Gero Nurse Prep – AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep

Strengthening the Chain of Wound Prevention and Care.

Senior care facilities place a high priority on person-centered care and attending to the body, mind, and spirit of the whole resident. One critical facet of that care is skin health and wound management. The good news is that there are more technologies and treatments, as well as certification and training programs, to help maximize outcomes and quality of life.

Find out more by going to https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2023/Winter/Pages/Strengthening-the-Chain-of-Wound-Prevention-and-Care.aspx

Boost Your Geriatric Care Competency for Less Through November 17

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through November 17, 2023 with promo code GNP23 (all caps).

New research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 finds compelling reasons to consider the Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC Board certification for RNs. The new findings closely mirror 2016 and 2019 research results. Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN experienced:

Lower rehospitalization rates for short stay and long stay residents
Fewer deficiencies on average
Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
More stars — twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (44% versus 19%)

Just For RNs: Boost Your Geriatric Care Competency for Less Through November 17

Lower rehospitalization rates for short stay and long stay residents
Fewer deficiencies on average
Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
More stars — twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility (44% versus 19%)

Deadline Approaching to Submit Comments on Proposed Minimum Staffing Rule

The formal comment period on the CMS minimum staffing proposed rule is nearing an end. Though AHCA/NCAL met its original goal of submitting 10,000 comments to CMS from members during the 60-day comment period, a new goal has been set to reach 15,000 comments to have a greater impact with CMS and the Administration.

With just under two weeks until the end of the comment period, this is a great opportunity to share with CMS why this rule won’t work. Submitting a comment is easy! Just visit our Action Center, where there are details on what to write in the comments, including specific asks for CMS regarding the rule. Comments are due November 6. Assisted living providers are encouraged to submit comments, as well.

For information on the effects of the minimum staffing proposed rule on skilled nursing, view our Issue Brief. For details on the impact of the minimum staffing proposed rule on assisted living, view our NCAL Issue Brief.

For additional information or questions, please contact Matt Smyth or Heather Posthumus.

New Resource Available #GetVaccinated Reimbursement Guide

AHCA/NCAL unveiled a new resource to encourage and support vaccinations in long term care facilities this season. Their aim is to ensure that every member of the long term care community is well-informed about vaccine payment options, making it easier to prioritize their health and that of their residents.

Find out more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-Resource-Available-GetVaccinated-Reimbursement-Guide.aspx

Gerontological Nursing Certification Improves Care Outcomes and Reduces Citations, Research Shows

Recent research suggests that board certification in gerontological nursing offers immense benefits for nursing facilities and residents alike. According to an analysis of U.S.-based providers conducted by AHCA/NCAL this year, facilities that employ at least one RN with ANCC board certification in gerontological nursing enjoy numerous advantages over the national average: higher five-star ratings and quality ratings, lower short-stay and long-stay rehospitalization rates, fewer deficiencies, and fewer costly immediate-jeopardy citations.

Despite the clear advantages of board-certification in gerontological nursing, however, only 1 percent of RNs have this credential. The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Gero Nurse Prep course is designed to change this.

Read the full article at https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Gerontological-Nursing-Certification-Improves-Care-Outcomes-and-Reduces-Citations,-Research-Shows.aspx

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.

Learn more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Preparing-for-Fall-Vaccinations-in-Long-Term-Care.aspx

The Spring Gero Nurse Prep Sale is Almost Over!

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 June 1, 2023 with promo code GNP4QUALITY (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.

Repeated research conducted by AHCA/NCAL since 2016 finds 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:

Fewer deficiencies on average
Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
More stars — nearly twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility
Lower re-hospitalization rates

Gero Nurse Prep 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 95% 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. And don’t forget to use the GNP4QUALITY promo code when registering by June 1 to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

Just For LTC RNs – The Spring Gero Nurse Prep Sale is On!

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 June 1, 2023 with promo code GNP4QUALITY (all caps).

Fewer deficiencies on average
Fewer Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) citations
More stars — nearly twice as likely to be a CMS 5-Star facility
Lower re-hospitalization rates

The Winning Combination of Tech and Touch In Falls Prevention

Implementing a Tech-Plus-Touch Approach
In building a prevention-focused mindset surrounding falls amongst elderly residents, long term care and assisted living communities can benefit from establishing a tech-plus-touch approach. This type of approach leverages technology and digital means to nurture genuine human connections. Tech-plus-touch can radically improve the mobility and health status of seniors while increasing their emotional well-being and confidence. This, along with the ability to monitor functional mobility in real-time and identify changes early can greatly decrease the risk of falling and the number of adverse events.