June 17, 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
The last two years mark an incredible moment in history for CNAs, who have had an incredibly positive impact on older adults and those who work in and manage nursing homes, assisted living communities, and in home care.

You are recognized with much gratitude for the vital role you play in the delivery of quality care and for your dedication to the well-being of others.
CMS Rescinds Prior QSO on Vaccination Expectations for Surveyors Performing Federal Oversight

CMS has released QSO-22-18-ALL to announce it is rescinding the QSO-22-10-ALL memo from January 25, 2022. The January memo noted surveyors who were not fully vaccinated or who did not have an exemption should not participate as part of the onsite survey team performing federal oversight of certified providers and suppliers.
With the removal of QSO-22-10- ALL, surveyor vaccination for performing on​site surveys is no longer a federal requirement but will be managed by each state. CMS continues to encourage vaccination of surveyors performing federal oversight surveys and directs questions about state survey agencies and a​ccrediting organizations to those entities. READ MORE

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

National CNA week is June 16-22. So, how are you recognizing your CNAs this week? The certified nurse aide (CNA) is such an important member of the interdisciplinary team in long-term care. CNAs are the frontline caregivers. They have one of the hardest jobs in healthcare. It is physically demanding, emotionally tasking, and often forgotten by other healthcare providers. In my early nursing career, I was a CNA. Working as an aide was how I put myself through nursing school by working summers and holiday breaks. I was always treated with respect and it made me feel valued, by the patients (I worked in a hospital setting so we had patients) and by my co-worker. That experience influenced my entire career. READ MORE
2022 Nurse Leadership Conference was a huge success!

The KHCA/KCAL Nurse Leadership Conference was a great success! Thank you so much for everyone that attended. We had a great time.

We greatly appreciate our vendor partners who were able to make it, and a special shoutout to our conference sponsor Encore Rehabilitation! Thank you all for the continued support!
In Case You Missed It
CMS Releases Memo on Staff Vaccination Requirement Compliance

CMS has released QSO-22-17-ALL, providing new information on how CMS will survey for compliance of the staff vaccination requirement. CMS survey oversight of the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers will continue to be performed during initial and recertifications surveys. However, it will now only be performed in response to complaints alleging non-compliance with this requirement instead of all surveys. READ MORE

Long-Term Care Industry Supports Legislation Expanding Veterans’ Access To Cost-Effective Assisted Living

McKnight’s Senior Living (6/16, Bonvissuto) reports "‘commonsense’ legislation expanding access to cost-effective assisted living" for veterans "has gained support from the major associations representing senior living and other long-term care providers." Groups including the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living "signed a joint letter of support for the Expanding Veterans’ Options for Long Term Care Act on Monday." This "proposed three-year pilot program would expand veterans’ access to assisted living at six Veterans Integrated Services Networks, including at least two program sites in rural areas and two in state veterans homes." 

The nurse practitioner (NP) role has evolved to be much more involved in the day-to-day operations of a nursing home, especially given the higher acuity that the care setting has adopted. READ MORE
KMAP Web Updates

The KMAP website has been updated with the following update:
  • General Bulletin 22114 regarding a KMAP payment delay
  • General Bulletin 22119 regarding COVID-19 testing for same date of service
 
A standard global message has been added to alert providers. A standard RA banner message will appear on the weeks of June 20 and 27. 
Members Only Nurse Advisory Call & Facility Standards Call

We did not have our Nurse Advisory and Facility Standards call as normally scheduled this month since we were able to meet in person at the Nurse Leadership Conference earlier this week. Below you can still find the latest survey findings from Linda Farrar.
Education Spotlight
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

July 6 - July 19, 2022

This hybrid course is designed to provide you with everything necessary to earn a certificate as an Adult Care Home Operator in the State of Kansas. The class is based on the principles of assisted living as outlined in the KDADS regulation manual and is taught by a variety of presenters that are currently working in the field. The course will be facilitated by Joan Hudson, KCAL Clinical Consultant and Polly Berkley, VP of Operations and Education for KHCA/KCAL. This course provides knowledge and insight on the rules, regulations and responsibilities governing the operation of a state licensed only adult care home. The course fee includes a minimum of 45 hours of instruction, electronic program handout materials (to print if you wish) and a printed Operators manual which will be mailed to the address that you provide when you register. The KDADS registration fee is not included in the fee for this course.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Competency in Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) for the Infection Preventionist

6/21/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Webinar: MDS Mastermind Series: Surmounting Survey and Audit Preparedness

6/22/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
FREE Webinar (1.0 CE): Candida auris outbreaks in LTC Communities

6/23/2022 2:00PM-3:00PM
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

7/6/2022 - 7/19/2022
Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training - Topeka

7/13/22 8:00AM-5:00PM
Joint Provider Fire Marshal Training - Wichita

7/14/22 8:00AM-5:00PM
Assisted Living FCS, NSA and HSP Lunch and Learn

Topeka, KS
7/15/2022 12:00PM-4:00PM
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