This message contains confidential information and is intended only for KHCA/KCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited. |
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Holiday Message
In observance of New Year's, we will not publish on Friday, December 30th or Monday, January 2nd. Our daily message will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd. We wish you a safe and happy holiday.
We look forward to serving you in the New Year!
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Major study links nursing home staff vaccinations to lower resident deaths, calls for updated booster guidance
Policymakers should rethink their “stagnant” approach to booster shots, argue the researchers behind a new, first-of-its kind national study linking COVID-19 vaccination of nursing home staff to significantly improved resident outcomes over time.
As little as a 10-percentage point increase in staff vaccinations delivered lower weekly case counts and deaths among residents in the first months after shots became available, according to an analysis of federal vaccination data from more than 15,000 nursing homes. The landmark study was published Thursday in JAMA Network Open. READ MORE
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Member Spotlight: Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Rossville
Rossville Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center is an 81-bed skilled nursing facility located at 600 E Perry in Rossville. They are owned by Recover Care and Jessie Bird is their Administrator.
All things CHRISTMAS are happening at Rossville Healthcare and Rehab! Staff and residents enjoyed stocking making, Christmas light cruising, cookie contests, lighted Christmas parades, eggnog sippin’, and of course Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a visit from Santa!
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A Special Holiday Message from LaShuan Bethea
As we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year, we must continue to do our part to protect each other from influenza, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses. LaShuan Bethea, Executive Director at the National Center for Assisted Living, highlights several simple ways to keep our residents, families, and ourselves safe in this special message - such as washing your hands frequently and getting your flu shot and COVID-19 bivalent booster.
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Travel Nurses Across US Pushing Back Against Pay Cuts
NBC News (12/28, Lee) reports, "The boom in travel nursing during Covid exposed a practice that has existed since the industry’s birth 50 years ago, according to experts." Nurses "found themselves...with their salaries slashed at renewal time, and only then grasped the wiggle room in their signed contracts, which were really ‘at-will’ work agreements." However, "the sheer number of nurses working travel jobs, and the difference between what they thought was promised and what they pocketed, has led to a substantial legal pushback by travel nurses around the country on the issue." In "the travel nurse industry, hospitals have the leverage to push the agencies for pay cuts when their demand dips, said" Wanderly Digital Health and Innovation Vice President Robert Longyear. And "on top of the nurse’s agreed salary, the hospitals are also paying the agencies commissions that can reach 40%, according to a spokesperson for the American Health Care Association." READ MORE
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The CDC has provided additional guidance and clarification regarding the December 2022 NHSN Influenza Vaccination Data Reporting through NHSN. The CDC is aware that there is some confusion regarding LTC reporting of influenza vaccination data through NHSN.
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Flu Decreasing In Many Parts Of US, CDC Says
The AP (12/23, Stobbe) reported, "Flu is decreasing in many parts of the U.S. after an alarmingly early and strong start to the season." According to data from the CDC, "the number of flu hospital admissions fell for the second week in a row" and "the percentage of doctor’s office visits due to fever and other flu-like symptoms has dropped for three weeks in a row."
CNN (12/23, McPhillips) reported, "The CDC estimates that there have been at least 18 million illnesses, 190,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths from flu so far this season."
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SAVE THE DATE: National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call on Thursday January 5, 2023 at 2pm Central Time
Please join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday January 5, 2023 at 3:00 pm ET for a National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call. Long-term care providers, facility staff and resident advocates are encouraged to attend. This event is open to the public; registration is required.
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Mission Possible Series - SNF Department Head Briefing - New 12-month Series Starts January 24th!
This monthly series will address essential functions, quality care and department-specific management functions for department heads with sessions specific for Administrators, DONs, Housekeeping, Social Services, Activities, Dietary, Maintenance and Therapy. Topics will include department-specific considerations for infection control, survey preparedness, role in meetings, IDT systems integration, MDS supportive documentation, care planning, driving QMs, employee satisfaction and customer service. This series is ideal for new or seasoned department heads with recordings available for ongoing access on-demand to these essential lessons on the building blocks of SNF/LTC operational success. Save 20% if you sign up for the whole series. Click here for more details.
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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. The SNF in-service on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation has been updated to reflect Phase 3 information.
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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