December 6, 2024

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The Latest News

A reminder from the Office of the State Fire Marshal regarding decorating in Healthcare


NFPA 101 Life Safety Code and in 18.7.5.6/19.7.5.6, it states that combustible decorations are prohibited unless it meets one of the 5 listed criteria. #4 is the one that is going to commonly apply.

 

1. They are flame retardant or treated with a flame-retardant product

2. They meet the requirements of NFPA 701 for flame spread rating

3. They meet the requirements of NPFA 289 for ignition rating

4. Decorations are attached to the walls, ceilings, and non-fire-rated doors in accordance with the following:

  • a. Decorations on non-fire-rated doors do not interfere with operation or latching and do not exceed the limitations of b, c, or d.
  • b. Decorations do not exceed 20% in any room or space of a smoke compartment that is NOT sprinkler protected.
  • c. Decorations do not exceed 30% in any room or space of a smoke compartment that IS sprinkler protected.
  • d. Decorations do not exceed 50% in a patient sleeping room that is sprinkler protected.

5. They are decorations, such as photographs and paintings, in such limited quantities that a hazard of fire development or spread is not present.

 

OFSM is working to update this correct information on their website.

CMS, CDC officials clarify shifting NHSN reporting requirements


Providers used a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Open Door Forum Thursday to question officials about new respiratory and flu reporting standards that go into effect in less than a month.


The new requirements, which roll out Jan. 1, instructs operators to report added information about influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, in addition to COVID-19 information they already submit through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. READ MORE

Federal assisted living legislation expected before end of year


Federal assisted living legislation is expected to be introduced by US Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) before the end of the year.


The goal of the ASSISTED in Assisted Living Act (short for Advancing Supportive Services, Information Sharing, and Transparency for Evidence-informed Decisions in Assisted Living Act) would be “to help consumers and providers have information on best practices in assisted living with the goal of helping set expectations and improving quality and value,” the association, which is the state partner of the national LeadingAge and Argentum organizations, said in a news item posted on its website. READ MORE

Judge Pledges to 'Expedite' Staffing Mandate Case


In the litigation against the federal nursing home staffing mandate, in which state attorneys general from 20 states are seeking a temporary halt, a federal judge heard oral arguments from both the government and the states on Thursday. READ MORE

Encouraging Vaccinations Webinar on Monday, December 9


Long term care providers remain committed to, and nursing homes are required to educate and offer these vaccines, but many remain reluctant to roll up their sleeves. Hear from federal officials and expert staff at AHCA/NCAL about new resources, including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Risk Less. Do More. Campaign, how to overcome vaccine reluctance that can help increase vaccine uptake among our residents and staff. REGISTER HERE

Call for presentations


An essential service to our association is offering high quality training and education to our members. We invite you to join us in our commitment to delivering timely, relevant, and engaging information as we prepare for our 2025 Education Calendar.


We are looking for topics that fit skilled nursing, assisted living, home plus and residential health care communities.


Click here to learn more on our needs and how you can submit a proposal.

In Case You Missed It

CMS Releases FY 2024 Improper Payment Data – What SNF Providers Need to Do


The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently published the Fiscal Year 2024 HHS Agency Financial Report, which highlights the Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) paid claims error rates for Part A and Part B services for October 2023 through September 2024. 


What Skilled Nursing Facilities Should Know


During FY 2024, Medicare paid an estimated 92.34 percent of total Part A and Part B outlays for all providers properly, totaling $382.02 billion. The estimated improper payment rate across all providers was 7.66 percent, or $31.70 billion. In contrast, the estimated improper payment rate for SNF claims increased from 13.76 percent in FY 2023 to 17.2 percent in FY 2024.


Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the 2024 Medicare FFS Supplemental Improper Payment Data report, which includes root causes of SNF Medicare Part A claim errors. It highlights that most errors are not related to medical necessity but are due to various correctable documentation and signature errors.


What SNF Providers Need to Do to Minimize Medicare Claim Payment Errors and Audit Risk


AHCA/NCAL believes that there will be increased Medicare contractor claim review activity until the SNF paid claims error rate returns to lower levels. Errors can be corrected by improving documentation, MDS and claim coding, and triple-checking other similar pre-MDS submission and pre-claim submission compliance activities.


The Association offers resources to assist, including ahcancalED and the AHCA/NCAL Associate Business Member (ABM) Directory for coding, documentation, billing, and compliance expert consultant partners of AHCA/NCAL.


CMS also offers resources, including:


Please contact AHCA/NCAL’s Dan Ciolek with questions.

Recruitment Now Open for the AHCA/NCAL Building Trust Leadership Academy!


We are excited to announce the return of the AHCA/NCAL Building Trust Leadership Academy! This Leadership Academy is designed to teach practical skills to help facility leaders build trust with their staff. Trust is at the heart of many challenges long term care leaders face in their organizations. Trust impacts staff well-being, recruitment and retention, patient safety, infection control, and vaccine rates. This virtual 15-week interactive program is filled with easy-to-use tools and resources to help build trust at all levels of the organization


There is no cost to participants thanks to a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 


Click here to learn more.

Hear from graduates from AHCA/NCAL'S Leadership Academy

Education Spotlight

Webinar: Welcome to the World of Dietary! LTC Refresher Course


December 12th, 2024 - 10:00AM - 2:30PM


Dietary department need a refresh? Sharpen your dietary knowledge and establish effective dietary department systems when you join Proactive for this virtual workshop. This 4-hour training will review team building, food service regulations, documentation requirements, IDT collaboration, preventing common deficiencies and much more! Co-presented by a dual Registered Dietitian and Nursing Home Administrator and a nurse/legal nurse consultant, your team will gain insights into the dietitian role, effective dietary systems and recommended QA oversight and management duties of the facility administrator! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to elevate the quality of your dietary department.


Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the importance of staff development, training, and teamwork in the dietary department.
  • Identify the regulatory requirements pertinent to the dietary manager role.
  • Identify survey procedures surveyors will follow to assess compliance with dietary related requirements.
  • Recognize areas of common deficiencies and how to avoid them.
  • Discuss integration of systems between nursing and dietary departments.
  • Describe best practices for implementing and/or improving assessment and documentation practices pertinent to systems related to nutrition and hydration.
  • Understand the role of the dietary manager in collaborating with the IDT to manage systems related to nutrition and hydration and reducing weight loss in LTC facilities


Click here for more details.

Upcoming Education

Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Respiratory Care


12/10/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM


Click here for more details.

Webinar: Welcome to the World of Dietary! LTC Refresher Course


12/12/24 - 10:00AM-2:30PM


Click here for more details.

Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Infection Prevention and Control


12/17/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM


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