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Clinical Update from KHCA Consultant Linda Farrar
Let’s start with some good news for Kansas facilities…skilled, LTC, AL, Residential Healthcare, Home Plus: near the beginning of the pandemic, Kansas, at the urging of the Advocates, created a visitation assessment that was to be completed for each resident related to visitation preferences. That document had remained in effect as far as we knew. Upon request from KHCA staff, Lacey Hunter confirmed that those visitation preference assessments are no longer necessary.
The AHCA LTC National Infection Prevention Forum has recently had a lot of discussion related to UTIs associated with indwelling urinary catheters and CAUTI (Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections). CDC provides guidance to facilities for appropriate use and care of indwelling catheters. Included are some CMS and CDC guidelines…please take note of the last bullet on the last page that is bolded and highlighted and visit with your Medical Director related to this recommendation. READ MORE
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HHS Office for Civil Rights Releases Visitation Guidance Resources
Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released the following materials pertaining to visitation guidance:
This initiative aims to avoid religious discrimination, particularly during a public health emergency. These resources remind organizations of their obligation to ensure visitation policies do not discriminate but also effectively communicate visitation restrictions to patients and residents.
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Upcoming Webinar: COVID-19 Immunization Strategies for LTC
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid will host a webinar on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. CT regarding strategies to increase immunization rates in long term care.
This webinar is geared toward nursing home leaders, medical directors, directors of nursing, and infection preventionists interested in collaborating with their staff, residents, and families to maximize COVID-19 vaccination rates at their facilities.
During the webinar, attendees will hear directly from nursing home teams that have developed successful strategies to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and fatigue, schedule onsite vaccination clinics, and address staff turnover to ensure residents receive timely vaccinations.
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Last week’s visit to Brookside Health and Rehab from Congressman Jake LaTurner
Congressman Jake LaTurner visited Brookside Health and Rehab in Overbrook last week. He spoke to owners and administrative staff about their concerns related to Long-Term Care. He spoke with residents, shared stories, and answered their questions about what’s going on in Washington D.C.. Congressman LaTurner also presented words of thanks to the Veterans living at Brookside along with a special card and coin.
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A Message from the President & CEO Linda MowBray: Our Kansas Commitment
Things are beginning to pick up speed in this third week of the Legislative session as more bills are being introduced and hearings are being scheduled.
As mentioned last week, a new version of the “ No Patient Left Behind” bill was introduced in the Senate Public Health and Welfare. That bill did not include long-term care. A similar bill, HB 2548 was introduced in the House Health and Human Services Committee. This one does include long-term care. I’m not seeing anything of great concern but please feel free to reach out to me if you wish to discuss.
On Monday, January 29, 2024, a hearing will be held in the House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee on HB 2562. This is the “protect vulnerable adults from financial exploitation act.” We are not testifying at this time but will be monitoring for implications, if any, for long-term care.
Later that same day in House Social Service Budget Committee, an informal briefing will be present by Kansas Legislative Research on the Interim Committee Recommendations for Nursing Facility Reimbursement Rates.
Thursday, February 1, 2024 is our Aging Services Day at the Capitol. This will be our day to shine a bright light on all of the incredible things you do for Kansans in your care.
The Bethell Joint Committee on HCBS and KanCare Oversight will meet Friday, February 2, 2024, at 9:00am in room 112-N. To watch live or to review later, click here.
KDADS budget will have a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Human Services Subcommittee on February 12, 2024 with recommendation made on February 14, 2024.
KDADS budget will have a hearing in the House Social Services Budget Committee on February 14 with public testimony to be heard on the 15th. Look for more information on that in the coming weeks.
Should you have questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you.
Linda MowBray
President/CEO
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Health at the Capitol: Week 2
Legislators returned to work on Tuesday, Jan. 16, following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and immediately went to work on a tax bill that is on its way to Gov. Laura Kelly. After the somewhat slow start during week one, committees began meeting on their regular schedule during week two and received briefings on many health-related topics, including community paramedicine, palliative care, the community support waiver, homelessness and the rising use of fentanyl in the state.
