May 31, 2024
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for KHCA/KCAL membership. Dissemination, distribution or copying the contents of this email beyond this group is strictly prohibited.
Follow us!
The Latest News
Bronze National Quality Award Recipients Announced

Let’s hear it for our incredible long term care centers! Fifteen Kansas communities have earned the prestigious 2024 Bronze National Quality Award by AHCA/NCAL for their commitment to delivering high quality care. We can’t wait to celebrate you!

Congratulations to:
Avita Senior Living at Derby - Derby, KS
Colwich Gardens Assisted Living LLC - Colwich, KS
Diversicare of Council Grove - Council Grove, KS
Diversicare of Hutchinson - Hutchinson, KS
Marion Assisted Living Community LLC - Marion, KS
Minneapolis Health and Rehabilitation - Minneapolis, KS
Mission Chateau Senior Living Community - Prairie Village, KS
Parkview Heights - Garnett, KS
Pinnacle Park Nursing & Rehab - Salina, KS
Sandpiper Healthcare & Rehab Center, LLC - Wichita, KS
Spring View Manor - Conway Springs, KS
Stratford Commons Memory Care Community - Overland Park, KS
The Cottages Senior Living of Garden City - Garden, City, KS
The Village at Mission LLC - Prairie Village, KS
Trinity Manor - Dodge City, KS
Nurse Leadership Conference

6/18/2024 11:00AM - 6/19/2024 4:00PM
Manhattan, KS

This special Nurse Leadership Conference sponsored by Tapestry Health is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership and clinical skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. A networking event is in the works for the evening of June 18th. This will be a separate ticket event, so don’t forget to sign up. Let’s celebrate all that we’ve accomplished, together.

Education Topics Include:
  • The Magic of Connection for Leaders
  • Unlocking Behaviors; A Holistic Approach to Dementia Care
  • Work Smarter not Harder; Harnessing the Power of People and Artificial Intelligence in Nursing Leadership
  • Advance Care Planning and Effective Conversations about DNR
  • The Pitfalls of Documentation
  • Diagnosing Deeper, Root Cause Exploration for Nursing Excellence
  • Survey Prep; A review of common wound citations and how to avoid them
  • Regulatory Hot Topics and Open Discucssion
  • Plus a Nurse Advisory Committee Elections and a social and networking event at the Liquid Art Winery on the evening of June 18th.

Click here for more details.
In Case You Missed It
Governor Kelly Announces Special Session of the Kansas Legislature

TOPEKA— Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that she will use her constitutional power under Article 1, Section 5 of the Kansas Constitution to reconvene the Kansas Legislature for a special session on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.

“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”

Governor Kelly will issue the proclamation officially convening the Legislature for a special session in the coming days.
Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

Last week, at the AHCA Quality Summit, David Wright from CMS presented to the group updates from CMS. Mr. Wright acknowledged that the survey system of CMS has variability across states and regions and they are working on a revised “Risk-Based” Survey system, which is being piloted in multiple states currently with very positive results. This process would be a “streamlined” survey process for higher performing facilities. Mr. Wright reported that complaint surveys have increased by 12,000 since 2015…whew, that’s a big number! And that fact, in combination with funding to the agency has been “flatlined” for 9 years has led to delayed surveys and an inability of State Agencies to keep up with market wages for surveyor recruitment.

Some areas that CMS is currently working on include: READ MORE
‘Fast-Tracked’: AHCA Lawsuit Opposing Nursing Home Staffing Mandate Has Strong Legs, With Injunction Expected Soon

Lawyers and other leaders in the nursing home sector believe the American Health Care Association’s (AHCA) lawsuit is strong, framed well and likely to succeed, with a decision possible by early 2025. READ MORE
'Inspiring Generations' Revealed as Theme for National Assisted Living Week 2024

NCAL revealed 'Inspiring Generations' as this year's theme for National Assisted Living Week. The annual, national observance – officially sponsored by Select Rehabilitation in 2024 – provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and local communities to celebrate the individuals who live and work in assisted living and to learn more about this sector of long term care. READ MORE
Education Spotlight
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop

June 25-27, 2024
Wichita, KS

Increase your knowledge of clinical assessment and care planning, completion of the MDS, the regulations surrounding the RAI/MDS process, and managing the PDPM by attending an AAPACN Resident Assessment Coordinator-Certified (RAC-CT) certification workshop. Having the RAC-CT credential behind your name shows you are a knowledgeable and capable MDS professional. RAC-CT certification is the nationally recognized gold-standard in resident assessment in the long-term care nursing profession. By earning this credential, individuals have shown their expertise in skilled nursing facility prospective payment system and minimum data set (MDS 3.0) assessment.

The RAC-CT certification program consists of 10 education courses designed for post-acute care professionals with at least six months of experience with the MDS/RAI process. If you have less than six months of experience, we highly recommend taking MDS Essentials as a foundation to get you started and make sure you’re prepared to succeed in the RAC-CT program. To earn the RAC-CT credential, you must successfully complete the associated final certification exams with a score of 80% or higher. You will have one year from the date of the workshop before they expire. There are three exam attempts per course. Recertification is required every two years.

Click here for more details.
Upcoming Education
Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks related to CPR

6/11/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
SSD Boot Camp

6/17/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM
Topeka, KS

This class is full! Please email khca@khca.org to be placed on wait list.

Click here for more details.
Nurse Leadership Conference

6/18 - 6/19/24
Manhattan, KS

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for End-of-Life Care

6/18/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
RAC-CT Certification In-Person Workshop

6/25 - 6/27/24
Wichita, KS

Click here for more details.
Virtual Adult Care Home Operators Course

7/10 - 7/23/24

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