The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has published a three-part audio series on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.
Tag: #AHCANCAL
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
Facilitating Smoother Care Transitions
Transitioning patients between settings has always been a bit of a roller coaster: improving, then facing challenges, then put on the back burner. The COVID pandemic brought the issue front and center, and many hope this is the start of a smooth ride. The need for clear, real-time communication between settings became a priority, and many organizations developed new systems and processes. However, while we’ve made strides, there are still gaps that need to be filled and opportunities for improvement.
The Fall Gero Nurse Prep Sale Ends November 15
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrant’s can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through November 15, 2022 with promo code ROP3GNP (all caps).
Find out more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/The-Fall-Gero-Nurse-Prep-Sale-Ends-November-15.aspx
Listen to HealthCap’s Free Podcast Highlighting ROP3 Changes.
CMS began surveying against Phase 3 of Requirements of Participation for Nursing Homes on October 24, 2022. With 180 pages of guidance, revisions, and updates affecting 52 F-tags, many providers are feeling anxious about compliance with the new guidance.
Angie Szumlinski, Director of Risk Management for HealthCap, recently spoke with Crystal Bowens, Associate AHCA/NCAL VP of Regulatory Services, about the updates. You can hear from these industry experts by listening to the free podcast here. As a reminder, AHCA/NCAL members can always reach out with their compliance questions via email at Regulatory@AHCA.org.
CMS Releases Revisions to the Special Focus Facility Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a revised Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program policy memo QS0-23-01-NH and updated the monthly SFF posting. These revisions are meant to increase the requirements for completion of the program and enforcement for facilities that do not demonstrate improvement.
Save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep and Become a Gerontological Nurse Leader!
The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrant’s can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through November 15, 2022 with promo code ROP3GNP (all caps).
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 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)
- 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)