozens of sucide prevention inittiatives - It's Okay if You're not Okay Podcast - Mindfulness and Emotion Regulation - information on anxiety and self-car e resources - Whole Healthy You (WHY) - The Mental Health Cent er joined the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) in launching the WHY campaign with the goal to capture the attention of adolescents and young adults and direct them to the State's new Youth Health Guide. - Elevate for Educators - Elevate for Educators covers seven important topics, including Mental Well-Being for Educators, Managing Mental Health Challenges, Mindful Living, Developing Coping Skills, Supporting a Friend or Loved One, Building Strengths and Motivation, and Strategies for Stress Management. - Racial Trauma - information and resources on racism and racial trauma This discussion was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don't use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for Netsmart CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

One key concept emerged from navigating the pandemic over the past year — self care. How can leaders of community providers across post-acute and human services navigate self care for themselves and their team members? In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Sonnie Linebarger, Chief Operating Officer at Bristol Hospice, talks about how caregivers can maximize their effectiveness by prioritizing self care. Sonnie's words of advice transcend all communities of care where clinicians are caring for the vulnerable in our society including mental health, addictions treatment, senior care, and home care. Specifically, Sonnie discusses: - What self care means (and doesn't mean) for caregivers - Exploding the myth that self care is selfish - How hospice leaders can model great self care for their team members This discussion with Sonnie Linebarger was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts.If you don't use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

Missed Developmental Disabilities Month in March? Don't worry – let’s continue the conversation together. Individuals with developmental disabilities often face unique barriers that can make it challenging to fully connect to their communities. In order to create a more inclusive environment for all, whether that be regarding employment, social experiences or available resources, open and consistent communication is paramount.  On a recent episode of the CareThreads podcast, Paige Rockers spoke with Sue Walker, Chief Program Officer, Hammer Residences, about the developmental disabilities community and how we can all create a more inclusive world together. Barriers to Inclusion Most barriers to inclusion are not as complex as we might imagine. But they're not easy to solve, either. Humans have an innate tendency to seek out people we feel comfortable with and have similar ways of interacting. When people appear, act or respond differently than us, we are inclined to feel uncomfortable or uncertain. This often sparks a gap that affects individuals with developmental disorders, as their interactions, needs and ways of communication are sometimes different. Individuals with developmental disorders also face challenges with employment. We want to say that people should be employed wherever they want, with whatever their skill is. But in reality, businesses face an array of challenges when it comes to hiring and supporting people with disabilities. There are financial and regulatory issues involved that most folks don't think about. People with developmental disabilities are highly capable of a wide array of employment opportunities. Employers often need to make adaptations and instill support for people with disabilities in the workplace. It's a space where we have a lot of work to do. And we can all do our part. We don't always think of everything that people with developmental disabilities might need to feel included. At a business or social event — even in a community, such as accessing a building or a resource — people with developmental disabilities may feel ostracized. Creating a More Inclusive Community The more we talk to each other, the more we learn about the barriers other people face. Through honest and genuine conversations, we can work to better understand one another, despite the differing challenges or disabilities. Communication is the easiest way to overcome barriers for people with developmental disabilities. Hammer's mission emphasizes that we're all people — just humans — and forming relationships is the most important part of the human experience. It's how we get to know, appreciate and support one another. Whether someone has a disability or not, we need to keep empathy and respect at the forefront of all of our interactions and thinking. It's important to search out all the opportunities we have for communicating with new people in order to grow as a cohesive community that welcomes all walks of life. While Developmental Disabilities Month of 2021 is in the past, that doesn’t mean the efforts, communication and collaboration should stop. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about developmental disabilities a great first step is to volunteer. Simply spending time with individuals helps break down barriers while forming understanding relationships. The more we participate with one another, without feeling uncomfortable, the more inclusive and accepting we will naturally become. This discussion with Sue Walker was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Congress passed and President Biden signed the $2 trillion American Rescue Plan Act. How will it affect your organization? In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Tom Herzog, Chief Operating Officer for Netsmart, and Kevin Scalia, EVP, Corporate Development at Netsmart Technologies, discuss this significant legislation. What's included in it? What does it provide for the human services and post-acute provider communities we serve? Here's what Tom and Kevin talked about: - Funding and grant opportunities for human services and post-acute care providers in the American Rescue Plan Act. - The impact of COVID-19 on the scale of this legislation. - How Netsmart collaborated with leading industry associations to build a common agenda to highlight the funding needs of providers who need technology as the bridge to fully integrate with other key components of the healthcare ecosystem. - Potential future legislation with levels of funding that could fundamentally change the way Netsmart clients deliver Home and Community-Based Services. - Move fast: Some providers wait too long to put together a business plan and strategy. Lots of money being allocated, it will be spent fast. Also non-traditional competitors are moving into the space. - Think big: Look beyond vertical thinking like opening new facilities…to horizontal thinking like how to leverage current service lines and expertise in new settings This discussion with Kevin Scalia was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be challenging for all healthcare organizations, especially for those who didn’t have some kind of crisis plan in place. In order to adapt and prevail through an unexpected event that could disrupt service lines, organizations need to strategize ahead of time and define their roadmap to success. In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Danielle Ross, Virtual CIO and Vice President at Netsmart, talks about discovering your path to value. Specifically, Danielle discusses: - The core foundational requirements needed to address a crisis - Management planning considerations when optimizing processes and tools - Best practice solutions to get on the right track This discussion with Danielle Ross was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts.If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

