January 21, 2022
KHCA/KCAL is committed to providing our members with important updates. Below is a list of the most recent information. Please visit our website for a list of complete updates. www.khca.org/covid-19-resources
The Latest News
Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill to Extend Executive Orders, Providing Relief for Health Care Workers
TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2477, which extends provisions in Executive Orders 22-01 and 22-02 until January 20, 2023. HB 2477 allows staffing flexibility at health care and long-term care facilities throughout the state to address staffing shortages that continue to strain the health care system. 

“This legislation will mitigate the shortage of health care providers while we deal with the Omicron surge,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I want to thank the Legislature for their bipartisan support and swift action to get this bill to my desk. Our front-line health care workers have been overwhelmed by the highly contagious Omicron variant, and they need our support now.”  

“This legislation will not alleviate all the problems hospitals are facing. Ultimately, what will alleviate the strain on our front-line medical workers is getting yourself and your children vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines are safe, they’re free and effective, and they are the easiest way to protect yourself and your loved ones,” Governor Kelly said. 

HB2477 becomes law when published in the Kansas Register which has occurred. Click here for a link to that document.
Access to Free Temporary Nurse Aide (TNA) Course
 
Access to the Temporary Nurse Aide Course offered through AHCA/NCAL can be found by clicking here.
Governor Kelly Deploys Kansas National Guard to Assist with COVID-19 Response

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced additional efforts the State is taking to combat COVID-19. Governor Kelly deployed 80 nonmedical Soldiers and Airmen from the Kansas National Guard to support the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) testing sites across the state and assist with the shipment and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Additionally, Governor Kelly engaged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) to provide limited acute care and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds for temporary medical treatment of non-eligible VA individuals to help reduce the strain on Kansas hospitals. READ MORE
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

I hope you all were able to listen to the AHCA webinar this week about Implementing the CMS Vaccine Mandate. I know, I know, you have heard enough and now you just need the guidances to stay the same long enough to get them implemented. But I want to just review a few key points in case you haven’t heard the webinar or the recording of the webinar. The link to the webinar can be found here, and I would strongly encourage you to take the time to watch/listen to it. READ MORE
Is COVID-19 Waste Considered a Bio Hazard?
 
This question was brought up in today’s facility standards call. We have clarified with KDHE Senior Epidemiologist Justin Blanding, MPH.
 
Medical waste (trash) coming from healthcare facilities treating COVID-2019 patients is no different than waste coming from facilities without COVID-19 patients. CDC’s guidance states that management of laundry, food service utensils, and medical waste should be performed in accordance with routine procedures. There is no evidence to suggest that facility waste needs any additional disinfection. More guidance about environmental infection control is available in section 7 of CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed COVID-19 or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings.
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and your Medicaid Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Click here for more details.
COVID-19: Vaccine Access in Long-term Care Settings
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As a reminder, through enforcement discretion, CMS will allow Medicare-enrolled immunizers, including but not limited to pharmacies working with the U.S., to bill directly and get direct reimbursement from the Medicare program for vaccinating Medicare skilled nursing facility residents. Find Medicare billing and payment information. READ MORE
There’s Still Time: Recommend the Flu Shot

Click here for more details.
In Case You Missed It
Recording of Webinar: Implementing the CMS Vaccine Mandate is ready

The archived recording of Implementing the CMS Vaccine Mandate is now ready for you to view at your convenience.

  1. Click here and log in using your AHCA/NCAL username and password.
  2. Once the page opens, click on the “View Archived Recording" button on the right hand side of the page. The presentation will open in a new window for you to view and hear the program.
  3. Click on the Handout tab to download your copy of the handouts and other available materials.

For questions or support, please email educate@ahca.org
A warning if you accepted Provider Relief Funds: Prepare to be audited

Skilled nursing providers who accepted Provider Relief Funds should prepare for widespread audits by later this year.

That caution from legal experts comes as operators are busy reporting how they spent their Phase 2 funds — a process that could itself increase their chances of having Phase 1 submissions audited. READ MORE
Reminder! National Quality Award Applications Due Next Thursday, January 27

The deadline to submit all applications is by 7 p.m. CST next Thursday, January 27.

Don't wait. Continue to work on your applications in the Portal and submit early to avoid delays. 

Submit your application here!
The AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit is Back! Registration Now Open!

Quality Summit will be held in Kissimmee, FL, May 16-18.
Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality for the Centers for 
Medicare and Medicaid Services, Lee A. Fleisher, MD, is the opening keynote speaker. 

Click here for more details.
Education Spotlight
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course
2/9-2/22/2022

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRAURY 1ST!

This hybrid course is designed to provide you with everything necessary to earn a certificate as an Adult Care Home Operator in the State of Kansas. The class is based on the principles of assisted living as outlined in the KDADS regulation manual and is taught by a variety of presenters that are currently working in the field. The course will be facilitated by Joan Hudson, KCAL Clinical Consultant and Polly Berkley, VP of Operations and Education for KHCA/KCAL. This course provides knowledge and insight on the rules, regulations and responsibilities governing the operation of a state licensed only adult care home. The course fee includes a minimum of 45 hours of instruction, electronic program handout materials (to print if you wish) and a printed Operators manual which will be mailed to the address that you provide when you register.
Upcoming Education
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

2/9-2/22/2022
8 Week Webinar Series: Winning the Fall Prevention Battle

Every Wednesday Starting February 2 and Ending March 23, 2022
1:30PM - 2:30PM
Webinar: Survey Top 10 Citation Series - Survey Success! Avoiding Top Citations. #1 Top Citation: F880 Infection Control & F884 NHSN Reporting

2/1/2022 1:30PM - 2:30PM
Focus on Dementia Care (3-part webinar series)

2/10/22, 2/17/22, 2/24/22 1:00PM - 2:15PM
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Developing an Exceptional Infection Control & Prevention Program

2/15/2022 1:30PM - 2:30PM
ICD-10 Coding Workshop (in person)

3/29 - 3/30/2022
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