Vol XLVII, Feb '12

Stop by the Foundation’s booth, and support our education and research programs; and join us at two key program sessions about quality improvement.

• A free session at Long Term Care Medicine—2012, set for Thursday, March 8, 1:30-5:00 pm will give you the skills and information you need to be a quality improvement team leader. “When Is Quality Improvement Research? A Training Program for Team QI Activities in Your NF” will help you skill-build around the concept of “team science,” including a discussion of key strategies for effective research collaboration at the facility level. The program will prepare participants to participate in QI, including choosing a QI topic, understanding and navigating the Institutional Review Board approval process, addressing challenges posed by issues around frailty and cognition in the study population. Speakers will include experienced researchers Paul Katz, MD, CMD; Christine Teigland, PhD; and Jurgis Karuza, PhD
• QI Awards and Expert Panel Discussion. Come out on Friday afternoon, 3:30-5:00 pm, for a session focusing on the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of improving quality of care in LTC. The program will feature presentations by 2011 AMDA Foundation/Pfizer Quality Improvement award winners and the 2012 QI & Health Outcome award winners. Panelists will include Paul Katz, MD, CMD; Joseph Ouslander, MD; and Sabine von Preyss-Friedman, MD, CMD. Pfizer Award winners speaking will be Tobie Olsan, PhD, MPA, RN, and Govind J. Bharwani, PhD.
• AMDA Foundation Update and QI Award Presentations. Join Foundation Chair Daniel L. Swagerty, Jr., MD, MPH, CMD, at the beginning of the Opening General Session, Friday, March 9, at 8:00 am, for an update on Foundation activities and accomplishments and presentation of the 2012 QI awards.
• Wall of Caring. The popular cornerstone of the Foundation’s fundraising efforts, the Wall presents an opportunity for donors to pay tribute to the colleagues, friends, family members, and patients who inspire their work in long term care. Visit the Wall at the Foundation booth. All contributions made through the Wall will go to support the Futures Program.
• Auction at the Wall Book Auction. Held at the Foundation booth from Thursday through Saturday, the auction will feature a wide array of popular books—many personally signed by the authors. Among the offerings: Practical Guide to Palliative Care by Daniel Swagerty, MD, MPH, CMD; Pocket Guide to Pressure Ulcers by Jeffrey Levine, MD, CMD, and Elizabeth Ayello, PhD, RN, CWON; Reichel’s Care of the Elderly: Clinical Aspects of Aging; and Open Wound: The Tragic Obsession of Dr. William Beaumont by Jason Karlawish, MD. All proceeds will go to help support Foundation programs. Bidding is expected to be heavy; so register early and check in daily on the status of your bids.
• Meet Mike. Stop by the AMDA Foundation on Friday after the Opening General Session and meet David Smith, MD, CMD, and his dog, Mike, who is a frequent visitor at nursing homes. Dr. Smith and Mike will talk about and demonstrate the benefit of dogs in long term care—not only for residents but also for family members and staff. While you are there, pick up copies of the 2012 AMDA Foundation Caring Canines calendar at a special price. If you need a sugar rush or a treat, pick up candy bars in a variety of flavors for $1 each.