DADS

News from DADS/HHSC
DADS/HHSC issues updates from time to time regarding the regulations and information needed for your facility to be in compliance. We have compliled these beginning in January 2011 and have listed on our website for you. We do our best to keep these lists current, if you notice anything missing, please call us at 512-336-1005. Thank you!!

HHS Transformation

The Forum ~ News for Nursing Facility Administrators

Information Letters

Provider Letters

State Survey and Certification Clarification

Regional Survey and Certification

Federal Survey and Certification

Texas MDS Resources

Handbook Updates

Provider Meetings

HHS Transformation
In 2015, Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) began a reorganization to produce a more efficient, effective, and responsive system. In September of 2016, the first phase of that effort became operational and a second phase occurs September 1, 2017.

Additional information is located on the HHS website.

The most visible change to Providers is the resources have moved to the new HHS website at hhs.texas.gov.

The following Facility-based Programs are now located on the new HHS website:
The following Community-based Programs are now located on the new HHS website:
The following Resources are now located on the new HHS website:

CHA Seminars is committed to assisting Long-term Care Providers in Texas. Please feel free to call us at 512-336-1005 if you are unable to locate information during the transition and we will assist you.

Regulatory Services Facility Surveyors/Liaisons

The following link will direct you to the HHS website:
https://hhs.texas.gov/doing-business-hhs/provider-portals/resources/regulatory-services-facility-surveyorsliaisons.

Facility surveyors/liaisons help improve the care for people who live in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related conditions by enhancing communication between facility and surveyor staff.

Their functions include:
  • Establishing ongoing dialogue between ombudsman, facility and industry staff to identify goals, issues and problems for which joint efforts could be beneficial in achieving improved resident care and services.
  • Meeting regularly with providers to discuss issues and concerns that pertain to regulations and survey practices, with the goal of increased understanding and consistency.
  • Meeting with providers, survey staff, and Ombudsmen to facilitate resolution of conflicts and individual situations that require additional problem-solving input.
  • Clarifying state and federal regulations for the participants.
  • Creating an environment for the sharing and discussion of best practices and promotion of all Senate Bill 1839.
  • Working closely with Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services Joint Training unit, the Long-term Care Ombudsman program, and the Quality Monitoring Program to assure efforts do not conflict but rather enhance.

    Culture Change in Texas Long-term Care

Changing the culture of nursing homes is an evolving process. It begins with viewing nursing homes as places where people live – not just places where people go to work. It also means respecting the wishes and needs of those who live there.

The DADS Culture Change Initiatives Mission is to promote and support nursing home providers as they transform from a traditional system-directed culture to one that is person-directed or centered. Culture Change is a national movement that aims to de-institutionalize the environment of nursing homes. It involves moving away from the traditional model of care towards a more person-directed model. At its heart, culture change is about changing the culture of nursing homes so that the preferences of individuals living in and working at the nursing home are both considered and respected.

Culture change is an evolving process whereby a nursing home moves from being an institution driven by tasks and schedules to a place that reflects the residents wishes and their needs. With culture change comes a new way of thinking: focusing on residents' abilities, preferences and routines to provide care that meets their needs. Facilities undergoing culture change build their care practices around residents' preferences. Daily routines are person-directed and resident-centered and all levels of staff are involved. Implementing consistent assignments helps develop strong relationships between the residents and the staff. In addition, developing relationships between residents, families and caregivers is also important.

If you have comments or questions about Culture Change, please submit them to QMP@hhsc.state.tx.us