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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Deadline Approaching to Submit Comments on Proposed Minimum Staffing Rule |
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Astonishingly, the proposed mandate doesn't even acknowledge the existence, or valuable role, of licensed practical nurses (LPNs), though there are more LPNs in nursing homes than registered nurses!
This is just one of many, many problems with this proposed mandate. The Biden Administration estimates it would cost nursing homes $4.06 billion a year (the national accounting firm of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP pegs it at $6.8 billion annually), yet is only providing a one-time "workforce investment" of $75 million (a measly $5,000 per nursing home).
The formal comment period on the CMS minimum staffing proposed rule is nearing an end. Though AHCA/NCAL met its original goal of submitting 10,000 comments to CMS from members during the 60-day comment period, a new goal has been set to reach 15,000 comments to have a greater impact with CMS and the Administration.
Make your voice heard, and let the Biden Administration know you oppose this new rule.
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Now Available: Recorded AHCA/NCAL Member Webinar on CMS Minimum Staffing Proposal - How to Address 3.48 HPRD in Comments
The AHCA/NCAL member webinar recording on how to address 3.48 HPRD in comments to CMS on the minimum staffing proposal is now available. We encourage corporate office and state affiliate staff who were unable to attend to review the recording.
The webinar focuses on the CMS minimum staffing proposed rule and CMS' request for 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, as discussed in this webinar.
Tips on accessing the webinar:
- To avoid technical problems, use Google Chrome.
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Members will need to log in using their existing email and password first.
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Click here if you have forgotten your password.
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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.
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HCBS Appendix K Member Notice
During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency there were some new ways that your Home & Community Based Services were able to be delivered. This is to let you know that some of those services or ways services have been delivered will be ending on Nov. 11, 2023, and that some will continue. Your MCO Care Coordinator will help you understand what is changing, and will help you develop a plan, if you need to. READ MORE
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Salmonella Outbreak from Diced Onion Products Distributed in Long Term Care Settings
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued a food safety alert regarding a Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh diced onions. The outbreak has resulted in 73 illnesses across 22 states and has been linked to Gills Onions brand fresh diced onion products. These products have been distributed to long term care facilities.
What Long Term Care Facilities Should Do:
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Check facility freezers and refrigerators for recalled onion products and throw them away.
- Do not serve recalled Gills Onions products or foods made with recalled onion products.
- Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled onion products.
Symptoms of Salmonella:
- Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
- Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
- Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
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CMS Updates MDS Manual to Correct Errors
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted errata updates to the Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument (MDS-RAI) Manual, version 1.18.11 on the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual page effective October 1, 2023.
Provider MDS nurses and staff responsible for completing the specific sections of the MDS or Care Area Assessment (CAA) requirements impacted by this errata update should review and implement it as soon as possible.
The 54-page errata document contains corrections for 21 identified issues in the MDS-RAI Manual. The resolutions are detailed for clarity and provide additional guidance for accurate assessment and care planning activities. This includes:
- In Section D and Chapter 6 to support item D0100, Should Resident Mood Interview be Conducted? serving as a gateway item for the Resident Mood Interview (PHQ-2 to 9©) and D0500, Staff Assessment of Resident Mood (PHQ-9-OV©);
- Minor revisions also included are corrections to language in Section Q to provide proper guidance on CAA requirements;
- Corrections to language in Chapter 2 to provide proper guidance on combining Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) discharge assessments;
- An updated Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) warning error message in Chapter 5;
- Updated screenshots in Section A and Section O; and
- An updated MDS Item Matrix.
The errata document also includes all issues from previous MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.18.11R errata releases.
The first 11 pages of the errata PDF document include a table that lists all identified revisions and the pages to which they have been applied, which are included on pages 12-54 of the PDF document and are marked with the footer “October 2023 (R).”
These MDS manual errata updates follow the recently announced MDS item sets updates version 1.18.11 v6.
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
Last week, AHCANCAL TrendTracker was updated. I hope you have checked out your facility’s information. I have the opportunity to see the dashboard for KHCA members compared to all other facilities in the nation. Here’s what it looks like:
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I know it’s small print but take a look at the red arrows. Kansas facilities got worse in every area of the 5-Star ratings: overall star rating, health inspection star rating, staffing star rating, and quality measures star rating. WOW…are you watching your Star rating closely? Are you keeping your staff members aware of your facility’s star rating and how they can work together to improve all areas?
Kansas facilities also worsened in antipsychotic use. We have not only worsened in percentage of residents receiving antipsychotics for inappropriate diagnoses, as evidenced by 17.1% of Kansas residents receiving inappropriate antipsychotics compared to 14.5% of all other facilities in the nation, but our state rating has risen from a state ranking of 26th in the nation pre-COVID to a current ranking of 42nd. 42nd!!!!! We have obviously lost our focus for the initiative.
We also exceed the national average of long stay hospitalizations. Are you using the INTERACT tool to review all hospitalizations to ensure your residents aren’t being transferred for cares that your facility staff is able to provide to residents to avoid hospitalization. READ MORE
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Reminder: Mercer’s 2024 Global Talent Trends Study – US Healthcare Providers Study for Participation
We wanted to alert you to this voluntary study from Mercer for long term care providers to participate in. The 2022-2023 Global Talent Trends Study can be found here for your reference, which digs into workforce challenges from a cross-industry perspective. The 2024 survey Mercer is working on is aimed at the overall employment experience and strategies/actions organizations are developing or considering in addressing workforce challenges. Mercer noted that this is a very impactful survey for senior living providers as they are analyzing not just what senior living companies are doing to address workforce challenges, but what are the industries such as hospitality, restaurants, etc. that we frequently compete with for talent.
Here are the survey questions for this year so you can get a feel of what the questions posed will reveal. Mercer is also working with other LTC national organizations to share the survey link as well. More directly from Mercer on the study can be found here.
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Member's Only Password Change for website
Username: KHCAKCAL
New Password: Heartland2023
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Have you ever wondered about getting involved in the National Quality Award Program? Here are three ways you can get involved and show your support today! |
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SNFs: Get paid in all the ways you’re supposed to get paid!
Crucial Training for Newer Skilled Nursing BOMs, Billers, and Accountants
Save $100 NOW - Nov. 30th
Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Academy delivers concrete strategies for skilled nursing facilities to secure earned dollars, minimize unnecessary losses, and stay paid. Building a deeper understanding of the myriad SNF payor differences is essential for effective RCM and revenue flow.
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Free Webinar: Medicaid Reimbursement Transition to PDPM, Effective July 1, 2024
11/6/2023 2:00PM - 3:30PM
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DON Boot Camp
11/6 - 11/9/23 8:00AM - 4:30PM
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Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.60 Food and Nutrition Services
11/14/23 - 1:30PM-3:00PM
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Fall 2023 Joint Provider Surveyor Training |
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11/15 - 11/16/2023 9:00AM - 3:50PM
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Departmental Collaboration and Teamwork
11/28/23 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course
11/29 - 12/12/23
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Virtual ICD-10 Coding Workshop
12/4/2023 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.
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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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