Conference Spotlight: AMDA

The American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) is holding its 2013 Long Term Care Medicine conference March 21 through March 24 near Washington, DC at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD; 301-965-2000; www.gaylordnational.com).

Attendees to the AMDA 2013 Long Term Care Medicine conference will be exposed to the latest clinical development in geriatric medicine, learn the best practices in medical management and direction, be updated on policies and regulations, translate research into practice, and be exposed to practical tools to help implement news ideas and projects in their own practice setting.

Key Speakers

Both the opening and closing keynote addresses provide important information on the current trends and policies affecting the long-term care setting, as well as projections for the future of healthcare.

Thomas Scully, JD, will present the opening keynote address, “New Waves in US Healthcare,” during the first general session on March 22 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Scully will provide up-to-date insights on current Medicare policies and repercussions. A strong proponent of Medicare, Scully was involved in designing Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D. He will also give an analysis of the future of Medicare and Medicaid, providing his opinion on where these healthcare programs are headed.

The closing keynote address, “Health Reform for When We Are Frail and Old,” will be given by Joanne Lynn, MD, MA, MS, on March 24 from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Dr. Lynn offers a provocative yet plausible vision for healthcare reform that focuses on the continuity and efficiency for patients in their last phase of life. Issues discussed in Dr. Lynn’s address include, the role of the medical directors, community action, monitoring and measurement, emphasizing work force issues, and more.

Workshops and Educational Sessions

A number of informative and educational sessions are available throughout the conference. Below is a sampling of some of the workshops and sessions that will be presented during the conference, but be sure to check out the full schedule online at https://ltcmedicine.com/sessions/.

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for March 21
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Policy Update on Transitions of Care and the Accountable Care Act
Success through Relationships: A Workshop on Initiating Joint Quality Committees

1:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Latest Approaches to Difficult Medical Issues in Long Term Care
Improving Care by Reducing Avoidable Hospitalizations: Implementing the INTERACT Program in Your Facility

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for March 22
8:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Keynote Address—New Waves in US Healthcare

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

“Is it Worth it?”: Utilizing an 8-Step Tool for Successful Decision-Making in Long Term Care
Oral Health Care in Long Term Care: Not Just a Tool Kit but a Link to Quality Healthcare
Alternative to Nursing Home When Long Term Supports and Services are not Enough: Medical Foster Home

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Long Term Care Litigation: The Roles and Responsibilities of a Consulting Expert
Creating a Person-Center Care Plan for the Nursing Home Resident with Multi-Morbidity: A Case-Based Interactive Session
The 2013 Approach to Diabetes in Long Term Care

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

This Year in Review for Long Term Care
Making Long Term Care Fun to Learn: Active Teaching Strategies to Achieve Competence
National Initiatives for Infection Prevention in Nursing Homes

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for March 23
8:00 AM – 10:30 AM

General Session:

-AMDA’s Top Policy Issues 2013
-Quality Improvement Initiatives and Tools
-Health Information Technology (HIT) for the Long Term Care Setting
-Update on Development of Competencies for Attending Physicians in the Nursing Home
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Pressure Ulcers in Long Term Care: A Case-Based Approach
Effective Communication with Residents and Families: The Daily Challenge of the Long Term Care Health Professional
The Certified Medical Director (CMD) and Quality

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Another Patient with Parkinson’s Disease? A Comprehensive Approach to Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinsonism
Geriatric Clinical Thinking
Facility Crisis! Practical Techniques for Success in the Midst of Conflict

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Geriatric Pain and Palliative Medicine Pearls
C. difficile: Clinical Dilemma, Probiotics, and Antibiotics
Guidelines for Podiatric Services in Long Term Care Facilities

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for March 24
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM

Red Eye Rounds: Medical Direction Challenges

8:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Closing Keynote Addresses

Special Events

Featured Product Theaters
In addition to the educational sessions and workshops offered, a variety of product theaters are scheduled during the conference.

