July 28, 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/dailyupdates
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The Latest News
Reporting Relief: NHSN Updates Therapeutics Pathway

The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has updated the Therapeutics Pathway based on provider feedback on how to make enhancements to this module and provide some reporting relief.   
All NHSN users should have received an email detailing the modification, which includes a new check box labeled, “Did not administer any Therapeutics.” This allows users to select this option if the facility has NOT administered any of the listed therapeutics to residents during the reporting week and will auto populate the rest of the pathway.
AHCA/NCAL successfully advocated for this modification, which was made to improve the reporting process for facilities who do not administer therapeutics, thus reducing the reporting burden. READ MORE
CMS Unveils Updated Nursing Home Quality Rating System

Bloomberg Law (7/27, Subscription Publication, 4K) reports that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services "unveiled its updated Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System, which now includes data on weekend staffing rates for nurses as reported by nursing homes and also annual turnover of nurses and administrators, according to a Wednesday news release." Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, vocational nurses, and nurse aides "are included in the new information on weekend staffing and turnover." The CMS "began posting this data on Medicare’s Care Compare website in January, according to the agency."

Also reporting are Skilled Nursing News (7/27, Stulick) and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (7/28, Brown). 
In case you missed yesterday’s “Catching up on COVID” webinar with KDADS and KDHE

Click here for the handouts.
Risk Management Strategies for the DON

The word “Risk” is referenced in the CMS State Operations Manual - Appendix PP 524 times. Clearly Risk Management is a critical area of focus for the Director of Nursing and the nursing department. According to the article Clinical Areas of Liability: Risk Management Concerns in Long-Term Care in the January 2005 Annals for Long Term Care, Risk management is defined as a “facility-wide program designed to reduce preventable injuries and accidents and to minimize the financial severity of any claims”. What are the key areas that should be addressed in a successful Risk Management Program? Find out the answer to this and so much more in our upcoming Dynamic DON Series.
In Case You Missed It
Weekly Member Spotlight: Oakview Estates

Oakview Estates is a 40-bed residential health care facility located in a quiet residential community in Frontenac. They are owned by JLMS Properties, LLC and Melissa Brown is their Facility Director. 

At Oakview Estates, they believe the difference in the care and services they provide is in the hearts and hands of the loving and caring staff that is here to support their residents when they need it! On Monday, residents and staff celebrated Christmas in July. Fun, food and dancing were enjoyed by all!  
Welcome to KHCA/KCAL!
Well-Coordinated Teamwork Key To Managing Burden Of COVID-19, Nursing Home Workers Say

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (7/27, Brown) reports, "Well-coordinated efforts among colleagues was the key to successfully surviving the COVID-19 pandemic for a group [of] nursing home workers who described the first two years of the pandemic as the most stressful and exhausting period of their careers." Writing for Infection Control Today, the nursing home employees "said the first lesson of the pandemic learned was the meaning and importance of teamwork." 
Resources Available to Assist 2023 Quality Award Applicants

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has created free resources to help 2023 Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award applicants. Organizations planning to apply for a 2023 Quality Award are encouraged to begin the process by accessing the Quality Award Criteria Series and Roadmaps for each award level. READ MORE
Focus F-Tag of the Week

Each week through October, AHCA will be focusing on a particular F-tag(s) to help providers break down the Phase 2 updates and Phase 3 new guidance.
§483.45-Pharmacy Services

CMS has revised the §483.45-Pharmacy Services guidance. Changes include the following: 
  • F755-Pharmacy Services: CMS provided clarification language related to the disposal of Fentanyl patches. 
  • F757-Drug Regimen is Free from Unnecessary Drugs: CMS added language related to antibiotic stewardship and F881. 
  • F758-Free from Unnecessary Psychotropic Medications/PRN Use: CMS provided clarification of other classes of drugs not listed in the regulation and how they are affected by the psychotropic medication requirements. CMS also added language on potential misdiagnoses, such as schizophrenia, in order to prescribe antipsychotics.
 
Detailed information can be found in the Appendix PP-State Operations Manual.
The Long Term Care Survey manual, Phase 3 is now available for pre-order!

Order your copy today for October delivery.*

Phase 3 of The Long Term Care Survey manual includes all the updates from CMS' three-phase implementation.
Survey guidance for Phase 3 was released in June 2022. Surveyors will begin using this guidance on October 24, 2022. 

Save money by ordering through KHCA!

Learn more about updates to this important resource and place your order today! E-mail Jennafer Sumner with desired quantity.
Education Spotlight
Required In-Services on Demand

KHCA/KCAL offers required In-Services on demand for both Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing.
These 1 hour sessions can be accessed on our new online learning management system.

Click on our course catalog here: https://khcaeducation.com/
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Survey Top 10 Citation Series - Survey Success! #7 Top Citation: F677 ADL Care Provided for Dependent Residents

8/2/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Webinar: Dynamic DON Series: A Day in the Life of a DON

8/3/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Insightful Root Cause Analysis for the Infection Preventionist

8/16/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Person-Centered Dementia Care...From the Perspective of the Resident Lunch & Learn

8/31/2022 10AM-3PM
Olathe, KS
Dynamic DON

This 8-week webinar series runs August-September 2022 and focuses on skill building for serving effectively as the Director of Nursing with emphasis on effective leadership and staff engagement, nursing operations and systems of care for common conditions treated in the LTC setting.
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.
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