Some things — just a few — changed in 2020. Are those changes here to stay, or are we only having a moment? What does the behavioral health landscape look like post-COVID? On this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, we talked about the future of behavioral healthcare post-COVID with Dr. Ron Manderscheid, President and CEO of the National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Directors and the National Association for Rural Mental Health, and an adjunct professor in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Here's what we discussed with Ron: - “Modernizing” virtual care to engages all of a person’s providers to create a more integrated care environment - Closing the chasm between community-based and institutional care settings to create a “center” while also respecting the recovery movement - Embracing consensus-built (not top-down) data systems - Artificial intelligence systems that support the provider...help them decide more quickly on appropriate meds or interventions - Better use of good apps that are evidence-based - We have to change behavioral health training practices - The ultimate goal is recovery and the well-being of the persons we serve This discussion with Dr. Ron Manderscheid was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Every dollar lost to fraud, waste, or abuse is a life impacted negatively. Kristy Pyles, Principal at In Your Corner Consulting, LLC, joined Hannah Patterson on this episode of Netsmart CareThreads to talk about implementing electronic visit verification (EVV). Kristy designed and implemented an EVV solution which was the first in the United States to achieve CMS certification using the Outcome Based Approach. This design can help providers, states and EVV vendors avoid bumps in the road and have a positive impact on the people they serve. What we discussed with Kristy: - The challenges related to implementation of EVV - Tips and best practices for a successful EVV launch This discussion with Kristy Pyles was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Comic books have been popular with teenagers for generations. Hoping to both educate and entertain teenagers, Centerstone, a Tennessee-based behavior health provider, developed a comic book series featuring a variety of important topics. Ashleigh Hall, Grants Marketing Manager at Centerstone, joined Keith Boushee on this episode of Netsmart CareThreads to talk about how her team created a series of comic books to successfully deliver mental health messages to teens. After receiving a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHSS), Centerstone decided to lay the foundation for bringing Spark, the main character, to life. They hired illustrators who specialize in comic books to bring the series to life. Spark tackles controversial topics in the series including: - Sex messaging - Bullying - Under-age drinking - Opioid issues - Depression - Online safety Since launching the series in 2014, over 60,000 books have been distributed. By including discussion prompts at the end of each book, the books can be used in a classroom setting. Centerstone hopes to bridge the gap between parents and children as well as show these issues can affect everyone, everywhere. The series has also been popular in schools with many counselors and principals helping to distribute the comics. In partnership with Centerstone, we are giving away 50 sets of the six-book series. Go to https://pages.ntst.com/Centerstone-Podcast-LP.html and enter to receive free comic books! Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for CareThreads in your favorite podcast player.

Information blocking is all about the data – access to, exchange of, and use of electronic health information (EHI) – regardless of what technology is used. Most importantly, information blocking directly impacts your organization. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) published a Final Rule in May 202, in the 21st Century Cures Act that sets requirements related to Information Blocking. These new regulations that will significantly impact how providers like you manage consumer health information. Listen in to hear Netsmart senior vice president, Carol Reynolds and Netsmart regulatory strategist, Cheri Whalen, discuss what information blocking and the final rule mean for your organization and what you can do now to prepare for the April 5, 2021 compliance date. Key topics discussed: - Strategies to improve response times for data exchange - How to educate your consumers about accessing their data - Tips for breaking down USCDI data elements for your staff and consumers Carol Reynolds Cheri Whalen If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on . here

