December 9, 2022
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The Latest News
CDC Vaccine Webinar: Clinical Guidance and Patient Education for Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines

The CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, December 13 at12:00 p.m. Central. 

The webinar will cover:
  • Updates on bivalent vaccines, including the most recent vaccine effectiveness data.
  • The CDC's clinical guidance for bivalent vaccines.
  • Strategies for communicating with patients about COVID-19 vaccination.

For those unable to attend, the live COCA Call, the recording will be available for viewing on the COCA Call webpage a few hours after the live event ends. 

The slide set will be available on the day of the call on the COCA Call webpage under Call Materials.
Free Continuing Education (CE) will be offered for this COCA Call as well.
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

Have you checked your Community Transmission Rate lately for COVID transmission? There are only 2 counties in the state at low transmission rates, very few at moderate rates, and almost all at substantial or high. Here we go again… There is no way to over-estimate the importance of residents and staff receiving the newest bivalent vaccine boosters. On the CMS Stakeholder call yesterday, it was discussed that our rates are low. KFMC is reporting that the Biden Administration is promoting a 6 week “blitz” to increase both resident & staff vaccinations with the boosters. CMS recommended getting with your pharmacy and/or county health department to hold clinics. Facilities are also expected to be promoting the boosters and/or the initial series if that is appropriate.

CMS also suggested and promoted having a stock of the accepted therapeutics on hand or available from your pharmacy for quick accessibility. They are very effective in reducing the long term effects of COVID.

The CMS website reports the following information: READ MORE
Attention to those involved in the CARE Process
 
The Client Assistance Referral and Evaluation (CARE) Team at KDADS is announcing their new upload tool, the CARE Upload Tool. It is a new web-based tool to upload and share admission information safely and securely with KDADS CARE Team. To gain access to this tool for uploading admission information, complete the short survey, link found here. This survey provides the information necessary (email and phone number are required) for our IT staff to set up access to the upload tool. It does ask for a KOTA ID number, if you are not aware of this number, please leave it blank and proceed with the survey. 
 
Training for the Tool will be provided on December 14th at 2:00 pm and will be recorded for future reference. Contact information received in the survey will be used as the mailing list for the invitation to the training and distribution of the user guide. This information will be sent out a prior to the training. In the meantime, please share the survey with the people at your organization that will need access to the upload tool (multiple people at each facility is encouraged). KDADS anticipates ending the use of emailed or faxed documentation by January 31, 2023 and only use the CARE Upload Tool.
In Case You Missed It
Expert Offers Suggestions To Reduce Risk Of Tech-Induced Minimum Data Set Errors

American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing Curriculum Development Specialist Jessie McGill says in Provider Magazine (12/8, 151K) that while it is "a great resource, technology should never replace the clinical decision-making of a licensed nurse or interdisciplinary team (IDT) member." According to McGill, "the resident assessment instrument (RAI) process is complex and case-specific; it requires professional expertise to navigate appropriately." She writes, "While technology mishaps can affect anyone, the nurse assessment coordinator (NAC) and the IDT members responsible for coding the minimum data set (MDS) are particularly vulnerable." McGill says that by validating autofill data and using "clinical decision-making when considering MDS coding suggestions," IDT and NAC "members can reduce the risk of technology-induced errors." 
REMINDER! HCBS Final Settings Rule Public Comments Notification - Nov. 29 - Dec. 29, 2022

The time to comment on the HCBS final Settings Rule is here! Comments will be accepted through December 29, 2022. READ MORE
Complete AHCA/NCAL’s State of the Industry Survey 

AHCA/NCAL is asking providers (SNF, AL, ID/DD) to complete a 10-minute survey to gauge how the industry is faring in 2022. Providers will be asked about a few topics, including COVID-19, workforce, and finances. 

You may download a copy of the questionnaire if you wish to gather the necessary information before filling it out online. 

Your participation will help AHCA/NCAL advocate for resources and common-sense policies for the profession. Please complete the survey by the end of the day on Wednesday, December 14.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Astute Survey Preparedness & Application of Infection Control Regulatory Requirements

12/20/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.10 Resident Rights Requirements

Save 20% by signing up for this 12 month series by registering here.

1/10/2023 1:30PM-3:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Overview and Health Inspection Domain

1/18/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Department Details for the DON

Save 20% by signing up for this 12 month series by registering here.

1/24/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Staffing Rating

1/25/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

2/15/2023 9am 2/28/2023 3pm

Click here for more details.
Looking for options for required Staff In-Service?

KHCA’s online learning platform is BACK! We’ve loaded the in-services for SNF and for AL first. Many more education sessions to come.

Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
Mark Your Calendar for these 2023 Dates!
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833