KHCA/KCAL Update 10/27/25

October 27, 2025

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The Latest News

License Expiration Grace Period Survey

In response to concerns voiced in the House Special Committee on Government Oversight KSBN is seeking interest and needs for a grace period for nurse’s license expiration date. They would appreciate your feedback. The data will be reported to the decision-makers to assist in possible legislative changes to the Kansas Nurse Practice Act. It is a short survey and can be completed fast. Thank you for your consideration in completing this survey to assist in legislative decisions.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

The October 17th issue of McKnights LTC Clinical Daily News had an interesting article titled, “Study: Nearly two-thirds of nursing home residents were exposed to med combos linked to potential drug-drug interactions”. Polypharmacy has long been an issue for seniors…so much so that CMS used to include 9+ meds as a quality indicator. A past-president of the Kansas Medical Directors Association, spoke often about the dangers of polypharmacy and told providers that “if a resident takes 5 or meds, there is a 100% of drug-drug interactions”. In this world of elder care, who takes 5 meds? No one…15 or 25 is more realistic. The McKnights article stated, “The 12 most common DDIs involved central nervous system (CNS)-active drugs, anticholinergics, antihypertensives, opioids and diuretics. The DDI (Drug-drug interaction) with the longest median exposure duration (81 days) was concurrent use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and heart rate-reducing drugs. Using three or more CNS-active drugs was the most prevalent DDI, observed in 27.1% of all residents.” The article cited an article in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. READ MORE

Providers urge CMS to back off strict interpretation of survey citation requirements, rethink use of penalties

Leaders with the American Health Care Association tried to popularize “strict liability” as a buzzworthy new phrase at their annual convention last week, but their ultimate goal is to help providers — and surveyors — forget all about it.

Strict liability is the phrase AHCA has been using to describe federal regulators’ burdensome approach to surveying in recent years. It is characterized by surveyors’ need to cite any incident that seems to indicate noncompliance — even when staff did everything required to comply with patient safety rules, explained Holly Harmon, AHCA’s senior vice president of quality, regulatory and clinical services. READ MORE

Opinion: "Winners" Of AHCA/NCAL Annual Meeting Highlighted

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News’ Executive Editor James M. Berklan wrote in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (10/24), "As winner after winner crossed the stage during the closing session of the 2025 American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living annual meeting on Wednesday, it became abundantly clear: They really know how to do it right." Berklan continued, "The first ‘they’ being AHCA/NCAL itself," as it "put on a booming national conference for the first time in two years, thanks to a hurricane threat that caused last year’s show to be canceled," with attendance "second only to 2017."

WEDNESDAY! Webinar: Turnover — Root Cause Analysis for Nursing Homes

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

Click here for more details.

THIS WEEK! 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.

CMS Recalls Furloughed Staff To Support Open Enrollment

The New York Times (10/23, Abelson, 20.6M) reports CMS said Thursday that "it would temporarily call back all of its furloughed employees on Monday to handle open enrollment for both Medicare and health plans available under the Affordable Care Act." The employees "have been furloughed for three weeks since the government shutdown began." According to an agency spokesperson, the decision was made "to best serve the American people amid the Medicare and marketplace open enrollment seasons."

Soroptimist International of Wichita Live Your Dream

Your assistance is needed in the search for eligible applicants to receive a Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award, which is the signature project of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Soroptimist International of Wichita is one of nearly 1,200 clubs that make up Soroptimist International of the Americas, a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards are cash awards given to motivated women who are the primary financial supporters of their families. The recipients of the awards are seeking to improve their lives by gaining additional skills, training, or education, but may not have the resources to do so. These cash awards are meant to offset any costs associated with the recipient’s efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, supplies, childcare or transportation costs.

Soroptimist International of Wichita has awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to several recipients each year for the last 50 years. One of these recipients will then also have the chance to receive additional awards at District and Region levels of our Soroptimist organization.

The most challenging aspect of this program is getting applications into the hands of eligible women. You can help by sending this flyer to any women you know who strive to attain higher education in the hopes of better supporting themselves and their families. This link provides all the eligibility requirements and step by step instructions to complete the application.

Education Spotlight

DON Boot Camp

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