KHCA/KCAL Update 9/16/24

September 16, 2024

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The Latest News

A Message from the Office of the State Fire Marshal

From the desk of Rachel Martin, Code Compliance Officer in an email to Linda MowBray, KHCA President/CEO

Below are the documents that our surveyors are using during their surveys. As I explained, the cybersecurity policy isn’t specifically mentioned; however, in this day and age, it should be pretty high on a facility’s hazard vulnerability assessment. When the emergency preparedness surveys were started (in 2016, I think), this wasn’t as much of a concern, so is not included in many facilities’ plans. Since it has become so prevalent, our surveyors are specifically looking for this now.

Rachel Martin

Code Compliance Officer

Office of the State Fire Marshal

800 SW Jackson, Suite 104

Topeka, KS 66612-1216

(785) 291-3428 – phone

(785) 296-0151 – fax

rachel.martin@ks.gov

Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar

Review of the QCOR survey findings reveals care plans stay in the top 10 deficiencies…again and still. Review of the actual findings indicates cultural competence and history of trauma are not being thoroughly assessed or care planned. Additionally, communication of the information to the direct care staff (ALL of the direct care staff) is not always thoroughly completed. In fact, many statements of deficiencies actually document that direct care staff don’t even know how or where to access a resident staff are caring for, care plans.

AHCA has developed a “tip sheet” for F656 related to Culturally Competent and/or Trauma Informed care plans. READ MORE

CMS files 75,000-page response to staffing mandate lawsuit

The Department of Health and Human Services filed more than 75,000 pages of rule-making records with a federal court Friday, beginning its formal defense of its controversial nursing home staffing mandate. READ MORE

KFMC-Health Improvement Partners is providing FREE vaccination clinic support for 2024-2025 COVID-19, Influenza, and Pneumococcal vaccines for Assisted Living Centers and Long-Term Care Facilities.

Click here for more details.

TOMORROW! Register for 9/17 Free Webinar on NHSN Reporting Essentials for Long-Term Care Facilities

September 17 at 1:00PM

National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting is the top citation for long-term care facilities and potentially one of the costliest for your facility.

Please make sure to set aside an hour on September 17 at 1:00PM CT where you will learn ways to ensure accurate, timely NHSN reporting to avoid citations and Civil Money Penalties (CMP).

TOMORROW! Webinar: Documentation in Depth: Supportive Documentation for Respiratory Care

9/17/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

WEDNESDAY! Webinar: Psychotropic Medications: Best Practices in LTC

9/18/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.

The Countdown is on until Convention!

Will you be joining us?

Provider details & registration: https://conta.cc/3XhEKbK

Exhibitor details & registration: https://conta.cc/3TslIhR

AHCA/NCAL Launches Campaign To Boost Respiratory Virus Vaccination Rates Among Seniors In Care Settings

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (9/12, Towhey) reports AHCA/NCAL "has launched a major campaign to get seniors in care settings vaccinated against respiratory viruses that hit at this time of year." The organization’s "#GetVaccinated campaign...complements what nursing homes are already doing to boost vaccination rates even as fatigue and barriers to access continue to plague this effort." AHCA/NCAL Chief Medical Officer David Gifford, MD, MPH, said, "It is a challenge, and I think if the country is committed to making sure older adults have easy access to vaccines, they need to figure out how to solve the problem and not let the free market handle it." The campaign "includes a provider checklist with best practices, factsheets that can be distributed to residents, their families, and staff, and in-depth resources about vaccine administration, reimbursement policies, documenting vaccines, and frequently asked questions."

Education Spotlight