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. |
|
|
White House Releases Winter Playbook for LTC
Yesterday, the Biden Administration announced a COVID-19 Winter Preparedness plan. The plan involves several strategies to expand access to testing, vaccines, and treatments. To support the Winter Preparedness plan, the White House has released a winter playbook for nursing homes and other LTC facilities. The playbook outlines actions facilities can take to encourage vaccine uptake, testing, treatment and improve indoor air quality. Many of these strategies are already underway in LTC facilities across the country. To learn more, AHCA/NCAL encourages providers to review the winter playbook.
|
|
McKnight’s Senior Living (12/19, Bush) To battle low uptake of the latest COVID-19 omicron booster shots in the US’s nursing homes, the White House has announced that facility staff can now administer shots, a big win for many, said one of the nation’s leading caregiver lobbyists. READ MORE
|
|
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.
|
|
KMAP Web Updates
The KMAP website has been updated with the following updates:
· General Bulletin 22394 regarding a provider application fee change for 2023
· General Bulletin 22403 regarding an important KMMS update about the KMAP Provider Secure Portal date of service
KanCare Claims Resolution Logs
A standard global message has been added to alert providers. A standard RA banner message will appear on those available the weeks of December 19 and 26.
|
|
Census and ability to admit new residents
Please take a moment to answer 7 short questions regarding your census and ability to admit new residents. This information is very important for our on-going lobbying efforts. Questions? Contact Linda MowBray
|
|
The Passing of Marty Hegarty
It's with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of Marty Hegarty, who passed away on December 13, 2022. She was a true icon in our industry and will be missed. READ MORE
|
|
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
Since F700 Bedrails is showing up in survey data, perhaps a review of the regulation is in order. READ MORE
|
|
Payroll Based Journal Reports
On today’s facility standards call, 2023 KHCA VP of Facility Standards Cynthia Pendleton referred to a resource that members might find helpful during a PBJ audit. That resource is included here. Click here
|
|
Entering the Winter Season, How Many Nursing Facility Residents and Staff are Up to Date with Their COVID-19 Vaccines?
Kansas Department of Health and Environment has heard some concerns from one of their hospital partners about several LTCFs that refused to accept residents after a hospital stay who were still testing positive for COVID-19 but no longer needing acute care. KDHE wanted to share some guidance (attached) from the CDC related to this in case facilities have questions or need some support from their HAI program.
|
|
White House reveals winter COVID-19 plans, more free tests
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration is once more making some free COVID-19 tests available to all U.S. households as it releases its contingency plans with coronavirus cases ticking upward this winter.
After a three-month hiatus, the administration is making four rapid virus tests available per household through covidtests.gov starting Thursday. COVID-19 cases have shown a marked increase after the Thanksgiving holiday, and further increases are projected from indoor gathering and travel around Christmas and New Year’s. READ MORE
|
|
Biden Administration Announces Winter Preparedness Plan
The Biden Administration announced a COVID-19 Winter Preparedness Plan. The plan expands access to testing, vaccines and treatments, preparing for the impact of variants, cases and hospitalizations in local communities, and protecting the most-high risk Americans, including residents of nursing homes and other congregate living facilities. Strategies identified that impact the LTC community include:
-
Releasing a winter playbook for nursing homes and LTC facilities. The playbook will summarize actions facilities can take to reduce serious illness, prevent hospitalizations and deaths, and minimize disruptions. This will focus on increasing vaccinations, ensuring timely use of treatments and improving indoor air quality.
-
Expanding the pool of providers that may administer the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result of advocacy by AHCA/NCAL, CDC is updating the pharmacy provider agreements to allow nursing home staff to administer the vaccine. HHS is also working with states and QIO’s to help facilitate vaccine clinics.
- Reaching out to governors on how nursing homes in their state are doing with resident vaccination rates.
-
Encouraging hospitals to vaccinate patients before discharge. As a result of advocacy by AHCA/NCAL, Secretary Beccerra has called on the hospitals to vaccinate patients prior to discharge to LTC settings.
This is part of the Biden Administration’s focus on reducing the impact of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses this winter season.
It is recommended to also view an AHCA webinar with Dr. Jha and several AHCA experts who discuss three steps to address respiratory viruses this winter, available on ahcancalED.
|
|
Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year - New 12-month Series Starts January 10th!
This webinar series is designed for those new to the long-term care industry or for those who would like a more comprehensive understanding of the federal regulatory requirements. Over the course of 12 monthly sessions, this series will provide a deep dive into learning about key federal regulations for long-term care facilities. Resident rights, abuse/neglect/exploitation, admission/transfer/discharge, Resident assessment, comprehensive resident centered care plan, quality of life, quality of care, physician services, nursing services, behavioral health, pharmacy services, lab/radiology/diagnostic services, dental services, food/nutrition services, specialized rehab services, administration, QAPI, Infection Control, Compliance and ethics program, physical environment, and training requirements regulations and Interpretive guidance will be covered. Click here for more details.
|
|
Webinar TOMORROW: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Astute Survey Preparedness & Application of Infection Control Regulatory Requirements
12/20/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.10 Resident Rights Requirements
1/10/2023 1:30PM-3:00PM
|
|
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Overview and Health Inspection Domain
1/18/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Department Details for the DON
1/24/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: 5-Star Staffing Rating
1/25/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM
|
|
MDS Workshop
Feb 7-8 in Olathe AND two full days of Virtual Training March 1 and March 8.
|
|
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course
2/15/2023 9am 2/28/2023 3pm
|
|
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.
Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
|
|
Mark Your Calendar for these 2023 Dates! |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
