In observance of the U.S. federal holiday Independence Day, we will not publish on Friday, July 5th. Service will resume on Monday, July 8th. We wish our members a safe and happy holiday.

Governor Kelly Announces Administration Appointment

Tuesday, Governor Laura Kelly announced the following appointment:

Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Purpose: To advocate for residents of long-term care facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, and boarding care homes. 

• Haely Ordoyne, Clyde, KS

Ordoyne says, “I am truly humbled to have been recommended by several amazing leaders in our state. I look forward to serving and collaborating with other amazing leaders and organizations to continue to advocate for, educate and empower residents of long-term care facilities including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, and boarding care homes.”

Ms. Ordoyne’s appointment officially starts Monday, July 8, 2024.

The mission of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is to enhance the quality of life and quality of services in Kansas adult care homes through advocacy, education, and empowerment.

Ombudsmen promote person-directed living which respects individual values and preserves individual rights and preferences.

Kansas's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program was founded in 1975 as a result of the federal Older Americans Act, which grants a special set of residents' rights to individuals who live in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other adult care homes. Staff and volunteer ombudsmen seek to ensure the health, safety, welfare and rights of these residents throughout Kansas.



The Ombudsman Program operates under the authority of federal and state law.

CMS Revises PBJ Staff Turnover Definition

Other Updates Coming on July 31 to Nursing Home Data and Care Compare

Monday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-24-14-NH regarding updates coming to Nursing Home Care Compare and Data.CMS.gov on July 31, 2024. The updates reflect previously announced changes that CMS made public in September 2023. 

The changes include:

• Revising How the Staff Turnover Measure is Calculated: CMS will exclude employees who are on leave for 90 days or less from being counted as staff turnover. This will help accommodate for staff who are out on maternity or parental leave. Currently, any staff absence of 60 days or more counts as turnover, so this change should lower turnover rates.
• Implementing New Staffing Level Case-Mix Adjustment Methodology: Beginning on July 31, CMS will post the new staffing level case-mix adjustment methodology for staffing measures reported on Care Compare. CMS will revise the staffing rating thresholds to maintain the same overall distribution of points for affected staffing measures. 
• Updating Quality Measure Risk-Adjustment with Most Recent Data: CMS will revise the risk adjustment methodology for the claims-based quality measures to incorporate the most recent data available.
• Posting Facility-Level Data on Resident and Facility Characteristics: Beginning on July 31, CMS will start posting aggregate MDS data at the facility-level on Data.CMS.gov. The data will likely be facility-level version of the MDS frequency data currently available at the state- and national-level. 
• Updating Nursing Home Guides Posted on Care Compare: CMS will post new guides for consumers on the Nursing Home Care Compare​ website as part of the agency’s efforts to promote "minimum health and safety expectations.”

More details on all of these updates can be found here. Please contact regulatory@ahca.org with questions. 

New LTC Facility Assessment Resources Now Available

AHCA has developed several new resources to assist skilled nursing facilities in preparing to meet the new requirements of the long-term care facility assessment effective August 8. They include a Facility Assessment Checklist, Action Brief, and webinar. READ MORE

A Mid-Year Update from Mark Parkinson 

COVID Recovery Nearly Complete; Staffing Mandate Looms

The first half of 2024 has flown by, and a lot of good things have happened. But we still have some work to do. Below I share my mid-year update on both of these areas and more.

• COVID RECOVERY IS NEARLY COMPLETE
• POLICY UPDATE – WE HAVE BEEN WINNING, BUT STILL HAVE WORK TO DO
• NCAL HITS RECORD MEMBERSHIP!
• THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT – SILVER TSUNAMI FINALLY HERE; FINDING WORKERS WILL BE THE PROBLEM
• QUALITY IS A KEY PART OF THE ANSWER
• PROVIDER NETWORKS CONTINUE TO GROW
• I’M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!

2024 Staff Recognition Program

The 2024 Staff Recognition Program is here again, and this is a way for you to honor your staff and volunteers. Our yearly awards ceremony is just a small way of honoring some of the great men and women who care for the elders of our great state! The time taken from your busy schedules to fill out this nomination is very much appreciated.



Winners will be honored at our Annual Convention and Trade Show on Friday, September 27, 2024.

