We are exhibiting at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando FL. Come visit us at booth #623 and find out how Gero Nurse Prep can help you demonstrate gerontological nursing competency. Want to know more now? Visit our website at https://www.geronurseprep.com/
Author: admin
RSV: Why It’s Different and Why It Matters for Long Term Care
The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that impacts long term care residents each year. RSV is more common during the fall and winter months, similar to influenza (flu).
RSV Impact
Each year, it is estimated that between 60,000 and 160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized, and 6,000 to 10,000 die due to RSV infection. Similar to the flu and COVID-19, RSV is more dangerous for older adults due to their age, weakened immune systems, and other underlying health conditions. RSV can lead to lung infections, pneumonia, and worsening of other conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
RSV Vaccine
In May of 2023, the first vaccine for RSV was introduced in the United States. The CDC recommends was introduced in the United States. The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine if you are aged 75 or older, or if you are aged 60 to 74 and have a risk factor for severe RSV disease, including living in a long term care facility. The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning if you received the RSV vaccine last year, you do not need to get it again this year.
Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall. This timing ensures you’re protected by the time RSV starts to spread in your community and ensures you get maximum protection during the winter months.
Symptoms of RSV
According to the CDC, people infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include a runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Unlike flu or COVID-19, antiviral treatment is not recommended for RSV. This is one of the reasons that getting vaccinated is so important in reducing the severity of an RSV infection.
Since antiviral treatment is not available, many providers do not test patients for RSV. However, molecular and antigen diagnostic tests do exist. The CDC recommends that providers consider testing for RSV when residents with acute respiratory illness test negative for both influenza and COVID-19.
Infection Control Practices
When residents have any symptoms, facilities should refer to CDC’s Infection Control Basics and apply Transmission Based Precautions.
The bottom line is that RSV poses a threat to long term care residents, and its symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19 and flu. The most important thing providers can do is encourage vaccination among residents for RSV and follow CDC guidance in preventing and managing outbreaks in the facility. The CDC viral respiratory pathogens toolkit is a great resource for handling all three common respiratory viruses.
Visit GetVaccinated.us for additional resources to help prepare for the upcoming respiratory virus season.
HHS has also launched a new campaign to educate the public on the importance of vaccination. The Risk Less, Do More campaign has resources to help providers discuss vaccines and prevention with staff and residents.
Newly Approved COVID-19 Vaccines: What Long Term Care Providers Need to Know
In recent weeks, the country has experienced a surge in COVID-19 cases, marking the largest wave since January. This trend has been mirrored in long term care facilities, with data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing a consistent increase in new COVID-19 cases between May and August 2024. Experts indicate that this rise in COVID-19 cases is due to the emergence of new variants and waning protection from prior vaccines after six months.
The latest variant, known as FLirT, includes the KP.3, KP.3.1.1, and KP.2 strains. Data from the CDC indicates that the KP.3.1.1 variant accounts for nearly 37% of cases, KP.3 follows with 17%, and KP.2.3 represents 14.4% of cases.Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccines. These vaccines have been designed to target the KP.2 strain, providing protection against the currently circulating variants. While the vaccine may not have a significant impact on the current summer wave, it will be crucial as we head into the fall and winter months. It’s important to note that although the vaccine may not prevent infection entirely, it significantly reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19, particularly among older adults and those with chronic conditions.
Long term care residents are especially vulnerable to respiratory viruses due to their age and underlying health conditions. Prioritizing LTC residents for fall respiratory vaccines—including flu, RSV, and COVID-19—will help protect them from severe illness or hospitalization due to these viruses.
The new COVID-19 vaccine is currently available for distribution through retail pharmacies, long term care pharmacies, and other suppliers. LTC providers should contact their LTC pharmacies to order the vaccine and schedule clinics.
For more information, providers can refer to our recent blog post focused on preparing for respiratory virus season.
Visit GetVaccinated.us for resources to help prepare for the upcoming respiratory virus season.
Celebrate Inspiring Generations During National Assisted Living Week
National Assisted Living Week® (NALW) 2024 is just around the corner! Have you made plans yet to celebrate “Inspiring Generations” next month?