Some featured product theaters taking place include Xenazine® (Tetrabenazine) for the Treatment of Chorea Associated with Huntington’s Disease and Access to Xenazine® (Tetrabenazine) for Residents in LTC Facilities, sponsored by Lundbeck and Advances in the Treatment of Inappropriate Crying or Laughing, sponsored by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Below is the complete product theater schedule. Check the product theater Web site (https://ltcmedicine.com/producttheater-schedule/) for any updates or changes to the schedule.

Product Theaters Scheduled for March 21
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM

Developments in the Management of Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Advances in the Treatment of Inappropriate Crying or Laughing

Sponsored by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Product Theaters Scheduled for March 22
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Optimizing Pain Therapy Outcomes in Long Term Care for the Healthcare Professional

Sponsored by ENDO Pharmaceuticals Inc.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Reducing the Risk of Ischemic Stroke While Weighing the Risk of Intracranial Bleeding in Patients with Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation

Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM

Xenazine® (Tetrabenazine) for the Treatment of Chorea Associated with Huntington’s Disease and Access to Xenazine® (Tetrabenazine) for Residents in LTC Facilities

Sponsored by Lundbeck

Insulin Treatment Options: Alternatives to Sliding Scale Insulin

Sponsored by Novo Nordisk

Product Theaters Scheduled for March 23
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM

Cross-contamination Risks Associated with Point-of-Care Testing in Long Term Care Settings and Best Practices for Prevention, Risk, Reduction, and Patient Safety

Sponsored by Abbott Diabetes Care

This section has been partially sponsored by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., makers of Nuedexta. For more information, visit Booth 200 at AMDA.

Dining Around National Harbor

Dining Opportunities—All Within Walking Distance
The dining options both within the Gaylord National complex as well as just beyond its doors, will give you plenty of options when asking the time-honored question, what’s for dinner?

The signature restaurant of the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Old Hickory Steakhouse & Lounge offers its guests a top-notch dining experience. Of course at a steakhouse of this caliber, the meats are the stars of the menu. The Cowboy Ribeye is touted as the most flavorful cut of meat offered. You should note that the Old Hickory is just one of several great dining opportunities at the Gaylord. You can also find lighter fare and more laid back atmospheres at the other eateries in the Gaylord National, including National Pastime Bar & Grill, Pienza Restaurant, and Java Coast Fine Coffees.

Looking to get out of the Gaylord National to grab a bite to eat? What makes a trip to National Harbor so delightful is that there are so many options all just steps away from your home base hotel. Right across the street you’ll find Graces Mandarin (188 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD; 301-839-3788; www.gracesrestaurants.com/mandarin.html), an Asian restaurant that has plenty of style. Their modern Asian menu has an American flare and plenty of exciting items to choose from. The Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a favorite and the Crab Rangoon is an adventure in flavors. The Tempura Sampler is naughty but very nice, and the Lobster Wonton is indulgent.

No collection of restaurants would be complete without a solid offering of Italian cuisine. National Harbor steps up to the challenge by offering its visitors Bond 45 (149 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD; 301-839-1445; www.bond45.com). Direct from the renown Bond 45 in Times Square New York comes this National Harbor version ready to satisfy even the most discerning Italian food critics. The portions are huge and flavorful. In fact, you may want to consider opting for the share-a-plate charge.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the breakfast buffet, you may want to consider Ketchup (152 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD; 301-749-7099). This quirky little eatery is, of course, named in homage to America's favorite condiment and sets the tone for the fun atmosphere you’ll experience as its patron. The décor overflows with a pop culture vibe and the artwork that decorates the tables and walls is Lichtenstein-esque. Although this restaurant offers very hip lunch and dinner menus, what most visitors don't realize is that it’s opened for breakfast as well.

