October 11, 2023

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The Latest News

Office of the State Fire Marshal answers common questions from the Joint Provider training Click here for more details.

AHCA/NCAL Member Webinar on CMS Minimum Staffing Proposal: How to Address 3.48 HPRD in Comments In the CMS minimum staffing proposed rule, CMS requests comments on an alternative total nurse staffing standard of 3.48 hours per resident day (HPRD). We appreciate members who have already submitted comments to CMS about the proposed rule, but we are asking for your help again to weigh in on this 3.48 HPRD alternative, specifically. AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on Friday, October 20 at 2:30 PM Central to discuss how to address 3.48 HPRD in comments to CMS' minimum staffing proposal. Corporate office and state affiliate staff should attend, and registration is required. It will be recorded and available for access following the live event.  As a reminder, AHCA/NCAL members have access to the AHCA summary of CMS' Minimum Staffing proposal and are encouraged to review it. (A member log-in is required.) Please email regulatory@ahca.org with any questions on the summary.  Tips on registering: To avoid technical problems, use Google Chrome.  Members will need to log in using their existing email and password first.  Once you are logged into the website, you will be able to register by clicking the green register button at the top of the page.  Click here if you have forgotten your password.  If you are new to the site, you can create an account here. Answer all fields on the create an account page- especially locating your company name. You can search by name or zip code. After creating an account, you will be able to register for the webinar.  Email educate@ahca.org if you need assistance with registering.

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TOMORROW! CMS to Host SNF/LTC Open Door Forum on Thursday The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host its next Skilled Nursing Facilities/Long Term Care Open Door Forum (ODF) this Thursday, October 12 from 2-3 PM CT. The forum provides an opportunity for live dialogue with CMS and is open to all stakeholders.   Advance registration is required for the webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Visit the Open Door Forum website for schedule changes, ODF podcast and transcripts, and email list registration.

Board Certification In Gerontological Nursing Offers Benefits For Nursing Facilities, Residents, Research Shows Provider Magazine (10/10, Simons, 151K) reports that "research suggests that board certification in gerontological nursing offers immense benefits for nursing facilities and residents alike." According to the "analysis of U.S.-based providers conducted by AHCA/NCAL this year, facilities that employ at least one RN with ANCC board certification in gerontological nursing enjoy numerous advantages over the national average: higher five-star ratings and quality ratings, lower short-stay and long-stay rehospitalization rates, fewer deficiencies, and fewer costly immediate-jeopardy citations." But "despite the clear advantages of board-certification in gerontological nursing...only 1 percent of RNs have this credential." The article highlights "the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Gero Nurse Prep course" that "is designed to change this."  Click here to learn how you can save $200 on the Gero Nurse Prep Course!

In Case You Missed It

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar Have you sent in your comments to CMS about the PROPOSED staffing mandate? It’s not too late. The last reported only about 4500 comments had been received by CMS…that’s not enough. Make sure you get all of your staff on board with making comments…especially all of your LPNs who were treated with great disrespect and ignored for the wonderful, compassionate care they provide to our precious elders and residents. How many comments have been submitted from your facility? If you are having great success, please let us know how many and how you did it? We still have until November 6th…it’s important! You don’t need a login or password…here is the link and all you have to do is click on “Submit Your Comments”: https://www.ahcancal.org/Pages/default.aspx We have a wonderful opportunity coming to Wichita Kansas. “The Brain Injury Association of Kansas and Greater KC is hosting a conference to educate providers in caring for patients who are living with a brain injury. READ MORE

KCAL District 5 Round Table Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 2:00PM - 4:00PM in Wichita, KS Assisted Living Round Table with KCAL Board Members Jennifer Scheck, Kasey Breidenthal and Brett Pu and KHCA/KCAL President/CEO Linda MowBray. This includes ALL Assisted Livings, Home Plus and Residential Health Care Communities in District 5. (See image for counties included in this district.)  You do not have to be a KCAL Member to attend and there is no cost. Location: Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant 3213 N Toben St, Wichita, KS 67226 RSVP: If you plan to attend this meeting, please RSVP to the KHCA/KCAL office by emailing Teresa Keating (tkeating@khca.org). Please indicate your name, what community you are with, and a phone number where you can be reached. Teresa will then send you a calendar invite.

Education Spotlight

DON Boot Camp New for 2023! DON Boot Camp Re-Vamp! This program has been specifically created for Nurses that are new to the Director of Nursing Position, RN’s with the potential for serving in the DON position and nurse managers in Long Term Care/Skilled nursing facilities. We’ve collected input from Nurses that have attended in the last few years and have incorporated new and additional topics. Great for new DON’s and for those that want a refresher.  Segment 1: Roles and Responsibilities of the DON Segment 2: Clinical Excellence Segment 3: The Regulatory and Survey Process Segment 4 Leading Clinical Improvement Segment 5: Staffing and Human Resource Management Segment 6: Overview of the Business Operations of the Nursing Department

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Upcoming Education

Webinar: The Main Attraction: Activities That Work: Required Components of the Activity Program 10/18/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM Click here for more details.

Wound Champions in the Post-Acute LTC Setting 10/24/2023 8:00AM - 5:00PM Click here for more details.

Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Steering Survey Success 10/24/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM Click here for more details.

Webinar: The Main Attraction: Activities That Work: Designing and Formatting the Activity Program 10/25/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM Click here for more details.

Fall 2023 Joint Provider Surveyor Training

11/15 - 11/16/2023 9:00AM - 3:50PM Topeka Registration – November 15th Wichita Registration – November 16th Virtual Registration – November 16th Click here for more details.

Virtual ICD-10 Coding Workshop 12/4/2023 8:30AM - 4:00PM Click here for more details.

Administrator in Training (AIT) Program Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.  Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org

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 khca@khca.org |  www.khca.org