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HealthCap® Offers Free Tools and Resources to Help Reduce Risk

HealthCap’s Resource and Education Center offers a bounty of free educational resources and tools to help long term care providers deliver quality care and reduce risk. AHCA/NCAL members are encouraged to take advantage of these quality risk management resources including policies and procedures, toolkits, and continuing education credits.

AHCA/NCAL has embraced HealthCap®​ for more than a decade as a premier provider of liability insurance that is solely dedicated to serving senior care communities. HealthCap® clients have the fewest liability claims in the industry, and HealthCap settles claims below the industry average.

Stop by Booth # 806 in the Expo Hall at AHCA/NCAL’s annual convention in Denver October 1-4 and meet HealthCap’s experts.  ​

How to Interact With an OSHA Inspector

AHCA/NCAL has published a new resource on preparing for inspections from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). This comprehensive resource provides members with information on how to prepare for an OSHA inspection and avoid citations for violating standards.
Planning for an inspection in advance will make it go more smoothly, allow you to be in control and create a positive impression on the OSHA officer, all of which will result in avoidance of or a lesser citation. Visit the AHCA/NCAL OSHA website​ for more information.

​https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/How-to-Interact-With-an-OSHA-Inspector-.aspx

When Residents Bring Substance Use Disorders with Them.

Facilities, staff, and families must work together to recognize and treat addiction and substance use disorders in LTC communities. Individualized plans are needed to provide necessary pain management without giving in to drug-seeking behaviors.

https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2023/Fall/Pages/When-Residents-Bring-Substance-Use-Disorders-with-Them.aspx

National Assisted Living Week 2023 is Almost Here!

National Assisted Living Week® (NALW​) 2023 is quickly approaching, so make plans now to celebrate! Gerald Hamilton, Chair at the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), has a few words of encouragement in this short video message to help you get started.

The Ongoing War on Infections

Infectious diseases will continue to present challenges for long term care. While vaccines and treatments for COVID-19 have had a positive impact, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other infections are creating concerns and demanding attention. The good news is that we know more than ever about infection prevention and control, and there are a plethora of tools, resources, and best practices to rely on.

Learn more at https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2023/Spring/Pages/The-Ongoing-War-on-Infections.aspx

Innovative Solutions for Challenges in Infection Prevention and Control

Infection prevention in skilled nursing facilities is essential for the safety of residents, staff, and visitors to minimize the communal spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These facilities are home to some of our most vulnerable populations, including older adults and individuals with typically at least one chronic medical condition.

Read more at https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Innovative-Solutions-for-Challenges-in-Infection-Prevention-and-Control.aspx

OSHA Releases Final Rule on Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) published a final rule on Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses. This rule, effective January 1, 2024, modifies existing requirements for reporting workplace injuries and illnesses. This rule directly impacts long term care (LTC) facilities (skilled nursing, assisted living, and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled (ID/DD)) with more than 100 employees.

https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/OSHA-Releases-Final-Rule-on-Improving-Tracking-of-Workplace-Injuries-and-Illnesses.aspx

AHCA Publishes New Behavioral Health Resource

AHCA’s Clinical Practice Committee has published a Quick Guide to Behavioral Health Resources in LTC. This guide provides a comprehensive list of free Behavioral Health resources for Long Term Care (LTC) providers. LTC providers seeking assistance and support on promoting or managing behavioral health issues among residents are encouraged to check out this guide​.
These resources can be used directly by the facility and shared with residents and their families. ​

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Preparing for Fall Vaccinations in Long Term Care

As fall approaches, long-term care (LTC) providers should be preparing to vaccinate their residents and staff against common respiratory viruses. There are three vaccines that providers should be aware of and prepared to offer to their staff and residents:
  • Influenza
  • COVID-19
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Below is a summary of clinical considerations and administration of each vaccine, other regulatory considerations, and resources to help promote uptake. This reflects information available to date, but more information is expected to be released in the coming months from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), Health and Human Services (HHS), and other relevant agencies. This blog post will be continually updated as new recommendations and considerations are released. 

Bullying Among Seniors: A Prevention and Surveillance Guide – Updated Resource!

Bullying isn’t limited to the playground. Assisted living communities care for millions of seniors with diverse backgrounds and unique needs and behaviors. Bullying and its adverse effects have received greater focus in recent years, creating a need to have systems and processes in place to prevent bullying among seniors living in long term care.
For this reason, NCAL has updated the Bullying Among Seniors: A Prevention and Surveillance Guide. This guide will help organizations understand:
  • What bullying is
  • How to identify bullying
  • Why bullying might occur
  • Victim risk factors
  • How to create a positive environment
  • How to respond to incidents of bullying