COVID-19 has and continues to impact healthcare across the country, especially for public sector organizations. Many leaders are taking a closer look at operations to stretch their hard-hit budgets and do more with less. According to a recent study from NRI and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, the following are just a few pandemic-related data points impacting operations… - 68% of all state mental health agencies experienced workforce shortages - Telephone encounters increased by 365% - Broadband access replaced transportation as the primary obstacle to care In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Carol Reynolds, executive strategist for public sector at Netsmart, talked with Netsmart virtual CIO Danielle Ross and vice president of revenue cycle management operations Erica Gregory. Here's what was discussed in the episode: - How recent data is shifting operations - The biggest operational challenges for public sector organizations - Top operations management advice for strategic planning and creating operational health in your organization This discussion with Carol Reynolds, Erica Gregory, and Danielle Ross was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

A federal mandate called the 21st Century Cures Act required providers to comply with electronic visit verification (EVV) by January 1, 2021. That date has come and gone, and some providers are still concerned about what EVV holds for them. In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Hannah Patterson, vice president and general manager at Netsmart, talked with Joe Marte, a client alignment executive with Netsmart. Joe spent time as a provider himself before becoming vice president for business development at TELLUS. After Netsmart acquired TELLUS, Joe brought his understanding of EVV to us. Here's what Hannah and Joe discussed on this episode: - What EVV is and who it impacts - The mandate's silver lining for providers - Why provider staff members often love the EVV mandate This discussion with Joe Marte was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

70%of healthcare consumers prefer to receive virtual services for their conditions. And 72% prefer to track their health status virtually. Despite this consumer demand, however, just 2% of healthcare providers offered 80% or more of their services virtually as of 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed care delivery, resulting in mass-adoption of telehealth. How can organizations navigate this new virtual world? In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, we spoke with Megan Gresham-Ulrich, vice president of marketing and business development, and Mark Plunkett, corporate director of information technology at Maple Knoll Communities. Here's what Megan and Mark discussed: - Why Maple Knoll chose to be a technology-first organization - How technology is revolutionizing senior care - Ways technology will change the senior care delivery experience - Supporting technological innovation through grants This discussion with Megan Gresham-Ulrich and Mark Plunkett was sampled from our show, Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts.

As hospice care services evolve because of COVID-19, how do providers adapt and pivot? Equally important, how do organizations retain and engage care team members? Ernesto Lopez, CEO at Hospice of Washington County, joined this episode of Netsmart to talk about prioritizing employee engagement and retention during a pandemic. What we discussed with Ernesto: - The role technology plays in engaging hospice care providers - How to keep hospice care providers connected to your organization’s values - The shift from facility based care to community based care This discussion with Ernesto Lopez was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

We were working on payment reform when life threw a giant curveball into post-acute care settings — and everywhere else — last March. Organizations that hadn't yet bulked up on technology struggled at first, but industry wide, we should all be giving ourselves a big pat on the back for how well we handled the changes. Now, how can organizations plan for 2021, stretch their budgets, maintain remote environments, and stay focused on our patients? In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, Jason Banks, vice president of post-acute at Netsmart, talked with Erica Gregory, vice president and general manager of revenue cycle operations. Here's what Erica and Jason discussed: - Revenue cycle and billing-related changes during COVID - How post-acute care communities can improve operations and stretch budgets - Recruiting and training billing staff in a remote-work environment - How to run financial operations smoothly while staying focused on patient care This discussion with Erica Gregory was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts. If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

Along with a pandemic and a contentious election, hospice leaders have to navigate new payment models, diversify and expand services, protect the health and safety of patients and staff, meet new regulatory challenges, and leverage technology to deliver care virtually.   How do we navigate the path forward?   In this episode of Netsmart CareThreads, we asked Edo Banach, president and CEO at National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, for his thoughts.    Here's what Edo said:   - How technology helps provision hospice and palliative care   - Why the future may lie in person-centered interdisciplinary care   - How the Medicare Advantage plan can affect patient perceptions of choice   - Ensuring that current community palliative care providers remain relevant for serious illness care at the state level   - Alternative payment structures   This discussion with Edo Banach was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts.   If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day, the Baby Boomers are about to make their mark on the post acute industry. How will they shape what the future of our industry looks like?   In this episode of NetSmart CareThreads, Doug Leidig, president and CEO of Asbury Communities, joined Jeremy Mercer, director of post acute community strategy for Netsmart.    Jeremy and Doug discussed:   - Why it's important to redefine the expectations of aging   - How technology will help redefine aging   - Why we need to reshape the post acute industry   - Managing change as the industry repositions itself for a new perspective on aging   This discussion with Doug Leidig was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts.   If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among today’s youth; therefore, we must continue to expand awareness and encourage individuals to take action. Awareness is the first step to prevention, and we all can play a role in supporting one another, preventing suicide and removing the stigma surrounding mental health.   Lisa Desai, Psy.D., director of behavioral health consulting, and Lea Karnath, senior program manager, at MindWise Innovations join Netsmart Director Keith Boushee to discuss how their organization is taking action to respond to their community’s mental health needs.   Discussions with Lisa and Lea included:   - The national rise in suicide rates for both youth and adults   - How COVID-19 may be impacting suicide rates   - MindWise's evidence-based SOS (Signs of Suicide) program for students   - How the SOS program is currently leveraging technology to virtually expand awareness amid the pandemic   - Confronting stigma surrounding suicide   - How everyone can play a role in suicide prevention   This discussion with Lisa and Lea was taken from our show Netsmart CareThreads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts.   If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

