October 10, 2025

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The Latest News

Medication Reconciliation Education Now Available through AHCA/NCAL

 

A new Medication Reconciliation program is now available on ahcancalED. It was developed by members of the AHCA Clinical Practice Committee, who have expertise and experience in the development and management of clinical programs.


Registration is free to AHCA/NCAL members. 


This education series explains how medication reconciliation is vital for elderly patients, who are more vulnerable to specific medication adverse effects than younger patients, and are particularly vulnerable to adverse drug events.



The program consists of five modules: each focused on a key area of area of medication reconciliation.

  • What is Medication Reconciliation?
  • Medication Reconciliation Impact on Hospitalizations
  • Steps for Medication Reconciliation
  • Role of the IDT in Medication Reconciliation
  • Medication Reconciliation Regulatory Review


Each module contains an educational video, a corresponding PowerPoint presentation, handouts, and an overall key takeaways document. The modules within the guide may be used individually or combined to meet the specific needs of a facility. This means you can use this guide sequentially or utilize individual elements of the guide separately.


Questions about the program may be sent to regulatory@ahca.org. Technical assistance may be directed to educate@ahca.org

FREE Maintenance Director Training


The maintenance director resource is designed to support long-term care facility managers and maintenance directors in building compliant environmental programs that meet regulatory standards.


The Maintenance Director Training Course is structured into four focused modules, each addressing critical areas of facility safety and compliance:


  1. Maintenance Director Overview - live session that will be recorded for on demand access
  2. Fire and Smoke Door Inspection
  3. Generator Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance
  4. Portable Patient-Care Related Electrical Equipment (PCREE) Testing


Click here to learn more.

Good Samaritan launches telehealth clinical support hub for 27 rural nursing homes


Sanford Health, the hospital system partner for Good Samaritan Society, is launching a new telehealth care service that provides clinical support to remote, largely rural long-term care facilities.


The My Care Line will be staffed by Sanford registered nurses and advanced practice providers from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. weeknights and all weekend long, initially boosting caregiving capabilities for 27 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in South Dakota. READ MORE

We Need AIT Preceptors – Especially in Wichita and Kansas City!


Are you a current AIT Preceptor? We’d love to include you on our official list! Please contact Teresa at tkeating@khca.org and provide your Preceptor number.


We have a particular need for Preceptors in the Wichita and Kansas City areas. Your support is vital — the future of long-term care depends on experienced professionals stepping up to educate and mentor the next generation of leaders.


Interested in becoming an AIT Preceptor and shaping the future of the profession? Our team is happy to guide you through the process. Click here for KDADS information, and don’t hesitate to call Teresa at 785-267-6003 with any questions.

In Case You Missed It

AHCA/NCAL: CDC Adopts Updated COVID-19 Vaccination Schedule


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its adult and child immunization schedules for the COVID-19 vaccine to align with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recent recommendations, which include the following: 



  • For adults ages 65 and older: COVID-19 vaccination is recommended based on individual-based decision-making (also known as shared clinical decision making). 


  • Individuals 6 months to 64 years: COVID-19 vaccination based on individual-based decision making with an emphasis that the risk-benefit of vaccination is highest for those at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 and lowest for those who are not at increased risk (according to theCDC list of COVD-19 risk factors). 


CMS requires nursing homes to offer each resident and staff member the COVID-19 vaccine (once available) unless the immunization is medically contraindicated, or the resident or staff member has already been immunized.


More on Covid-19 Vaccines:

McKnight's LTC News: CDC vaccine advisers add restrictions for receipt of COVID-19 vaccine among adults 65+

Clinical Update Addendum from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar


Considering the COVID-19 vaccination information that came out Monday, I am sending you an addendum to the Weekly Update that went out.


For being on government shutdown, it seems there is a lot going on…especially with COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. On Monday, 10-6-25, ACIP recommended that COVID-19 shots only be available for people 65 and older & only be administered through “shared decision-making” with healthcare providers. This overturns a broader recommendation for administration of the vaccine.


On Monday, 10-6-25, Dr. David Gifford added this comment to the LTC National Infection Prevention Forum regarding this development: “HHS today issued a press release saying that CDC adopted the ACIP COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. READ MORE

AHCA/NCAL Names Liz Burns As New Chief Medical Officer


Skilled Nursing News (10/6, Mullaney) reports "Liz Burns, M.D., will be filling the role" of chief medical officer "at the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, effective Oct. 18, 2025." Burns "succeeds David Gifford, M.D., who served as AHCA/NCAL’s chief medical officer for more than a decade." Beginning "early next year, Gifford will take on a part-time role supporting AHCA/NCAL’s Integrated Networks team and the" Center for Health Policy Evaluation in Long Term Care, to which AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Clif Porter said, "His leadership, medical expertise, and analytical acumen will continue to serve our members well." 

Stop routine nursing home surveys on Jewish holidays: AJAS to feds


A major aging services group representing dozens of Jewish-affiliated nursing homes has asked the federal government to direct survey agencies to avoid non-emergency inspections on Jewish high holidays. READ MORE

Education Spotlight

Registration for DON Boot Camp is open!


November 10 - 12, 2025

Olathe, KS


The KHCA Director of Nursing Boot Camp program is designed to support nursing professionals in Long Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities who are preparing for or serving in leadership roles. Whether you are a newly appointed Director of Nursing, an RN with potential to serve in the DON role, or a current DON that is looking for a refresher. The KHCA DON Boot Camp provides the knowledge, tools, and strategies to succeed. READ MORE

Upcoming Education

Webinar: F550 - Resident Rights/Exercise of Rights


10/14/25 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


Click here for more details.

Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS, NSA, and HSP


10/16/25 - 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM


Click here for more details.

Kansas Governor’s Conference on Aging 2025


10/17/25 - Manhattan, KS


Click here for more details.

Webinar: Hot Topics in LTC Fraud and Abuse


10/21/25 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


Click here for more details.

Joint Provider Surveyor Training


10/29/25 - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM - Lawrence

10/30/25 - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM - Wichita & Virtual



Click here for more details.

Webinar: Turnover — Root Cause Analysis for Nursing Homes


10/29/2025 - 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


Click here for more details.

DON Boot Camp


11/10/25 - 11/12/25

Olathe, KS


Click here for more details.

Administrator in Training (AIT) Program


Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.



Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org

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