This edition of Health at the Capitol looks at health-related policy issues announced or discussed during the second week of the session. READ MORE
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Senate Committee Launches Review Of Assisted Living Industry
KFF Health News (1/25, Rau) reports, "A U.S. Senate committee on Thursday launched an examination of assisted living, holding its first hearing in two decades on the industry as leaders of both parties expressed concern about the high cost and mixed quality of the long-term care facilities." Both "Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate Special Committee on Aging said their inquiry aimed to detail the financial practices and quality levels in the industry so that consumers would be better able to choose facilities." In a news release, the National Center for Assisted Living "said the overall quality of facilities is strong and best overseen by states. It acknowledged that the U.S.’ method of funding long-term care is ‘broken’ and that assisted living is ‘out of reach for too many seniors.’"
The Washington Post (1/25, MacMillan, Rowland, 10.52M) reports the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living "pledged after the hearing to ‘support collaboration and transparency among policymakers, providers and the public’ and educate people about the benefits of state regulation." NCAL board member and Gardant Management Solutions Co-President Julie Simpkins "echoed industry talking points during the hearing and warned senators against pursuing uniform standards." Simpkins said, "When we talk about assisted living, it’s important to note that every state, every facility and every resident is different. ... Efforts to standardize all assisted-living communities would be both unworkable and irresponsible for resident care."
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Attention HCBS Stakeholders
The following policies are out for public comment.
- Transition Policy
- Ongoing Monitoring
- HCBS AIR Management
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iQIES ACC S&C Dashboard Enhancements
More Provider Types are Now Available in the Acute and Continuing Care (ACC) Survey and Certification (S&C) Dashboard
The ACC S&C Dashboard has been enhanced to provide users access to more provider types in a centralized location. Users can quickly access S&C data supporting the following provider types: READ MORE
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HCS Assisted Living Report Released
The 2023-2024 Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Report, published by HCS and supported by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), is now available. Overall, long-term care wages continue to increase, albeit at a pace slower than the double-digit increases seen in 2021/2022. This positive industry trend was supported in the three most recent HCS long-term-care Reports on CCRCs, Nursing Homes, and now Assisted Living Communities. All three long-term care sectors also saw turnover rates decline for the second year in a row. READ MORE
Reminder—the discounted rate for NCAL members is $300 (vs the regular price of $375).
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Resident Care Coordinator Training for Nurses in Assisted Living
Assisted Living homes are one of the fastest growing segments of Kansas Long Term Care. Homes that understand the importance of the Resident Care Coordinator know that the right nurse with the right systems can be the answer to providing excellence in resident centered care.
Join KCAL professional nurses for a full day of training specifically designed to give nurses in the state licensed only setting (Assisted Living/Home Plus/Residential Health Care) the tools they need to succeed. From “up-to- date” regulatory information to hints for designing systems, this course will provide “The Right Stuff” for a nurse to succeed as a Resident Care Coordinator.
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Aging Services Day - 2024
2/1/2024 8:30AM - 4:00PM
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Webinar: The Impact of the MDS: Ripple Effect on Reimbursement
2/7/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Webinar: Deconstructing Immediate Jeopardy Mitigation: Navigating Top Risk Areas: Reducing Risks Related to Falls and Other Accident Hazards
2/13/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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OSHA Recordkeeping & New Reporting Requirements
2/13/24 - 2:00PM-3:00PM
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Webinar: The Impact of the MDS: MDS Influence on the Quality Measures
2/14/24 - 1:30PM-2:30PM
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Resident Care Coordinator Training for Nurses in Assisted Living
2/16/24 - 8:30AM-3:30PM in Ottawa, KS
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Administrator in Training (AIT) Program
Looking for an AIT Program? Click here for more details on KHCA's Program.
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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
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