The NALW website offers valuable resources to help kickstart (or continue) planning for September 8-14. Discover a variety of NALW products that your staff will love, graphics and logos to help develop materials for fun activities and celebrations, and a promotional toolkit with ideas on how to share this special week with local communities. The NALW Planning Guide is filled with activity ideas to make your celebration special—from honoring grandparents on their day to bringing generations together for fun, games, and great food.
Created by NCAL in 1995, this year’s theme – “Inspiring Generations” – offers assisted living staff, communities, residents, and families the opportunity to look at how assisted living has evolved and grown, inspired by the residents and those who care for them. This is a chance to listen and learn from each other, share stories and wisdom, and find inspiration from those around you.
A heartfelt thank you to this year’s official sponsor, Select Rehabilitation. Their commitment to honoring the outstanding caregivers, staff, and residents in assisted living is truly appreciated. Be sure to visit www.nalw.org to watch a special video message and learn more about the valuable services they offer.
Have a fun week, and don’t forget to share photos and videos of your celebrations on social media using #NALW.
Distinguish Quality Measure Exclusions from Clinical Standards in Long Term Care
In the long term care profession, understanding the differences between Quality Measure (QM) exclusions outlined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and clinical standards of practice can be challenging.
Read more by going to https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Distinguish-Quality-Measure-Exclusions-from-Clinical-Standards-in-Long-Term-Care.aspx
Survey Tip: Transfer and Discharge Pt. 2
A new survey tip has been posted to the AHCA Survey Regulatory page for your review. In the Survey Tip section, on the Survey Regulatory page, you will find tips related to recently noted survey trends. In the latest survey tip, you will find information about regulations for transfer and discharge of residents. The tip sheet provides tips regarding F625- Notice of bed-hold policy and return.
For more tips related to transfer and discharge, please visit the Discharges- Making the Safest Transition for Your Residents webinar on ahcancalED. Email any questions regarding survey prep to regulatory@ahca.org.
Health Care’s Value Revolution Focusing on Quality Over Quantity
Provider financial returns have long been driven by the quantity of services provided, not the outcomes that were achieved. However, as we journey deeper into the 21st century, it’s becoming clear that this volume-driven approach is no longer sustainable, nor beneficial to patients.
Survey Tip – Transfer and Discharge
A new survey tip has been posted to the AHCA Survey Regulatory page for your review. In the Survey Tip section on the Survey Regulatory page, you will find tips related to recently noted survey trends. In the latest survey tip, you will find information about regulations for the transfer and discharge of residents. The tip sheet provides tips regarding F623, Notice Before Transfer.
For more tips related to transfer and discharge, please visit the “Discharges – Making the Safest Transition for Your Residents” webinar on ahcancalED. Email any questions regarding survey prep to regulatory@ahca.org.
Are Robots the Solution to Senior Care Staffing Shortages?
The challenges we face as senior care executives are as multifaceted as they are pressing. Among the most formidable is the persistent staffing shortage that plagues our industry.
While the worst staffing shortages occurred during the pandemic, its reverberations continue to ripple through our operations. COVID-19 laid bare the vulnerabilities inherent in our current model of senior care staffing, exposing the precarious balance upon which our ability to deliver essential services rests. The sudden onset of the pandemic exacerbated an already tenuous situation, with many health care workers forced to grapple with increased workloads, heightened health risks, and unprecedented levels of stress and burnout. Even today, 94 percent of senior care facilities find recruitment difficult, with 67 percent reporting it’s due to a lack of interested or qualified candidates.
Read more at https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Are-Robots-the-Solution-to-Senior-Care-Staffing-Shortages.aspx
Don’t Let Popcorn Affect Your Next Life Safety Survey
The only thing better than eating fresh popcorn is enjoying the mesmerizing entertainment it provides during the explosive transformation of the kernels. How that transformation occurs, however, can have an impact on life safety compliance and subsequently your survey results.
Find the full article at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Don%E2%80%99t-Let-Popcorn-Affect-Your-Next-Life-Safety-Survey.aspx