July 27, 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/dailyupdates
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Weekly Member Spotlight: Oakview Estates

Oakview Estates is a 40-bed residential health care facility located in a quiet residential community in Frontenac. They are owned by JLMS Properties, LLC and Melissa Brown is their Facility Director. 

At Oakview Estates, they believe the difference in the care and services they provide is in the hearts and hands of the loving and caring staff that is here to support their residents when they need it! On Monday, residents and staff celebrated Christmas in July. Fun, food and dancing were enjoyed by all!  
Welcome to KHCA/KCAL!
Well-Coordinated Teamwork Key To Managing Burden Of COVID-19, Nursing Home Workers Say

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (7/27, Brown) reports, "Well-coordinated efforts among colleagues was the key to successfully surviving the COVID-19 pandemic for a group [of] nursing home workers who described the first two years of the pandemic as the most stressful and exhausting period of their careers." Writing for Infection Control Today, the nursing home employees "said the first lesson of the pandemic learned was the meaning and importance of teamwork." 
Resources Available to Assist 2023 Quality Award Applicants

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has created free resources to help 2023 Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award applicants. Organizations planning to apply for a 2023 Quality Award are encouraged to begin the process by accessing the Quality Award Criteria Series and Roadmaps for each award level. READ MORE
TOMORROW: Upcoming HCBS Compliance Portal Technical Assistance - July 28, 2022 11am-12pm

One technical assistance guidance session opportunity remains to help providers navigate the new HCBS Compliance Portal and ask questions. READ MORE
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.
§483.45-Pharmacy Services

CMS has revised the §483.45-Pharmacy Services guidance. Changes include the following: 
  • F755-Pharmacy Services: CMS provided clarification language related to the disposal of Fentanyl patches. 
  • F757-Drug Regimen is Free from Unnecessary Drugs: CMS added language related to antibiotic stewardship and F881. 
  • F758-Free from Unnecessary Psychotropic Medications/PRN Use: CMS provided clarification of other classes of drugs not listed in the regulation and how they are affected by the psychotropic medication requirements. CMS also added language on potential misdiagnoses, such as schizophrenia, in order to prescribe antipsychotics.
 
Detailed information can be found in the Appendix PP-State Operations Manual.
In Case You Missed It

Whether it’s uttered during an interview, highlighted during an industry conference or referenced in a news release, I’ve heard and seen the word “crisis” quite often during my time reporting on the skilled nursing industry. READ MORE
The Long Term Care Survey manual, Phase 3 is now available for pre-order!

Order your copy today for October delivery.*

Phase 3 of The Long Term Care Survey manual includes all the updates from CMS' three-phase implementation.
Survey guidance for Phase 3 was released in June 2022. Surveyors will begin using this guidance on October 24, 2022. 

Save money by ordering through KHCA!

Learn more about updates to this important resource and place your order today! E-mail Jennafer Sumner with desired quantity.
Education Spotlight
Required In-Services on Demand

KHCA/KCAL offers required In-Services on demand for both Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing.
These 1 hour sessions can be accessed on our new online learning management system.

Click on our course catalog here: https://khcaeducation.com/
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Survey Top 10 Citation Series - Survey Success! #7 Top Citation: F677 ADL Care Provided for Dependent Residents

8/2/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Webinar: The Proficient Infection Preventionist Series: Insightful Root Cause Analysis for the Infection Preventionist

8/16/2022 1:30PM-2:30PM
Person-Centered Dementia Care...From the Perspective of the Resident Lunch & Learn

8/31/2022 10AM-3PM
Olathe, KS
Dynamic DON

This 8-week webinar series runs August-September 2022 and focuses on skill building for serving effectively as the Director of Nursing with emphasis on effective leadership and staff engagement, nursing operations and systems of care for common conditions treated in the LTC setting.
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.

Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
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