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CDC and CMS Update COVID-19 Guidance
To better align with these updated CDC recommendations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced the expiration of QSO-20-38-NH (COVID-19 Testing) effective May 11 and the revision of QSO-20-39-NH (Visitation) effective May 8. Key changes from CDC and CMS include:
- Admission testing is now at the discretion of the facility. Testing for COVID-19 should be conducted by following accepted national standards, such as CDC recommendations. Non-compliance related to COVID-19 testing will be cited at F-tag 880, and F-tag 886 will no longer be in effect.
- Source control is recommended:
- For individuals who have suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or other respiratory infection.
- For those individuals who had close contact (patients and visitors) or a higher-risk exposure (HCP) with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection, for 10 days after their exposure.
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CDC also addresses broader use of source control as described in CDC’s Core IPC Practices in circumstances including outbreak, facility-wide or based on facility risk assessment and as recommended by public health authorities (e.g., guidance for the community when COVID-19 hospital admission levels are high).
CMS revisions to QSO-20-39 (Nursing Home Visitation) provided additional information that during an outbreak investigation, visitation is recommended to occur in the resident’s room, and visitors are recommended to wear well-fitting source control (if tolerated) and physically distance if able. Visitors are encouraged to stay up to date on their vaccinations.
Consistent with CDC, CMS also noted that facilities should ensure proper visual alerts for visitors to understand infection prevention and control (IPC) best practices and what source control is recommended in the facility, at any time. Signage can be obtained from the CDC website.
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TOMORROW! Free Webinar: The ending of the PHE and what it means for Kansas LTC Communities
May 11, 2023
11:00am-12:00pm
Please join KHCA, LeadingAge Kansas and KACE as we host Scott Brunner, Lacey Hunter and Dawn Altis from the KDADS team to discuss the ending of the PHE and what it means for Kansas LTC Communities. This includes SNF, Assisted Living, Home Plus and Residential Health Care Communities. Questions can be submitted in advance to khca@khca.org. This session will be recorded for those that may not be able to attend live.
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SNF QRP Deadline Approaching May 15: Reporting Annual HCP Influenza Vaccination Data to NHSN
NHSN to Host Office Hours Tomorrow
AHCA has learned that some facilities are having issues accessing the NHSN component on reporting annual health care provider (HCP) influenza vaccination data. This reporting is required by CMS for SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) and the submission deadline is May 15. Failure to report complete data for SNF QRP will result in a 2% reduction in the SNF’s annual rate.
AHCA has contacted the CDC NHSN team and the NHSN has scheduled office hours to answer questions about reporting in the Healthcare Personnel Safety (HPS) Component. Facilities are only required to submit one report that covers the entire reporting period of October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023. Facilities must have SAMS Level 3 user to activate the HPS reporting component to submit the required data for SNF QRP.
The NHSN Office hours will be held Thursday, May 11 at 12:00 p.m. CST. To join, click this link to join the webinar.
Additional information can be found here.
If your facility is having difficulty accessing this NHSN reporting component to submit SNF QRP data, email NHSN@cdc.gov, include “HPS Summary” in the subject line of the email, and specify that you are a LTC facility.
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Parkinson Warns About Impacts Of Federal Staffing Mandate, Managed Care Trends
Skilled Nursing News (5/9, Siddiqi) reports, "Nursing homes are past the ‘nightmare’ caused by Covid-19, but now are facing ‘a real business problem’ that could be considerably worsened by the coming federal staffing mandate." This is according to AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Mark Parkinson, who spoke Tuesday during the "annual conference for New York State Health Facilities Association and New York State Center for Assisted Living" about "the urgent need to battle the staffing mandate even now, before the proposal drops." Also, Parkinson "described the dangers and opportunities that the ‘mega-trend’ of managed care is creating for nursing home operators." However, Parkinson did strike "an upbeat note related to occupancy, saying, ‘The census picture right now continues to be challenging, but I think we’re on the verge of it being quite a bit better in my view.’"
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CMS Daily Digest Bulletin
- Now Available on eCQI Resource Center: CMS Digital Quality Measure Definition
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As behavioral health demands grow, new federal center offers free SNF training
As federal regulators heighten pressure on skilled nursing facilities to accept and treat patients with mental health needs and substance abuse disorders, a new center is ramping up to equip providers with additional resources and training. READ MORE
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McKnight's NSNCW Feature: Deadline by May 16
AHCA received a request from McKnights and they hope you can help. The reporter, Foster Stubbs, is working on a National Skilled Nursing Care Week feature for their The Brighter Side section and he would like to interview providers who have events planned. If you have an event planned and willing to speak with the reporter, please let Andrea Todd with AHCA know. Foster with McKnight's would like to speak with someone by Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
This is a great opportunity to shine a light on the great work that happens every day in centers to improve lives. Please contact Andrea with AHCA at atodd@ahca.org.
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
I want to start with a short addendum to last week’s Clinical Update on Medication Reconciliation. Of course, you the need to continue to count scheduled drugs even if a staff member has tossed the drugs in a cabinet after the drug is discontinued and the cabinet is accessible to all staff that have the keys to access the drugs.
So, onto new business…WOW! It’s been a very busy and informative week. On Monday, May 1st, CMS issues QSO-23-13-All. If you haven’t read & reviewed it, it would be good for you to open it up and read it over carefully. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-23-13-all.pdf
Again, read it carefully. AHCA has provided EXCELLENT information about some of the issues addressed in the QSO letter. In the latest update they explain:... click here to continue reading.
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Wichita State participating in “Last Mile to Hire”
Wichita State University has been selected as one of two academic institutions nationwide to participate in the “Last Mile to Hire.” Through this project, they aim to understand the skills-based hiring system from candidate identification, application, interview, and hire. They are focusing on employers who hire direct support professionals who provide services to individuals of all ages and types of disabilities.
Would you please take a few minutes to complete this survey to allow them a better understanding of your current hiring practices. Your input will help define the scope of the project and will be used to develop a pilot project that potentially assist you in the hiring process.
The estimated survey time is 5 minutes.
Those who complete the survey by May 15 will be entered to win a $250 Amazon gift card.
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Upcoming iQIES Service Center Hold Times
Due to the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) quarterly deadline, the iQIES Service Center is projecting an increase in the volume of calls and emails between now and May 15, 2023.
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Nurse Leadership Conference
6/13/2023 11:00AM - 6/14/2023 4:00PM
This special Nurse Leadership Conference is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing.
Education Topics Include:
- A Nurse Leaders role in Creating Culture for Staff and Residents
- Leading the Charge
- Resident and Family Grievances
- Nurse Advisory Committee Meeting
- Rebuilding After Burnout
- The Regulatory Crosswalk
- Advance Directives
- Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Identity Theft
- Regulatory Hot Topics
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Spring Sale! Required In-Service Bundles
Assisted Living In-Service Bundle was $157.50 now $65! Click here for more details.
SNF In-Service Bundle was $165 now $99! Click here for more details.
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Two On Demand Webinars focusing on Social Services
Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Designs Well-Rounded Dietary Departments
5/23/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS/NSA and HSP
6/9/2023 10:00AM - 2:00PM
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MDS - RAI Changes Workshop
6/12/2023 9:00AM - 4:00PM
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Nurse Leadership Conference
6/13/2023 11:00AM - 6/14/2023 4:00PM
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Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.25 Quality of Care Requirements
6/13/2023 1:30PM - 3:00PM
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Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Helps and Hints for Housekeeping
6/27/2023 1:30PM - 2:30PM
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! Click here for more details.
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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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