Virtual Library A - Z Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

For Providers

Important Forms, Standards and Tools Health and Wellness Standards Forms Tools for Improving Services Other Useful Information Best Practices Guide Documentation Guidelines Disability Data Expert Panel Focus on D.C. Providers Health Care Bulletins from DDA MRSA Brochure Provider Alerts Resources for Caregivers Signs and Symptoms Thinking Ahead Trained Medication Employee (TME) Weight Management, Wellness and Nutrition Other Information

Health and Wellness Standards


District of Columbia Developmental Disabilities Administration Health and Wellness Standards
The most up-to-date forms that accompany these standards are in the Forms section below.
The standards can also be accessed at http://www.dds.dc.gov/dds/cwp/view,a,3,q,501392.asp

Forms

Behavioral Support Plan
FAST 2010 (PDF)
Functional Behavioral Assessment
Sample Incentive Point System

Consent to Obtain or Release Record Information

Health Management Care Plan
(See the updated Guidelines for Developing and Implementing the Health Management Care Plan)

Health Passport
Health Form 1
Health Form 2 Direct Observation
Health Form 3 Diagnostic Review

Psychotropic Medication Review Part 1
Psychotropic Medication Review Part 2
Psychotropic Medication Review Part 3
Self Administration Medication Review
Consent for Psychotropic Medication

Right to Refuse Protocol (See the Right to Refuse Treatment Guidelines)

Tools for Improving Services


Checklist for Coordinators & Supervisors: Psychiatric and Behavioral Problems
This checklist developed to coordinate care for individuals with intellectual disability and psychiatric or behavior problems.

Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation (SBAR) form regarding critical incidents

Transition of Care Guide
Guide to assist community support providers to facilitate safe transitions from the hospital or long term care facility to home.

Best Practices Guide

Best practice guide for creating strategies to support individuals around behavior change.

Health Care Bulletins from DDA


DDA begins its publication of Health Care Bulletins. Click here to view the November 2008 issue.

MRSA Brochure

Brochure about Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Signs and Symptoms


Series of Signs and Symptoms for Direct Care Staff

Signs and Symptoms of
"Just Not Right"
Allergic Reactions
Dysphasia (difficulty swallowing)
Seizures
Illness
Falls

• Rock hard orbit
• Cloudy cornea
• Crescent shadow on the nasal side of the iris means increased risk of glaucoma
• Red blood vessels in the iris (neovascularization from glaucoma or diabetes)
• Oval pupils
• Unilateral mydriasis
• Pupillary reflexes: absent direct response but present consensual response
• Apparent loss of temporal vessels on fundoscopic exam
• Bone white disc with normal blood vessels
• Vertically oval appearance of the disc cup
• Enlargement of the disc cup
  
  Read more about this from the article "Examining the Eyes of an Older Person";

Stroke Detection
How to detect if a person is having a stroke --
Remember the STR's of a stroke:

* S - Ask the person to SMILE;
* T - Ask the person to TALK, to speak a simple sentence, coherently; and
* R - Ask him or her to RAISE both arms.

So, if you're in the presence of someone who may be having a stroke, remember the"STR"s of stroke detection.

NCPAD Article: Congestive Heart Failure
Heart failure is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases today. Nearly five million Americans are affected by heart failure, with 550,000 new cases diagnosed each year. With the advancing age and longer life span of our population, these numbers are likely to increase drastically.

The price tag for treating heart failure will also rise in the future. The direct and indirect costs of heart failure for 2005 have been estimated at $27.9 billion. As treatment for conditions contributing to heart failure, such as heart attacks and high blood pressure improve, it is expected more individuals will be diagnosed with heart failure.

Read the entire article.

Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders in Adults with learning disabilities
DC-LD Diagnostic Criteria for psychiatric disorders intended for use with adults with moderate to profound learning disabilities.  It can also be used in conjunction with ICD-10 and DSM-IV manuals, when working with adults with mild learning disabilities. For more information, click here.

Signs of a Heart Attack or full-text PDF (88 KB)

Thinking Ahead


Thinking Ahead is a brochure on planning for end of life care for individuals with developmental disabilities

TME


Trained Medication Employee (TME) regulations & a Question and Answer sheet about TMEs

Documentation

GUIDELINES: PHYSICAL THERAPY DOCUMENTATION OF PATIENT/CLIENT MANAGEMENT

Guidelines: Physical therapy documentation of patient/client management.
American Physical Therapy Association.

