May 19, 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
Parkinson Discusses Strategies To Help Long-Term Care Providers Move Forward Amid Pandemic Challenges

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (5/19) reports, "An unprecedented pandemic has challenged providers in almost every conceivable way," yet "providers have responded by becoming resourceful and innovative as never before." However, "the sector’s work is far from complete." In an episode of McKnight’s Podcast, American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living President and CEO Mark Parkinson discusses "new strategies that can help long-term and post-acute care professionals drive the industry forward as well as the sentiments behind them." 

While CMS has been winding down certain waivers tied to the public health emergency, the agency is noticeably silent about what could be the most impactful of the pandemic-related waivers – suspension of the three-day stay requirement. READ MORE
Office of the State Fire Marshall Prevention Training Videos

Click here to view the OSFM Prevention videos, including today’s session by PMAK’s Greg Noll and Ed Hattemer "Propane and Propane Storage."
Forget the add-on role: Here’s who really wants that infection preventionist job

SCHAUMBURG, IL. — Skilled nursing facilities should shift away from handing infection preventionist roles to floor nurses and instead recruit professionals with a background in the field to ensure their programs are successful, a leading expert said Wednesday. READ MORE

Click here to learn more on KHCA/KCAL's Infection Preventionist Scholarship
TOMORROW! Members Only Nurse Advisory Call – Friday, May 20 2022 at 10:00 AM

Please join KHCA’s Nurse Advisory Committee President, Teresa Coover on this month’s Members Only NAC Call to discuss the importance of rebuilding today for tomorrow. 

"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, it is the most adaptable to change." -Charles Darwin

Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer or mobile app
TOMORROW! Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, May 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM

Join Linda Farrar - KHCA Consultant and Polly Berkley - VP of Operations and Education as they discuss the latest SNF survey findings. 


Pre Registration is required at no cost: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4562721890201217548
In Case You Missed It
HHS To Extend COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (5/18, Brown) reports the Department of Health and Human Services plans to extend the public health emergency (PHE) declaration, leaving in place "several COVID-related waivers and flexibilities important to long-term care providers." The agency "has said it would give at least a 60-day notice before ending the public health emergency," ensuring it will remain "at least through July." McKnight’s adds that American Health Care Association President and CEO Mark Parkinson said earlier this year that his organization’s top priority is extending the PHE. In addition, the AHCA joined several health care groups in a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra last week, saying that "continuing the PHE promotes a state of readiness by ensuring hospitals, health systems, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, clinical laboratories and other providers have the ability to rapidly increase their capacity to care for patients, most effectively utilize their workforce, and pivot to caring for both COVID-19 patients and those in need of ongoing care."

McKnight’s Senior Living (5/18, Steele Gaivin) reports this will "be the 10th time the public health emergency has been extended." The extensions are granted for 90 days at a time, but a "new declaration is expected to stretch the public health emergency beyond July, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg."
There’s Something for Everyone at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo
There are so many learning opportunities at this year’s AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo. Over the course of four days, you can choose from more than 100 sessions in 20+ tracks, covering all critical aspects of long term and post-acute care. You’ll also have the chance to earn up to 14.75 CE​s. Whether you are a c-suite executive, administrator, DON (nursing supervisor), corporate staff, or an assisted living professional, there’s something for you at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo! READ MORE
Early Bird registration is open and continues through July 22. Book now and get the lowest rates possible.

2023 National Quality Award Applications Available Now

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is excited to announce that the 2023 application year is now open. For the first time, application packets are available three months earlier than previous years so that skilled nursing care centers and assisted living communities can begin to prepare. We encourage members to take advantage of this additional time to download application packets and materials and to begin planning, reviewing and gathering relevant data. READ MORE
Education Spotlight
Nurse Leadership Conference - June 14 & 15, 2022 in Manhattan, KS


This special Nurse Leadership Conference sponsored by Encore Rehabilitation is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. It’s been a while since we’ve been together in person. Let’s celebrate all that we’ve accomplished, together.

Click here for more details. Click the image to view the full brochure.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Becoming a CAA and Care Planning Maestro

5/25/22 from 1:30PM - 2:30PM
AAPACN RAC-CT Certification - In Person

Topeka, KS
6/1 - 6/3/22 from 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Nurse Leadership Conference - In Person

Manhattan, KS
6/14/2022 11AM - 6/15/2022 3:30PM
QAPI for Assisted Living - Lunch and Learn - In Person

Topeka, KS
6/17/2022 12:00PM-4:00PM
Fearless In the Face of Crisis (On Demand Education)

Fearless in the Face of Crisis is the ultimate playbook for leaders. A self-directed, online course it contains five modules, made up of short, easy-to-digest videos, that are filled with simple actions you can take immediately.

7 NAB approved CE approved

View at your convenience!
The Stability Zone (On Demand Education)

The Stability Zone is a go-at-your-own-pace, online program that is brimming with my very best stress-busting advice! Just like Fearless in the Face of Crisis, this course contains quick, easy-to-implement actions in bite-sized videos. The Stability Zone is the main course, the pièce de résistance, to get leaders full of stress-free hacks and JOY, delicious joy! One of the best parts of The Stability Zone is that leaders can share this joy by teaching their teams how to banish their stress for good too!  


6.5 NAB approved CE approved

View at your convenience!
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