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The Passing of Marty Hegarty
It's with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of Marty Hegarty, who passed away on December 13, 2022. She was a true icon in our industry and will be missed. READ MORE
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
Since F700 Bedrails is showing up in survey data, perhaps a review of the regulation is in order. READ MORE
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Payroll Based Journal Reports
On today’s facility standards call, 2023 KHCA VP of Facility Standards Cynthia Pendleton referred to a resource that members might find helpful during a PBJ audit. That resource is included here. Click here
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Entering the Winter Season, How Many Nursing Facility Residents and Staff are Up to Date with Their COVID-19 Vaccines?
Kansas Department of Health and Environment has heard some concerns from one of their hospital partners about several LTCFs that refused to accept residents after a hospital stay who were still testing positive for COVID-19 but no longer needing acute care. KDHE wanted to share some guidance (attached) from the CDC related to this in case facilities have questions or need some support from their HAI program.
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White House reveals winter COVID-19 plans, more free tests
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is once more making some free COVID-19 tests available to all U.S. households as it releases its contingency plans with coronavirus cases ticking upward this winter.
After a three-month hiatus, the administration is making four rapid virus tests available per household through covidtests.gov starting Thursday. COVID-19 cases have shown a marked increase after the Thanksgiving holiday, and further increases are projected from indoor gathering and travel around Christmas and New Year’s. READ MORE
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Biden Administration Announces Winter Preparedness Plan
The Biden Administration announced a COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan. The plan expands access to testing, vaccines and treatments, preparing for the impact of variants, cases and hospitalizations in local communities, and protecting the most-high risk Americans, including residents of nursing homes and other congregate living facilities. Strategies identified that impact the LTC community include:
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Releasing a winter playbook for nursing homes and LTC facilities. The playbook will summarize actions facilities can take to reduce serious illness, prevent hospitalizations and deaths, and minimize disruptions. This will focus on increasing vaccinations, ensuring timely use of treatments and improving indoor air quality.
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Expanding the pool of providers that may administer the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result of advocacy by AHCA/NCAL, CDC is updating the pharmacy provider agreements to allow nursing home staff to administer the vaccine. HHS is also working with states and QIO’s to help facilitate vaccine clinics.
- Reaching out to governors on how nursing homes in their state are doing with resident vaccination rates.
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Encouraging hospitals to vaccinate patients before discharge. As a result of advocacy by AHCA/NCAL, Secretary Beccerra has called on the hospitals to vaccinate patients prior to discharge to LTC settings.
This is part of the Biden Administration’s focus on reducing the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses this winter season.
It is recommended to also view an AHCA webinar with Dr. Jha and several AHCA experts who discuss three steps to address respiratory viruses this winter, available on ahcancalED.
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Census and ability to admit new residents
Please take a moment to answer 7 short questions regarding your census and ability to admit new residents. This information is very important for our on-going lobbying efforts. Questions? Contact Linda MowBray
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Gran Villas of Atchison Recognizing Heros
Gran Villas of Atchison had a hero awards ceremony for their operator and resident care manager on December 4th. These two-woman put their lives in danger without thinking when a visitor went through the wall of a resident's room with her sitting inches away from the car while the lady continued to accelerate. Her back bumper was hooked on the outside air conditioner unit that kept her going forward. With no hesitation, no concern for their own safety (which was compromised) there only thought was to get the resident out of the room and help the lady who was driving the car to safety. The police department from Atchison joined in the presentation.
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Updated recommendations regarding the management of persons with influenza
Influenza viruses circulate annually in the United States from late fall through early spring. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that influenza results in between 13 million to 27 million illnesses; 120,000 to 260,000 hospitalizations; and 7,300 to 21,000 deaths annually. The burden of influenza disease can vary widely depending on the type of circulating influenza viruses, the length of the season, the effectiveness of the seasonal vaccine, and the number of persons vaccinated.
Kansas regulations only require health care providers to report pediatric influenza deaths and novel influenza A infections. Health care providers are not required to report other cases of influenza to KDHE. Instead, influenza activity is measured through seven components: the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet), syndromic surveillance (ESSENCE), laboratory surveillance, respiratory panel testing, influenza-associated hospitalizations, outbreaks, and pneumonia and influenza mortality. READ MORE
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Nursing Homes Look To Boost COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake Among Residents, Staff As Cases And Hospitalizations Rise
The Hill (12/15, Weixel, 5.69M) reports, "COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are on the rise, posing a major threat to nursing home residents and staff who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations." According to federal data, "less than half of all nursing home residents and less than a quarter of staff have received a bivalent booster shot." The article adds, "Industry groups are calling on the White House to help with an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ strategy, but they are not asking for an updated mandate." Specifically, "they want the administration to update its messaging about what the bivalent booster can do, and what it can’t." American Health Care Association Chief Medical Officer David Gifford, MD, MPH, said, "I think there’s some confusion and misunderstanding about the value of the vaccine. Early on we talked about it preventing infections, and so [residents] are seeing breakthroughs [infections] and have questions about whether its really working."
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Operating pressures, clinical add-ons bringing more small providers to value-based models
Skilled nursing experts are urging more small and possibly reluctant providers to begin embracing value-based care arrangements. The pressure to improve clinical outcomes and a coming wholesale shift of seniors to more accountable payment models may be the factors that push more to take the leap. READ MORE
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MDS Workshop
This workshop has been specifically created for MDS Coordinators that have been in the MDS position for less than 5 years. It is also recommend for Administrators to attend to further understand the MDS process. This program also serves as a refresher for those who want to brush up to make sure they are up to date on the most current information. Seating is limited. Register early to assure you have a seat. Registration Includes: Two full days of in person training (Feb 7-8 in Olathe) AND two full days of Virtual Training (March 1 and March 8).
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Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Astute Survey Preparedness & Application of Infection Control Regulatory Requirements
12/20/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.10 Resident Rights Requirements
1/10/2023 1:30PM-3:00PM
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Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Overview and Health Inspection Domain
1/18/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Department Details for the DON
1/24/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Staffing Rating
1/25/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
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MDS Workshop
Feb 7-8 in Olathe AND two full days of Virtual Training March 1 and March 8.
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Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course
2/15/2023 9am 2/28/2023 3pm
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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.
Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
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Mark Your Calendar for these 2023 Dates! |
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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
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