Author: admin

4 Ways to Reduce Fall Risk in the Most Vulnerable Hours.

​Data shows that fall risk peaks between 6-9 pm and again from 3-6 am, when senior care staffing is reduced. What’s more, 50 percent of residents who fall overnight will have another overnight fall. These statistics become even more critical as they are applied to those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia—as the sun goes down, these residents are at even greater risk for falls as they experience sundowning, increased restlessness, anxiety, and disorientation—all of which can become more intense as the diseases progress.

Read more at https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/4-Ways-To-Reduce-Fall-Risk-in-the-Most-Vulnerable-Hours.aspx

Grow Your Gerontological Nursing Skills with Gero Nurse Prep!

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training that leads to board certification in gerontological nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for RNs.
Research released by AHCA/NCAL in 2019 found compelling reasons to consider the AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:
  • Two fewer deficiencies on average (5.71 citations versus the 7.55 national average in last cycle)
  • Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations (1.60 versus the 2.27 national average)
  • More stars — nearly twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (50% versus the 28% national average)
  • Significantly lower re-hospitalization rates
  • Significantly lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics
  • Significantly higher average SNF Value Based Purchasing scores (44.17 versus 34.42 for the nation). ​
Gero Nurse Prep also makes a big difference even for those RNs who are not interested in pursuing ANCC Board certification. Nurses who complete Gero Nurse Prep show an average 24 percent increase between their pre- and post-course test scores. Quite simply, Gero Nurse Prep delivers smarter RNs who are better prepared to deliver quality geriatric nursing care in skilled nursing and assisted living settings. Both two-year RNs and BSNs can take the Gero Nurse Prep course and sit for the ANCC exam.
RNs have one year to complete Gero Nurse Prep and earn 30 quality nursing contact hours – enough to meet the criteria for taking the ANCC certification exam. Gero Nurse Prep grads who choose to sit for the ANCC gerontological nursing certification exam ($395 separate fee paid to ANCC) have a pass rate of 96% on their first try. RNs who pass the ANCC exam can then use the GERO-BC™ credential after their RN credential.
Watch this video or visit the website at geronurseprep.com to learn more about this online program designed to help RNs increase their geriatric nursing skills and to pass the ANCC exam. Remember to use the AHCAPAYLESS promo code when you register to save $100 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

CDC Provides New Initiative to Increase COVID-19 Vaccination in LTC Settings

​​

​​With increasing cases of respiratory disease, including COVID-19, this winter, it is imperative to encourage residents, staff, and family members to receive the updated (bivalent) COVID-19 boosters.

A recent CDC report​ showed:
  • Adults ages 65 years and older:
    • ​Continue to have the highest COVID-19-related mortality rates.
    • The COVID-19-related death rate among unvaccinated people who are 65 years and older has consistently been higher than the rate among vaccinated people.
  • Adults ages 85 years and older:
    • ​Remain at particularly high risk of dying of COVID-19.
    • The proportion of COVID-19–related deaths accounted for by adults in this age group increasing during April–September 2022 from 28% to around 40% of COVID-19–related deaths. ​

Find out more by going to https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CDC-Provides-New-Initiative-to-Increase-COVID-19-Vaccination-in-LTC-Settings.aspx

Preventing Falls and Injuries in Older Adults

Each year, more than one in four older adults aged 65 and older experience a fall, resulting in about 3 million emergency department visits, 950,000 hospitalizations, and 32,000 deaths. Falls are often preventable if you know what to screen for and what the risk factors for falls include. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation have launched a toolkit that includes Falls Free Check-ups. The goal of the CDC’s toolkit and resources is to prevent and protect older adults from sustaining falls and fall-related injuries by developing and implementing a risk factor prevention program.

Learn more about the program and the CDC Foundation here​.

Minimizing the Risk of Workplace Violence

Workplace violence is recognized as a hazard in the health care industry and​ can affect workers, residents, and visitors. Workplace violence includes any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behaviors that occur at the workplace. Taking the following steps can help you minimize the risk for violence in the workplace. These steps are considered best practice and are NOT required.

Read more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Minimizing-the-Risk-of-Workplace-Violence.aspx

NSHN Up to Date Vaccination Status: Surveillance Definition Change for LTC Facilities

The CDC held a webinar recently regarding up to date vaccination status. The definition of up to date was updated in September 2022 to indicate:
  • Individuals are considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines during the surveillance period of September 26, 2022 – December 25, 2022 (Quarter 4) for the purpose of NHSN surveillance if they meet ONE the following criteria: ​
    • Received their last booster dose less than 2 months ago, or
    • Completed their primary series less than 2 months ago
  • This definition is the same regardless of immunocompromised status

See the full article at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/NSHN-Up-to-Date-Vaccination-Status-Surveillance-Definition-Change-for-LTC-Facilities.aspx