Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

Based on survey findings, discussion of accurate and timely completion of a Discharge Summary when a resident leaves the facility. Beginning February 24. 2025, F661 will be relocated to F628 and F627. READ MORE

Federal Assisted Living Legislation Expected To Be Introduced Before Year’s End

McKnight’s Senior Living (12/6, Bowers) said, "Federal assisted living legislation is expected to be introduced by US Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) before the end of the year, LeadingAge Minnesota reported Thursday." The legislation, "according to LeadingAge Minnesota, would establish an Assisted Living Advisory Council that would recommend best practices for assisted living, create a voluntary process for assisted living communities to report their performance related to the recommendations, and develop an online dashboard where consumers could view the performance reports." Groups including NCAL have "submitted formal comments about the legislation, according to the state association." AHCA/NCAL President and CEO Clif Porter said, "We think that states do a better job in regulating, particularly because assisted living models and community-based models are extremely unique."

McKnight’s Senior Living (12/9, Bonvissuto) reports, "Federal oversight of the assisted living industry would be duplicative and would divert resources away from significant work already underway to create best practices for the setting, according to national senior living organizations." These "comments follow the news that US Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) may introduce federal assisted living legislation by year-end." NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea "told McKnight’s Senior Living said the organization will continue working with Kelly and other legislators to ensure that assisted living communities ‘have the flexibility to meet the unique needs of their residents through state regulation, while ensuring seniors and their families have the clarity and resources they need.’" 

TOMORROW! 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.

THIS WEEK! 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.

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.

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

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.