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Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Office of Inspector General

Division of Health Care

We’re pleased to share that the application link for Assisted Living Community (ALC) certification is now live on the Office of Inspector General website.

If you are planning to apply for ALC designation, you can now complete and submit your application online. Be sure to review the eligibility criteria and documentation requirements before starting your application.

If you have questions or need assistance, please refer to the instructions on the site or contact the OIG team for support.

COMING SOON!

2025 Minimum Data Set Training

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Inspector General, Division of Health Care, along with Myers & Stauffer LC, will host a state-sponsored training to provide CNF care staff and state surveyors with an in-depth overview of the MDS Resident Assessment Instrument.

This training will offer CEUs for nurses and administrators, and will be provided in two separate, day-long in-person training events:



Basic Training for Beginners

Monday, September 15, 2025



MDS Coordinator Update Training for Beginners & Advanced

Monday September 22, 2025

University of Louisville – Shelby Campus

University Center

450 N Whittington Pkwy

Louisville, KY 40222

Stay tuned for upcoming registration information and updates about this training opportunity!

UTI Management in Long-Term Care: Applying McGeer Criteria for Targeted UTI Treatment

Alyssa Perez PharmD, Reyna VanGilder PhD PharmD, Fatima Ali PharmD,

& Muhammad Babar MD

Key Takeaways:

• The McGeer Criteria can help guide if antibiotic treatment is needed for a UTI.
• In most instances, asymptomatic bacteriuria does not need antibiotic therapy.
• Ensure the antibiotic is appropriate for the suspected UTI-causing bacteria, if a culture is not available.
• Avoid broad-spectrum agents to reduce antibiotic resistance, if possible.
• Impaired kidney function may require antibiotic dose adjustment.
• Consider the BEERS criteria when choosing antibiotic regimen for older adults.

Introduction:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are estimated to be the second most common infection in long-term care facilities (LTCF). There are a variety of risk factors that lead to increased UTI in LTCF residents, including but not limited to, decreased mobility, pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, dehydration, catheter use, increased incontinence, and age-related changes to the urinary tract.

In older adults, a UTI can present with atypical symptoms, such as acute mental status changes, including inattention, fatigue, or confusion. Moreover, in older adults with cognitive dysfunction, UTIs are among the most common infections in long-term care (LTC) settings and can be difficult to diagnose in older adults. Distinguishing between asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTI is crucial to prevent unnecessary antibiotic use, which can lead to resistance and side effects from antibiotic use (e.g., diarrhea, nausea).

To keep reading, click HERE!

The Bluegrass Activity Director’s Leadership Academy Project offers LeadingAge Kentucky’s 36-hour on-demand Activity training course that fulfills all state objectives and provides a certificate upon completion. This course is available free of charge to one individual per KY CMS certified nursing facility each year—with both virtual and in-person options available. Participants will receive a confirmation email and tentative agenda the week prior to the course. If your facility is not eligible for CMP funding, contact Julianna Sims at (502) 992-4380 or jsims@leadingageky.org for details.

CLICK TO REGISTER

Free Training for Nursing Facility Staff

The Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health in Nursing Facilities (COE-NF) was established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It provides mental health and substance use training, customized technical assistance and resources to certified Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility staff who care for residents with a variety of behavioral health conditions at absolutely no cost.

Check out resources today!

www.nursinghomebehavioralhealth.org

Division of Health Care Contact Information

Central Office

Carrie Storms, Director

Kevin Byrd, Assistant Director

Marissia Izlar, Assistant Director

Andrea Willhite, Assistant Director

275 E. Main St., 5E-A Frankfort, KY 40621

Phone: 502-564-7963

Fax: 502-564-6546

Western Enforcement Branch

Terri Gipson, Regional Program Manager

Samuel Ellsworth, Human Services Program Branch Manager

901 B South Main Street, Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Phone: 270-889-6052

Fax: 270-889-6089

Northern Enforcement Branch

Chuck Ballou, Regional Program Manager

Carmen Ferguson, Human Services Program Branch Manager

L & N Building 10-W, 908 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203