In COVID hotspots, hospitals and other health care providers quickly rose to the occasion this spring when faced with a rapid influx of new patients. Catholic Home Care & Good Shepherd Hospice on Long Island cared for more than 1,100 COVID-positive patients and 400 hospice patients who are COVID positive. They've also kept a rehospitalization rate to less than 1%. How did they do it?   Kim Kranz, president at Catholic Home Care & Good Shepherd Hospice, joined this episode of NetSmart CareThreads to talk about what's involved in taking care of patients with COVID-19.   What we discussed with Kim:   - The challenges of scaling up services rapidly during a pandemic   - Advice for home health organizations in new COVID hotspots   - How to provide solutions during a time of shortage in primary medicine   This discussion with Kim Kranz was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here.   If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

2020 looked like a banner year for long-term care until COVID struck. Very soon, it became clear that our facilities not only would fail to escape the virus, but we would become ground zero for it.    Consequently, we're experiencing a drop in census, an increase in the cost per resident, more and more burnt out staff, and a major reputational hit to our industry. In light of all this, where do we go from here?   Mark Parkinson, president & CEO at American Health Care Association, joined this episode of NetSmart to talk about COVID's impact on our current business operations.   What we discussed with Mark:   - How to prepare for the next two years   - Upcoming regulatory changes that could affect long-term care   - The potential impacts of the 2020 elections on the industry   This discussion with Mark Parkinson was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here.   If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

Isolation is tough on everyone. People are tired. Many of us feel like we're running an ultramarathon, and we have no idea where the end lies.   During this time, people who receive a six-month prognosis know they won't outlive the pandemic. That realization has led many hospice professionals to redouble their efforts.   We have vital work to do.   In this episode of NetSmart, Jason Banks, vice president of post acute care for Netsmart talks with Balu Natarajan, M.D., chief medical officer with Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care.   Jason and Balu discussed:   - How COVID has impacted the way hospice and palliative care professionals work in senior living commuities   - Ways we can improve hospice service during the pandemic   - The future of hospice and palliative care in senior living communities   - How the average person can help serve hospice staff during COVID   This discussion with Dr. Balu Natarajan was taken from our show Netsmart Care Threads. If you want to hear more episodes like this one, check us out on Apple Podcasts here.   If you don’t use Apple Podcasts, you can find every episode here.

The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) has published a final version of the 21st Century Cures Act regarding interoperability in information blocking. It includes parameters of compliance for health information technology. The ONC is also looking for provider transparency to stimulate innovation in healthcare and thus establish and enable interoperability in a much bigger fashion.  The result? Unprecedented access to data. In this episode of NetSmart, AJ Peterson, vice president and general manager of NetSmart Technologies, talks with Dr. Joe Parks, medical director for The National Council for Behavioral Health and distinguished research professor of science at Missouri Institute of Mental Health with the University of Missouri, St. Louis. What AJ and Joe discussed: How providers will manage the higher volume of data to make it meaningful The risks of patients gaining greater access to data How access to data supports the acceleration of reimbursement models How the standard of practice will change as a result of interoperability initiatives and greater access to data

Everybody has a podcast. So why not us? COVID has forced us to be creative in how we communicate, and podcasts are a great way to connect and share information. On the Netsmart CareThreads show, human services and post-acute leaders across the healthcare continuum come together to discuss industry trends, challenges, and opportunities.  In this intro episode, host Tom Herzog talks with Scott Green, senior vice president and general manager of human services at Netsmart, and Dawn Iddings, senior vice president and general manager post-acute at Netsmart, about why we're doing what we're doing on this show.    Here's what we discussed: Why we want a combined podcast and not separate ones for human services and post-acute; A day in the life of post-acute care during COVID; What new practices will remain post-COVID; ...And what you can expect from the CareThreads podcast.