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Preparations for the Upcoming Flu Season

All eyes and resources in the long term care profession currently are focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, and rightfully so. This virus has spread through facilities like nothing seen before.
Unlike COVID-19, the flu season arrives like clockwork on a yearly basis. Unfortunately, in addition to the ongoing pandemic, flu season is looming just around the corner. Now more than ever, facilities need to be proactive in protecting their residents.
This article spotlights four areas for facilities to focus on for influenza prevention and control this fall, while also remaining in substantial compliance with the Focused Infection Control Survey from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

“Alarming Spike” in COVID-19 Cases Seen in SNFs.

A new report released today by the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) shows skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) experiencing an “alarming spike” in COVID-19 cases due to community spread among the general population. The findings are based on recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

http://www.providermagazine.com/news/Pages/2020/AUGUST/Community-Spread-Causes-Spike-in-new-COVID-19-Cases-in-Skilled-Nursing-Centers.aspx

LTC Facilities Should Strictly Adhere To CDC’s COVID-19 Guidelines As Much As Feasible

Post Pandemic Litigation For Skilled Care And Assisted Living Facilities  has already begun. Find out what facilities should do to protect themselves.

http://www.providermagazine.com/columns/Pages/2020/-Post-Pandemic-Litigation-For-Skilled-Care-And-Assisted-Living-Facilities.aspx

National Skilled Nursing Care Week

Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967, National Skilled Nursing Care Week® (NSNCW) recognizes the essential role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s frail, elderly, and disabled.
This year, while it is more important than ever to celebrate NSNCW and recognize the staff and residents in our skilled nursing care centers across the nation, it is a challenge to figure out how best to do so. Current social distancing rules and the inability of friends and family to enter the buildings has changed much of the day to day life of the staff and the residents, and no one knows how long this is going to continue. One thing is certain, though, and that is that staff are playing a critical role in caring for residents and saving lives, and that deserves to be honored and celebrated.
NSNCW is also a time to recognize your residents, their special relationships with staff, and the family members that all make up your unique and wonderful communities. Keeping your community connected through the use of technology and social media is a great way to prevent social isolation and lift everyone’s spirits.
AHCA encourages you to explore the following resources for ideas and suggestions on how you might celebrate despite the limitations of social distancing. Check out our Suggested Activities​ for ideas and suggestions on ways you can celebrate NSNCW and the bookstore for special NSNCW products. You can also view, upload, and share messages of support at CareNotCOVID.com, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter using #NSNCW and #CareNotCOVID to share activity ideas, videos, and messages.​​
For the latest information and resources about COVID-19, visit the ahcancal.org/coronavirus​.

Making hospital transitions safer during the pandemic

Care providers can take action to make hospital and emergency room transfers safer for residents during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a group of eldercare experts.

These experts have published a comprehensive guideline on safe and effective transitions that includes the following checklist points (summarized):

  • Medically stable patients who are appropriately isolated should not be transferred to the emergency department. Multidisciplinary teamwork can support providing care in place.
  • Address advance care planning with every patient and family in the context of COVID-19.
  • Carefully weigh the risks and benefits of transferring residents with a febrile respiratory illness to an emergency department. This includes an evaluation of the patient’s current state of health, patient-centered goals, and an assessment of prognosis in the context of COVID-19 illness.
  • Consider “forward triage” when considering patients for care transitions. This involves assessing the resident’s level of acuity. This should involve a conversation with the receiving emergency department physician.
  • Warm hand-offs are critical. Nursing home and emergency department providers need to communicate prior to a transfer and as medical decisions are being made, including the ability of the nursing home to safely accept a returning resident.

Read the full article at https://www.mcknights.com/news/clinical-news/making-hospital-transitions-safer-during-the-pandemic/

Careers in Aging Week is April 19 to 25, 2020.

People are living longer and populations are aging worldwide. The demand for professionals with expertise in aging is growing rapidly. Careers in Aging Week (CIAW) is observed every year by businesses, clinics, coalitions, organizations, universities, colleges, and other parties across the world. The goal of CIAW is to bring greater awareness and visibility to the wide-ranging career opportunities in the field of aging.

Save $100 On Gero Nurse Prep!

The Proof is in the Outcomes: RNs Trained in Gerontological Nursing Get Better Results!

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2019 shows that SNFs that employ at least one American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board certified RN experienced:

  • Higher average SNF VBP Performance Scores (44.2 versus 34.4 national average)
  • Fewer survey deficiencies
  • Fewer IJ citations
  • Lower rehospitalization rates
  • Lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics
  • Higher CMS 5-Star rating

Find out more at  https://bit.ly/2VJRbin

Register between now and April 30th using the promo code 2020RN (case sensitive) and save $100 off each enrollment. Lock in this special price by enrolling now and taking up to 60 days to pay! Contact us at concne@unmc.edu for more details.