RESPONDING TO RECENT OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORTS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE BY PARTNERING ON STAFF EDUCATION
Beth Martin, MSN, ACNP-BC, ACHPN, HPNA President
On September 21, 2019, the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association (HPNA) presented a plenary session titled "Elder Mistreatment: Hiding in Plain Sight" during the 13th annual HPNA Clinical Practice Forum in Pittsburgh. The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association facilitated the session to educate hospice and palliative care nurses, advanced practice nurses, nursing assistants, and administrators about elder abuse and neglect.
The program was in response to two 2019 reports from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealing vulnerabilities in protections for Medicare hospice beneficiaries. The reports also made recommendations for CMS to address the vulnerabilities, including strengthening reporting requirements and ensuring that hospices are educating their staff to recognize signs of abuse, neglect, and other harm.
The OIG clearly stated, "The 12 cases of harm featured in this report do not represent the majority of hospice beneficiaries or the majority of hospice providers." However, HPNA agrees that incidents of abuse in the hospice field, although rare and isolated, are indefensible.
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association collaborated on this program with the National Center on Elder Abuse, a national resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder mistreatment, to provide timely educational resources to members, colleagues, and stakeholders. The two organizations plan to continue to work together to develop a webinar and podcast discussing recognition of elder abuse and neglect.
These efforts are closely aligned with HPNA's strategic priorities related to advocacy, partnership, and providing best-in-class education to our members.
For more information, visit the HPNA website or the following:
National Center on Elder Abuse: https://ncea.acl.gov/
OIG Reports: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/oig-details-hospice-quality-of-care-25623/
OIG Recommendations on Staff Education: https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region1/11700513.pdf
MONTHLY APRN AND RN WEBINARS NOW AVAILABLE
The Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association offers two webinars each month, one with an APRN focus and the other with an RN focus. The APRN webinars are available usually on the third Wednesday of each month, whereas the RN webinars are available on the fourth Tuesday of each month. All of the webinars will begin at 3:00 PM ET and will be listed on the event listings of our website at http://advancingexpertcare.org under "Education and Events." Past webinars are also available a few months after they are presented and can be found through HPNA University at http://advancingexpertcare.org/elearning.
SUPPORT YOUR NURSING TEAM THROUGH THE EMPLOYER PARTNER PROGRAM
Support your nursing team with the professional development and educational opportunities available through the Employer Partner Program. It is a great way to get your entire team trained quickly and efficiently. We offer volume pricing on 10 or more HPNA memberships, HPCC certification examinations, educational materials, sponsorships, and even HPNA Career Center listings. Organizations can get a single-code company access, increase their employee retention through training and education, and take advantage of strategic recruiting opportunities. For more information on our Employer Partner Program, visit http://advancingexpertcare.org/employer-partner.
EASILY CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS WITH THE ADVOCACY ACTION CENTER
The HPNA Advocacy Action Center is a resource that enables members to easily comment on and advocate for specific pieces of legislation, federal regulations, and other public policy items. Now, advocacy messages can be sent directly to your elected officials with only a few clicks. To learn more about this resource, click on the HPNA Advocacy Action Center tab in the HPNA member portal or visit our website at http://advancingexpertcare.org/action-center.
GIVE YOUR CAREER A BOOST
Have you had a chance to check out the HPNA Career Center, available by clicking "Careers" on the top right side of any HPNA web page? This interactive job board is focused on hospice and palliative care. This resource offers members an easy-to-use and highly targeted resource for career growth.
Employers can post jobs online, search for qualified candidates based on job criteria, and create an online resume agent to email qualified candidates daily. They also benefit from online reporting that provides job activity statistics. In addition to posting a resume for free, job seekers receive access to employers and jobs in the field, where they can browse and view available jobs based on their criteria and save those jobs for further review. Job seekers can also create their own search agent to provide email notifications of matching jobs.
Do not miss this unique opportunity to either advance your own career or to recruit qualified hospice and palliative care professionals. Visit the HPNA Career Center today at http://careers.advancingexpertcare.org.
HPCC EXAMINATION SCHEDULE FOR 2020
Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center announces that the 2020 computer-based testing schedule will offer four testing windows in March, June, September, and December. The testing schedule with application deadlines and instructions is posted in the Candidate Handbook, which is available at http://advancingexpertcare.org/certification.
