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LAST CHANCE to Apply for a 2024 National Quality Award
If you have not applied for a 2024 National Quality Award, there is still a little time left. But the deadline is coming up fast, so do not wait. All Bronze, Silver, and Gold level applications must be finalized and submitted by 7:00PM CST on Thursday, January 25, 2024. READ MORE
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Joint Employer Rule Overview: What You Need to Know
Last year, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued the final joint employer rule that broadens the NLRB's definition of employer. It rescinds a 2020 final rule issued by the previous NLRB. Employers should prepare to comply with the new rule effective February 26, 2024.
As a provider, it could potentially increase liability and exposure for long term care centers if they utilize staffing agency or contract workers. This rule could also impact employees of a staffing company and/or contractors who are either unionized, take steps to unionize, or who are non-supervisory employees (and nonetheless covered by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act even if not unionized).
AHCA/NCAL has provided a summary for its members with additional, vital information. Please note that an AHCA/NCAL member log-in is required to view the summary.
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CMS Looking To Finalize Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Proposal This Year
Skilled Nursing News (1/23, Siddiqi) reports CMS "officials are looking to finalize the nursing home minimum staffing proposal in 2024, an official at the federal agency confirmed at its national stakeholder call on Tuesday." CMS Center for Clinical Standards and Quality Acting Chief Medical Officer and Director Dr. Dora Hughes said, "The team received more than 46,000 comments on the proposal which are being used to inform development of the final rule which we intend to finalize this year." In response to the agency’s "intended timeline for 2024, advocacy groups told Skilled Nursing News that they had grave concerns about the lack of workers and funding." An American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living spokesperson said in an email to SNN, "It is unfortunate that CMS plans to move forward with this rule despite the vast amount of concerns from a variety of stakeholders. This unfunded staffing mandate will have a compounding and detrimental effect on seniors’ access to long term care."
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OIG to audit CMS oversight of state-contracted nursing home surveyors
A top federal watchdog will audit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ nursing home survey practices in 2024, according to a new report.
Though sparse on details, the Jan. 16 announcement highlights concerns that third-party contractors may not have sufficient oversight to ensure proper performance of nursing home surveys. READ MORE
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Bethea Discusses Accomplishments Of 2023, Forecasts Challenges And Goals For 2024 For Assisted Living Sector
Provider Magazine (1/23, 151K) reports that in a Q&A with National Center for Assisted Living Executive Director LaShuan Bethea, "Bethea reviews the accomplishments of 2023 and forecasts what 2024 will hold for the assisted living sector." Discussing the successes of last year, Bethea said, "Assisted living providers have continued to deliver the high-quality care that residents depend on in their communities. They – like all long term care providers – have faced myriad challenges since the pandemic, and yet they continue to meet residents’ needs day-in and day-out." Bethea added, "That commitment shines bright through the results of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program in 2023. We saw a record number of assisted living communities (as well as nursing home providers) declare their interest in applying for a Quality Award since the beginning of the pandemic." When asked what the top issues facing providers will be this year, Bethea explained, "Many of these issues have been ongoing for many years. We continue to face a labor shortage, which – as mentioned – impacts access to care and not quality of care. ... This will only be made worse by the Biden Administration’s proposed staffing mandate." Still, Bethea concluded, "I believe 2024 is going to be an exciting year for assisted living," highlighting NCAL’s focus to improve workforce, population health management, and quality.
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TOMORROW! Webinar: Optimizing Care: Antipsychotics in Long-Term Care
1/25/24 - 1:00PM-2:15PM
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Upcoming iQIES Service Center Hold Times Reminder
Due to the Payroll Based Journal quarterly deadline, the iQIES Service Center is projecting an increase in the volume of calls and emails between January 2, 2024, and February 14, 2024.
There are a variety of methods to contact the CCSQ Service Center:
You can schedule a call with a Service Center Representative at a time that best works for you! Just go to the CCSQ Support Central page and click on Schedule a Call. READ MORE
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Join us for Aging Services Day 2024!
Aging Services Day is a collaborative event put together by Kansas Health Care Association/Kansas Center for Assisted Living, LeadingAge Kansas and Kansas Adult Care Executives where Long Term Care Providers gather at the State Capitol to champion the needs of our elderly in Kansas. We will meet in the morning for education then walk together across the street to the Capitol for a full afternoon of legislative advocacy on issues that are crucial to the LTC Profession with our Kansas Legislators. It’s a powerful opportunity to allow your voice to be heard and influence positive change for LTC providers and the population we care for. Be part of the movement for better aging services.
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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
On January 17, 2024, the AHCA State Affiliate Network Meeting was held with several important topics discussed. The first presentation was given by staff from the Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF). CMS awarded a grant to the COE-NF a year ago to provide resources and training materials to nursing facilities that are certified by CMS for training and assistance with residents with behavioral health issues. From AHCA’s meeting notes: READ MORE
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KMAP Web Update
The KMAP Public Portal has been updated with General Bulletin 24013 regarding staying enrolled as a KanCare provider and a reminder to revalidate.
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Upcoming Webinar: COVID-19 Immunization Strategies for LTC
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid will host a webinar on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. CT regarding strategies to increase immunization rates in long term care.
This webinar is geared toward nursing home leaders, medical directors, directors of nursing, and infection preventionists interested in collaborating with their staff, residents, and families to maximize COVID-19 vaccination rates at their facilities.
During the webinar, attendees will hear directly from nursing home teams that have developed successful strategies to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and fatigue, schedule onsite vaccination clinics, and address staff turnover to ensure residents receive timely vaccinations.
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Resident Care Coordinator Training for Nurses in Assisted Living
Assisted Living homes are one of the fastest growing segments of Kansas Long Term Care. Homes that understand the importance of the Resident Care Coordinator know that the right nurse with the right systems can be the answer to providing excellence in resident centered care.
Join KCAL professional nurses for a full day of training specifically designed to give nurses in the state licensed only setting (Assisted Living/Home Plus/Residential Health Care) the tools they need to succeed. From “up-to- date” regulatory information to hints for designing systems, this course will provide “The Right Stuff” for a nurse to succeed as a Resident Care Coordinator.
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RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop
1/29/2024 8:00AM - 1/31/2024 5:00PM
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Aging Services Day - 2024
2/1/2024 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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Webinar: The Impact of the MDS: Ripple Effect on Reimbursement
2/7/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Falls and Other Accident Hazards
2/13/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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OSHA Recordkeeping & New Reporting Requirements
2/13/24 - 2:00PM-3:00PM
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Webinar: The Impact of the MDS: MDS Influence on the Quality Measures
2/14/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Resident Care Coordinator Training for Nurses in Assisted Living
2/16/24 - 8:30AM-3:30PM in Ottawa, KS
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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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