Deadline to submit nominations is Friday, August 23, 2024.

We need your help!

Our AIT Program continues to grow, and we need preceptors!

Current area of needs:

• Seneca – one
• Wichita area – two
• Kansas City area – four
• Labette County area - one

If you are a current Preceptor we would love to have you on our list. Please contact Teresa with your Preceptor number at tkeating@khca.org. Are you interested in becoming an AIT Preceptor and shaping the future of the profession? Our team is happy to walk you through that process. Click here for the KDADS information and give Teresa a call at 785-267-6003.

2025 Webinar Planning

As we look forward to education planning for 2025 we will once again utilize our partnership with Proactive Medical for webinars. Please take a moment to complete the survey included here about topics of interest to you and your entire team. Please consider all areas of the building when responding.

Member Celebrates 20 Years!

KHCA/KCAL attended Brookdale Rosehill’s 20^th Anniversary celebration on Thursday, June 27^th. There was fun had by all with dinner, games and a DJ, they hit it out of the park! Congratulations on 20 years! 

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

• AHCA/NCAL will hold a webinar series focused on workforce-related matters impacting long term care (LTC) providers 
• OHSA prohibits consumption of food and drink at nurses’ stations or clinical areas
• CMS released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid & CHIP
• The Supreme Court posted a ruling that may very well affect CMS certified facilities significantly
• CDC has now issued new guidance on RSV vaccines & recommendations

Click here to read more.

A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

Emergency Plan/Fire Drill Requirements

As the importance of safety in assisted living facilities continues to gain recognition, ensuring compliance with regulations such as those set forth by Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office remains imperative. Among the various safety protocols mandated by KSFM, emergency procedures and fire drills stand out as critical exercises that directly impact the well-being of residents and staff alike. Understanding and implementing these requirements not only ensures regulatory compliance, but also enhances the overall safety and preparedness of assisted living communities. READ MORE

With the ‘Wicked Witch’ of regulation dead, nursing home staffing rule could follow

The Supreme Court’s landmark decision Friday revoking broad deference to federal agencies is likely to bolster legal arguments against a federal nursing home staffing rule, experts told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.

The ruling reverses a long-standing doctrine that has given regulatory agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, broad discretion to set rules for the entities they cover. READ MORE

Also reported by Skilled Nursing News

FACE of Kansas Scholarship for KHCA/KCAL CNA’s wanting to become CMA’s

The Foundation for Aging and Caring of Elders of Kansas Inc. (FACE of Kansas) is pleased to offer the FACE of Kansas Education Scholarship Program. FACE will award $500 scholarships to qualified future CMA’s who are interested in enrolling in a KDADS approved CMA course in the state of Kansas. Potential recipients must have worked as a CNA for at least 6 months in a KHCA/KCAL member building and plan to continue a career in the Long Term Care Profession.

FACE of Kansas is a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of the long-term care homes of Kansas through professional opportunities and education for long-term care providers.



The Foundation for Aging and Care of Elders of Kansas, Inc. (FACE of Kansas) was established in 2006 to provide a community organization to promote quality care in Kansas adult care homes. FACE of Kansas seeks to improve the quality of care and services, and the quality of life for elderly and disabled Americans, through opportunities under which members may exchange ideas and obtain education to improve the knowledge, abilities, and standing of the adult care home profession. Only one scholarship per facility may be awarded per year.

Questions about the scholarship can be directed to khca@khca.org. The criteria and application form can be found by clicking here.

Webinar: Fire and Smoke Door Inspections

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

10:30AM - 12:00PM

Kenn Daily, LNHA with Elder Care Systems Group has prepared this door inspection training and an inspection form to be used in meeting the annual fire door inspection requirement. The training packet has been developed to provide guidance and training to ensure that individuals inspecting and testing doors are prepared and qualified.

This webinar is available LIVE only and will not be recorded for distribution.

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Medication Errors

7/9/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Management

7/16/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

Joint Provider Fire Marshal

7/22/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM - Topeka

7/22/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM - Wichita/Virtual

Assisted Living CNA/CMA Boot Camp

7/26/24 - 8:30AM-4:00PM Topeka, KS

Click here for more details.

Webinar: Fire and Smoke Door Inspections

7/30/24 - 10:30AM-12:00PM

Click here for more details.