In this week's LTC Connection, we're taking a look at a proposed CMS plan for helping to prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud. On a much lighter note, we also wanted to introduce you to the products that have been named this year's top "Nana technologies." Last but not least, have you taken a look at ProMed's Compliance® Blood Glucose System? It's a virtually pain-free testing option for the diabetics in your facility.

You've heard of nanotechnology, but how about "Nana technology"? It's a term that George Mason University professor Andrew Carle coined in 2004 to describe the growing industry of microchip-based products for seniors. Carle, the director of GMU's Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration, releases an annual list of the best new "Nana technology" products for older adults. There are four products on this year's list. 1. GlowCaps Designed to replace the caps on standard prescription bottles, these caps contain an embedded microchip that provides light and sound reminders to seniors to take their medications. If the cap is not removed, an automated phone call to a family member or caregiver is triggered. The cap can also generate weekly email reports and notify a pharmacy when a refill is needed. Click here to learn more about GlowCaps. 2. Wellcore The Wellcore activity monitor looks like a stylish pedometer and is designed to remove the stigma of wearing a "granny pendant." It offers fall detection technology, 24/7 call center assistance and daily activity reports for wearers or caregivers. It can also be combined with compatible cell phones to offer access to services outside the home. To learn more about Wellcore, click here. 3. DriveSharp DriveSharp is a computer-based program that consists of exercises designed to sharpen attention and peripheral vision. Users click through the 20-minute exercises three to five days per week. In studies, DriveSharp demonstrated a 50 percent reduction in crash risk, 200 percent increase in field of vision and a 22-foot reduction in stopping distance. To learn more about DriveSharp, click here. 4. ActiveONE Personal Assistance Locator The Personal Assistance Locator, or PAL, was dubbed "OnStar for people" by Professor Carle. It's a cell phone-sized device that provides 24/7 live operator assistance. Available services include emergency assistance, falls detection, medication reminders, directions and placing calls to family members. It also includes GPS tracking and "geo-fencing" capabilities that send an alert if the user wanders outside of a programmed distance from the house or other location. To learn more about the PAL, click here. To view our original blog entry on Nana technologies, click here. CMS is proposing a program that would require medical providers and suppliers to undergo stricter screening if they want to participate or enroll in Medicare and Medicaid. Under the plan, suppliers and providers would be assessed for their risk of fraud, waste and abuse. They would then be placed into one of three risk groups: limited risk, moderate risk and high risk. Each group would have to meet different criteria for enrollment and participation, with high-risk applicants being subject to more rigorous evaluation that would include criminal background checks and fingerprinting in addition to other Medicare and Medicaid requirements. The goal of the program is to help prevent fraud before it happens and to shift CMS to a fraud prevention model rather than a "pay-and-chase" enforcement model. To learn more, click here. To view our original blog post on the proposed stricter Medicare/Medicaid screenings, click here. ProMed's Compliance® Blood Glucose System was designed with your residents in mind. It provides virtually pain-free testing with speedy results from a small sample size. The accompanying test strips utilize patented cap-gap technology to wick blood into the strip without the need for a hanging drop of blood. Additional features: MicroLance PF™ lancets minimize finger-stick pain and tissue damage Saves staff time and reduces labor costs by providing accurate results within 7 seconds Hassle-free, all-in-one system has internal calibration controls that eliminate coding If you're a registered user on promedsupply.com, you can view items in this category by clicking on Online Catalog and then selecting Skin Care Management. If you're not registered on the site yet, your ProMed Customer Care Professional will be happy to get you set up.