Phone: 502-595-4958

Fax: 502-595-4540

Southern Enforcement Branch

Phyllis Monhollen, Regional Program Manager

Casey Shelley, Human Services Program Branch Manager

116 Commerce Ave., London, KY 40744

Phone: 606-330-2030

Fax: 606-330-2054

Eastern Enforcement Branch

Gae Vanlandingham, Regional Program Manager

Will Hendrickson, Human Services Program Branch Manager

455 Park Place, Suite 120A, Lexington, KY 40511

Phone: 859-246-2301

Fax: 859-246-2307

Kentucky's Top 10 Citations

for Nursing Homes

Health Care

Life Safety Code

Emergency Preparedness

Informal Appeal of Survey Findings

Every Long Term Care provider has the right to both an informal and formal appeal process following receipt of a completed Form CMS-2567. There are two informal appeal processes: Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Independent IDR (IIDR).

Interested in Serving on an IDR Panel?

Kentucky requires one member of the IDR panel to be "a person currently engaged in the provision of Long Term Care services who has no affiliation with the provider disputing a deficiency." Typically, a Long Term Care Administrator is on each IDR panel. There is no payment or travel reimbursement for an Administrator serving on a panel. Administrators will be rotated. If a Long Term Care Administrator is interested in serving on a panel, a confidentiality statement must be signed prior to the participation in the first IDR panel.

Please complete the Confidentiality Agreement and submit via email, fax, or mail to:

All certified nursing facilities are required to sign up for ePOC. Please be diligent about keeping your account and password up to date. All correspondence is handled in the ePOC system, including the plan of correction. Furthermore, if there is a change in administrator, it is incumbent upon the facility to update the system.

Click here for the CMS security rules.

If your facility is not yet signed up, see the Account Setup instructions.

Not sure if your facility has any ePOC accounts, or have other questions? E-mail ePOC.Support@ky.gov or contact Zakary Carter, ASPEN Coordinator, at Zakary.Carter@ky.gov.



Have you notified your residents?

Click the link below for the contact list for various agencies:

REQUIRED Agency Contact Information for Residents of LTC Facilities

Which Branch is Serving You? 

To provide the highest level of service, the Division of Health Care operates through four regional offices. Knowing the appropriate Branch to contact with questions and concerns will ensure you receive maximum service in minimum time. Review links below for detailed information.

Regional Map

Contact Information

CMS Survey and Certification memoranda, guidance, clarifications and instructions to State Survey Agencies and CMS Regional Offices.

Policy and Memos 

Transfer/Discharge Hearing Appeals

Please submit your requests for transfer/discharge hearing appeals to Secretary Eric C. Friedlander, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, by emailing:

ITD.APP@ky.gov  

LTC Facility Self-Reported

Incidents & Complaints

Email addresses were established for communications regarding LTC Facility Self-Reported Incidents and for use by residents and the general public to report possible violations of regulatory requirements. Click Here for the email addresses and additional contact information. 

Quality, Safety & Education Portal

CMS's QSEP provides the full curriculum of surveyor training and guidance on health care facility regulations. All training is available on-demand on a top-notch self-service portal. 24/7 access means you have the freedom to learn what you want, where you want, when you want.



Employment Opportunities 

To search and apply for positions within the Office of Inspector General, please visit the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet's web page by clicking below.

Cabinet for Health and Family Services

Office of Inspector General

Division of Health Care 

DHC Leadership Team:

Tricia Steward

Inspector General

Carrie Storms

Director

Kevin Byrd

Assistant Director

Marissia Izlar

Assistant Director

Andrea Willhite

Assistant Director

The Office of Inspector General is the regulatory and licensing agency for all health care, day care, and long-term care facilities and child adoption/child-placing agencies in the commonwealth.

If you would like more information, please visit our website. 

If you have an idea for a future article, please contact Melissa Richard.

Commonwealth of Kentucky | Office of Inspector General | 275 East Main St. 5E-A, Frankfort, KY 40621