TAKE A PRACTICE EXAMINATION IN PREPARATION FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
Practice examinations are learning tools available as Web tests on the Internet. They serve as practice tools to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of individuals who are interested in the certification and recertification process in hospice and palliative care nursing. Current practice examinations available include the following:
Hospice and Palliative Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Hospice and Palliative Registered Nurse
Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Registered Nurse (CHPPN)
Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
To learn more or to take the examination, please visit our practice examinations webpage at http://advancingexpertcare.org/practice-exams.
HPCC RECERTIFICATION THROUGH HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE ACCRUAL FOR RECERTIFICATION
HPCC certifications are valid for a 4-year period. If you are due to renew your certification, visit the HPCC website: http://advancingexpertcare.org/certification. Choose your credential to learn about recertification and your requirements and options for renewal. All Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR) submissions have a due date of 2 months before the date of expiration of certification for the standard fee. After this date, an additional fee of $100 is charged. Deadlines for 2020 recertifications are quickly approaching so be sure to review the website for requirements and fees as soon as possible.
CHANGES AND UPDATES TO HPAR
As we continue to review the feedback provided from our certificants and refine the recertification process, several additional changes have become available to the HPAR process. Two changes that allow more flexibility when you renew your credential include the following:
* Under the Scholarly Accomplishments and Professional Publications category, we will be awarding 50 points for a manuscript or project by those completing a DNP.
* Under the "Continuing Education" (CE) category, we will now require 50% of the points be obtained from the accredited organizations listed in your HPAR packet. This means up to 50% of the points can be earned from organizations outside our printed list, with approval from HPCC. All activities must enhance expertise in hospice and palliative nursing and must relate to the detailed content outline of your credential.
LIST OF FREE CE FOR CERTIFICATION
Are you looking for free or low-cost CE programs for certification renewal? Consider these lists of free and low-cost CE programs. Please note some of these offerings are time-limited and may require registration with the provider. Visit the HPAR Recertification section of the credential you are renewing to view the offerings on our website: http://advancingexpertcare.org/certification.
ONLINE RECERTIFICATION PROCESS AVAILABLE FOR ACHPN, CHPN, CHPPN, CPLC, CHPLN, AND CHPCA CERTIFICANTS
All ACHPN, CHPN, CHPPN, CPLC, CHPLN, and CHPCA certificants are now able to recertify online using Learning Builder software to file their HPAR materials. The system will outline a learning plan and serve as an online record for any HPAR points earned for renewal. Beginning in 2020, the online LearningBuilder software system will be the only method used for HPAR submission, and paper submissions will not be available.
REACTIVATION OF HPCC CREDENTIAL
The reactivation fee remains at a discounted rate of $50 ($125 savings) in 2020. This fee is paid in addition to your credential recertification fee.
Hospice and Palliative Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Hospice and Palliative Registered Nurse, CHPPN, CHPLN, CHPCA, and CPLC candidates who missed the deadline for recertification and meet the requirements for reactivation may use the HPAR process for reactivation according to individualized adjustments for dates of submission. Reactivation is available for 3 years after expiration of a credential. Candidates may not use the credential after it expires but may use it again after being notified that their certification has been reactivated. Reactivation is not retroactive, and the certification period will begin when notified and continue for 4 years from that date. Certificants interested in pursuing the reactivation process must notify HPCC by phone at 412-787-1057 or email to mailto:[email protected] of their intention to reactivate.
HPNF WALL OF TRIBUTE GROWING THROUGH YOUR GIFTS
Charitable giving in support of the HPNF ensures a strong future of hospice and palliative nursing care. The foundation provides professional development opportunities, including some of the scholarships listed hereinafter for education, conferences, and certification, as well as nursing research grants and leadership awards.
Beginning in 2019, HPNF created a way to publicize your personal tribute gift through the online "Wall of Tribute" page located under Foundation at http://advancingexpertcare.org. Those who give tribute gifts for holidays, or to honor someone throughout the year, have their names added to the tribute page. Tributes are available throughout the year and can be added to this page as you give. Remember, your gift is helping HPNF empower hospice and palliative nurses, who through compassion and skillful care are touching countless lives daily.
SCOLARSHIP AND GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
HPNF education, certification and conference scholarships, research grants, chapter education grants, and leadership awards, to name a few, are all available throughout the year for HPNA members and non-members and HPCC certificants. More than 100 opportunities are available, with many providing registration and travel stipend, and some offering rolling application deadlines. Visit http://advancingexpertcare.org/grants-scholarships for details, eligibility criteria, and more.