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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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TOMORROW! Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, December 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Join us on Friday as we discuss the latest SNF survey findings.
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 239 456 007 087
Passcode: NPDR3h
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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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Member Spotlight: Advena Living of Bonner Springs, Bonner Springs
Advena Living of Bonner Springs is a 45-bed skilled nursing community in Bonner Springs, KS. They are owned by Advena Group and Katie Wilcox is their Administrator.
Advena is the Latin word for newcomer. The company is built on welcoming newcomers to their communities and creating a culture that means “home” to them. Every resident is encouraged to maintain those special daily pleasures, rituals and traditions that make them who they are and bring them joy.
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Lots of things happening at Advena Living of Bonner Springs:
Zola celebrating her 104th Birthday.
Michelle spending time with her grandmother, who moved in last month.
Residents and staff volunteering out in the community.
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HRSA Begins Provider Relief Fund Repayment Notification
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) began transmitting emails to providers who, based on Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Period 1 submissions, will be receiving a Repayment Request Notice via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). In guidance to AHCA/NCAL, HRSA noted:
- Initial notification will come in the form of an alert email to the PRF listed contact(s). The email will not contain the payment specific information included in the Repayment Request Notice.
- Following the email alert, providers will receive, via the USPS, a hard copy letter containing the Repayment Request Notice. The notice will include a Repayment Request Notification ID Number, amount to be repaid and information on HRSA’s Decision Review process (see below).
- Providers who receive an alert email but do not receive a hard copy letter within a week of the alert email should contact the HRSA Provider Support Center at 1-844-968-4207.
- If you have not received an alert email, you should not receive a letter.
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As with other HRSA emails, be sure to check spam filters and email addresses to make sure the alert email is not in a spam folder.
- Providers should not return funds to HRSA until they have conducted their own due diligence on returning funds and should use the Decision Review process as needed. Once funds have been returned, if they were returned in error, HRSA does not have a mechanism to reissue those dollars.
- If a provider does have repayment due, such payments must be returned to HRSA 60 days from the date of the Repayment Notification Letter rather than the email alert date.
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Biden Administration Weighing Federal Minimum Staffing Mandate For Nursing Homes
Health Care Facilities Today (12/14) reports that "in a statement released by" AHCA/NCAL, "the Biden administration is considering a federal minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes, which would impose staffing ratios that would be impossible for providers to meet considering the current labor shortage and lack of government funding." AHCA Quality, Regulatory & Clinical Services Senior Vice President Holly Harmon, RN, said, "A federal staffing mandate without the necessary workforce available and full funding would have negative consequences for nursing home residents. ... Policymakers should once again recognize that implementing a one-size-fits-all requirement is not the solution and instead prioritize resources and develop programs to rebuild the nursing home workforce. Lawmakers must invest in long term caregivers to ensure America’s seniors have access to customized care delivered by trained, devoted professionals."
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Provider lobbyists and lawmakers speed up pleas for help with physician fee cuts
With a looming Friday deadline to keep the government funded, time is running out for Congress to prevent or abate Medicare physician’s fee cuts proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Pressure to adopt a continuing resolution instead of hammering out a final 2023 budget could leave key solutions for physicians, therapists and others who work in nursing home’s on the table.
And those solutions could be harder to come by and implement after Jan. 1. READ MORE
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Hit these 3 targets to avoid respiratory outbreaks, U.S. COVID czar tells nursing homes
With two difficult seasons behind them, nursing homes have an opportunity to have “a very different winter,” said White House COVID lead Ashish Jha, MD, at an AHCA/NCAL webinar. 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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