Just a short walk from the Gaylord National, this colorful restaurant helps to add a little variety to your breakfast options. If you would like to try something with a little Maryland flare, be sure to order the Maryland omelet with savory crabmeat, tomatoes, and old bay and remoulade sauce. And, what breakfast would be complete without a side of pancakes? The ones served here taste homemade and are light and fluffy without being spongy. For those who have calories to burn during their busy day, indulge in the Cinnamon Roll French Toast.

Your Stay at the Gaylord National and Washington, DC

All That the Gaylord National & Washington, DC Have to Offer
The Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center (201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD; 301-965-2000; www.gaylordnational.com) is quite a venue of distinction. The massive Gaylord National serves as the convention host, offering great hotel accommodations, dining opportunities, and things to do in your downtime.

The atrium is really something to behold. With 19 stories of glass soaring over your head, you really do feel as though you’re outside, but the elements are no longer a factor. Catch some great views of the Potomac River through the atrium glass while lounging at the Belvedere Lobby Bar. Its location in the center-of-it-all makes it the perfect place to meet up with friends or relax after a day of sessions. The drink menu is small but potent with some wicked mixed drink options and an accessible wine list and beer sampling.

If you’re looking to keep active while away from home, the Gaylord’s Fitness Center boasts the most sophisticated fitness equipment available, including cardio equipment outfitted with personal televisions. The gym is only available to hotel guests and is conveniently open 24 hours a day. Breaking free from the gym is also an option, as there are plenty of walking, biking, and jogging paths that have their start on hotel grounds and then extend beyond the hotel. You may not think swimming would be an exercise option in the chilly month of March, but the Gaylord National offers year round swimming at their luxuriously appointed indoor swimming facility. This Junior Olympic-sized, 24-meter lap pool offers a resort-like atmosphere with beautiful views of the Potomac River.

Every weary convention traveler could use a spa experience, and Relâche, the spa at the Gaylord National, will not only meet your basic spa needs but will go above and beyond. Every detail of the Relâche Spa & Salon is carefully planned with your needs in mind. The spa is dominated by black and white marble and white walls and spaces, emphasizing a modern, minimalist atmosphere that lets you focus on your relaxation rather than design distraction.

And, because you’re so close to the nation’s capital (it’s literally within sight from the Gaylord National!) you’ll want to carve out some time to visit this historic city.

No trip to DC is complete without exploring the monuments and the Smithsonian Museums. The National Mall (900 Ohio Drive SW; 202-426-6841; www.nps.gov/nama/) is one of the most beautiful and historic places in DC, as it stretches about 2.5 miles from the Capitol building on one end to the Lincoln Memorial (Lincoln Memorial Circle SW; 202-485-9880) at the other.

Make sure to visit the Tidal Basin, along its banks line the famous Cherry Blossom trees and 3 memorials worth visiting: the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial and the newest honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And, these monuments are even more magical at night. There are many tour services that will take you all over historic DC, including DC Tours (888-878-9870; www.dctours.us) and All Washington DC Tours (702-749-5720; www.allwashingtondctours.com). Visit each Web site for more detailed tour descriptions.

The Smithsonian (www.si.edu), the world’s largest museum and research complex, is comprised of 19 museums, as well as the National Zoo. Visit the Web site to see which museum best suits your interest!

In addition to sightseeing tours and opportunities, another great way to see the monuments is from the P.O.V. Roof Terrace and Lounge (515 15th Street NW; 202-661-2400), the bar on the rooftop of the W Hotel. The P.O.V. Lounge has a great view, delicious drinks, and tapas style food. Reservations are encouraged, and keep in mind that after 10:00 PM, this lounge becomes a nightclub.

Another establishment with excellent views and food, J&G Steakhouse (515 15th Street NW; 202-661-2440; www.jgsteakhousewashingtondc.com) is located on the first floor of the W Hotel. Rated as one of the top 100 restaurants in DC, this restaurant offers top cuts of meat and fresh seafood. The dishes here aren’t just tasty, but they’re beautifully prepared as well.