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KHCA/KCAL 72nd Annual Convention & Trade Show
We're at our 72nd Annual Convention and Trade Show in Mulvane, KS! Please note, this is an all staff hands on deck event. Please forgive slow replies to emails or calls as we will be out of office, hopefully with you at Convention!
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New CDC Guidance for Health Care Facilities
CDC has updated the following infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance documents for U.S. healthcare settings:
CDC recommends healthcare facilities reference updated Community Transmission metrics on a weekly basis to inform facility-level actions. Community Transmission remains the metric used to guide select actions in healthcare settings, which is different than the COVID-19 Community Levels used for non-healthcare settings. Community Transmission is used to allow for earlier intervention, before there is strain on the healthcare system, and better protect the individuals seeking medical care in these settings.
These updates provide additional protection measures for patients and healthcare workers, especially in hospitals and nursing homes, where COVID-19 is more likely to spread quickly or cause severe disease if introduced.
Please refer to the guidance documents for the full updates. KDHE has adopted the CDC guidance documents in full with no modifications.
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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.
§483.12- Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made changes to the guidance of §483.12 Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation and updated the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide. Changes include the following:
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F600- Abuse/Neglect. CMS removed language regarding sexual abuse and included additional guidance related to neglect.
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F604- Physical Restraints. CMS provided clarification for when bed rails meet the definition of a physical restraint.
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F607- Abuse Policies. CMS added guidance for coordination with QAPI and provisions from the former F608.
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F608- Reporting of Suspected Crimes. CMS deleted this guidance and added it to F-tags F607 and F609.
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F609- Reporting Alleged Violations. CMS revised definitions and guidance related to the timing of reports, added language related to what facilities must report, and added provisions from the former F608.
Technical changes were made to the following F-tags:
- F602-Free from Misappropriation/Exploitation
- F603-Free from Involuntary Seclusion
- F605-Right to be Free from Chemical Restraints
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F606-Not Employee Staff with Adverse Actions
CMS also updated the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide. This guide assists surveyors in determining the severity of the psychosocial outcome resulting from noncompliance and to assist surveyors in applying the reasonable person concept.
AHCA members may also refer to existing member resources:
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CMS Rescinds Enforcement Discretion for POC Antigen Tests Not FDA Approved for Asymptomatic Use
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update to QSO Memo QSO-22-25-CLIA which rescinds enforcement discretion for the use of SARS-CoV-2 tests not FDA approved for use among asymptomatic individuals outside of the test’s instructions for use.
At the start of the pandemic, some but not all of the SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care (POC) Antigen (Ag) tests were limited to use on individuals who are symptomatic. Thus, in December 2020, CMS released a memo saying it would use enforcement discretion to allow providers with CLIA Certificate of Waiver to use these tests outside of the FDA approved manufacturer’s use. CMS has now rescinded this memo as many POC Ag tests are now approved for both symptomatic patients AND serial screening of asymptomatic patients making the waiver no longer necessary. READ MORE
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REMINDER! Webinar: CDC & CMS COVID-19 Guidance Changes
AHCA is hosting a members-only webinar on Friday, September 30 at 11 a.m. CT. Senior members of the AHCA Quality & Regulatory team will review recent updates to COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The webinar will be recorded and available to access after the live event.
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CMS Updates Testing and Visitation Guidance, Aligning with Latest CDC Guidance
CMS released revised QSO memos QSO-20-38-NH (Testing) and QSO-20-29-NH (Visitation). Revisions in the testing memo include information on routine testing of asymptomatic staff and updated recommendations for testing individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Revisions in the visitation memo include updated guidance for face coverings and masks during visits and the removal of vaccination status as a consideration. These revisions align with the updated CDC guidance that was also released on the same date.
Many of these changes reflect the tireless work that AHCA/KHCA members have devoted to advocating for CDC and CMS to update. READ MORE
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Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period 3 Due This Friday
Providers who received Provider Relief Fund (PRF) payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, between January 1, 2021- June 30, 2021, are required to report in Reporting Period 3 (RP3). There will be no extension. You must submit a report on use of funds by September 30, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
On September 8, 2022, providers received a notification, based on their status in the reporting process, reminding them of their reporting requirement. The RP3 reminder email for providers registered but who have not yet reported may be viewed here. The RP3 reminder email for providers registered and in progress may be viewed here.
Request to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstances
Providers who experienced one or more extenuating circumstances that prevented them from submitting a completed PRF Report in Reporting Periods 1 and/or 2 (RP1 and RP2) by the deadline had the opportunity to submit a Request to Report Late Due to Extenuating Circumstance. The opportunities to submit late reports for RP1 and RP2 have passed. While it’s anticipated that the Extenuating Circumstances option will be offered for RP3, providers are highly encouraged to complete the report by the September 30 deadline. It is a request process that will open, and approved providers will be required to submit reports in a two-week window of time.
Upcoming reporting periods:
- Reporting Period 4 opens on January 1, 2023
- Reporting Period 5 opens on July 1, 2023
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Federal requirements to be a qualified long-term care facility director of food and nutrition services are changing Saturday (Oct. 1) in order to ease training and staffing obstacles while keeping standards high, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The move has not come without controversy. READ MORE
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During AHCA-NCAL Webinar, Dr. Deborah Birx Discusses Impact Of COVID-19, Other Infectious Diseases On Long-Term Care Facilities
McKnight’s Senior Living (9/28, Bonvissuto) reports, "COVID-19 permanently changed the work environment and how care is delivered inside long-term care facilities, said noted infectious disease expert Deborah Birx, MD, to a nationwide group of senior care and housing providers Tuesday." She was addressing the groups via "a webinar from the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living, LeadingAge, Argentum and the American Seniors Housing Association on lessons learned from COVID-19." Beyond COVID-19, senior and long-term "care communities also need to consider the implications of Monkeypox and the upcoming flu season for residents and staff, she warned."
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Elder Justice Act, SNF Resident Rights & AL Resident Rights Posters
Do you need an Elder Justice Act or Resident Rights Poster for your Facility? We’re here for you. $15 for one, $25 for two or $35 for three. E-mail Kristin Plantz your needs!
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Webinar: Survey Top 10 Citation Series - Survey Success! #9 Top Citation: F686 Treatment/Services to Prevent/Heal Pressure Ulcer
10/4/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Unpacking the RoP Interpretive Guidance: LTC Implementation Essentials Session 5: Compliance & Ethics; Training Requirements; Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide Requirements
10/6/2022 1:30PM-3:00PM
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Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Expert Outbreak Management for the Infection Preventionist
10/18/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS OCTOBER 12, 20224
10/16/2022 - 11/1/2022
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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. Many more education sessions to come.
Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
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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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