Disability Data

	The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have published the 2006 Disability and Health State Chartbook: Profiles of Health for Adults with Disabilities. Click here for the report specific to the District of Columbia. For all states, click here.

Focus on D.C. Providers

	Read the interview with Wali Sehi, Director of the Excel Group, which provides in-home phlebotomy services in the DC area.
	Interview with Emma Lawler, Director of Nursing, RCM

Resources for Caregivers

	Tips for Caregivers for Individuals with Alzheimer's disease
	Prevention, Assessment and Intervention for Falls, specifically for Adults with Developmental Disabilities
	The M.E.E. (Move * Experience * Engage) Calendar! developed by occupational and physical therapists 365 fresh ideas for things to do! by Janet Thomas, Jamie Hall, Toby Long, and Rachel Brady
	SENSAtional Ideas for Adults with Developmental Disabilities Suggested activities for all the senses, arranged in a checklist format to aid in documentation! developed by occupational and physical therapists by Janet Thomas, Jamie Hall and Toby Long
	Family Care Resource Connection -- searchable database for resources
	The Comfort of Home TM : A Complete guide for Caregivers - 3rd edition 2007 by Meyer & Derr. 2007. This guide helps caregivers learn how to make the home safe, comfortable, and handle everyday activities such as toileting, bathing, and wheelchair transfers. Check it out of the library or purchase at a bookstore.
	Family Caregiving 101 - web site with assistance and information for caregivers, co-sponsored by the National Alliance for Caregiving and the National Family of Caregivers Association
	Cerebral Palsy: A Complete Guide for Caregiving, 2nd edition Alfred I. duPont Institute, Miller & Bachrack. 2006. resource for caregivers, health professionals, & adolescents and adults with cerebral palsy Check it out of the library or purchase at a bookstore.
	What Every Patient, Family, Friend and Caregiver Needs to Know about Psychiatry, 2nd edition, by Roukema. 2003. This information is written for patients and caregivers, including family, friends, and professionals. Check it out of the library or purchase at a bookstore.

Weight Management, Wellness and Nutrition

	Here are three links with current information on the importance of nutrition in primary care: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 Steps to a healthier You Center for Science in the Public Interest: nutrition policy
	Moderate Weight Gain in Women Linked to GERD, CME/CE via Medscape
	New Recommendations Regarding Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes Issued, CME/CE via Medscape
	Exercise Lowers Dementia Risk in Older Adults; "Tremendous and Fertile Area of Research" for Intellectual Disability Field, Says Expert or full-text PDF (95 KB)

Other Information

	National Council on Disability held its first 2008 quarterly public hearing, discussing emergency preparedness issues and the disability community. For details, click here.
	DDS Policy and Procedures on Emergency and Urgent Care Guardianship. For further information, please contact Neha Patel at 202-730-1787 or neha.patel@dc.gov (from DCHAdvocate newsletter, 11/16/07).
	Using Motivation Interviewing to Promote Patient Behavior Change and Enhance Health Belinda Borrelli, posted July 28, 2006 via Medscape
	It is important to schedule your clients to receive the Influenza vaccine. It is also critical that for your patients who meet age and clinical criteria, that they also receive the pneumococcal vaccine. Take a moment to register yourself on Medscape so that you can view a recent news release that emphasizes the improved survival rates in the elderly. Also, check out the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Flu vaccinations. The CDC recommends annual vaccination for the following persons: (excerpted list) Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; Persons aged >50 years; Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including asthma (hypertension is not considered a high-risk condition); Adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunodeficiency (including immunodeficiency caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus); Adults and children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions, or that can increase the risk for aspiration; Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions; Persons who live with or care for persons at high risk for influenza-related complications, including healthy household contacts and caregivers of children aged 0–59 months; and Health-care workers.
	Researchers identify a gene that contributes significantly to problems for people with Down Syndrome. *Researchers at Stanford University have discovered that one specific gene on the chromosome responsible for Down Syndrome is responsible for the cognitive impairment that results from having the Syndrome. This discovery allows for possible treatments to focus on that specific gene rather than the entire chromosome. Down syndrome is caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, giving persons born with it a total of three such chromosomes. Down syndrome is a major cause of mental retardation. Read a press release on the discovery from Stanford University Read an article on this discovery published in Neuron
	Diseases and Drugs: References and Suggested Books HTML or full-text PDF (76 KB) of this article
	AAMR F.Y.I. is a free, online monthly newsletter that keeps you informed about recent developments in the developmental disabilities community and the latest AAMR initiatives.