Celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week: May 13-19, 2018

Established by the American Health Care Association (AHCA) in 1967 and always beginning on Mother’s Day, National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) provides an opportunity to recognize the role of skilled nursing care centers in caring for America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The 2018 NSNCW theme announced by AHCA, “Celebrating Life’s Stories”, serves as a tribute to life’s most significant events, relationships and experiences that shape the unique perspectives of residents, families, staff, and volunteers in long term and post-acute care. ​

From May 13-19, 2018, centers will be encouraged to collect individual narratives to cultivate a shared sense of purpose at the center and in the surrounding community.

Skilled nursing care centers and members of the public can now download the 2018 NSNCW toolkit, which includes promotional resources to help increase engagement and participation during the observance by going to  https://www.ahcancal.org/events/national_skilled_nursing_care_week/Pages/default.aspx

Additional promotional materials available include graphics and a one-page flyer, as well as a planning guide and product catalog focused on “Celebrating Life’s Stories”, which is available for download here. Skilled nursing care centers and members of the public may visit the AHCA store directly here to purchase 2018 products.

Please feel free to follow us on Facebook here​ and share activity ideas for the observance on social media with the hashtag, #NSNCW.

Prepared Nurses Improve Outcomes.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that having more nurses prepared with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the bedside improved the likelihood of positive outcomes for all patients, but it had a much greater effect for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). Dr. Elizabeth White and her colleagues from the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the University of Pennsylvania Health System are the first to examine the effects of clinician education on surgical outcomes for patients with ADRD.

RNs with Strong Gerontological Nursing Skills Help Reduce Rehospitalizations.

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2016 found that the rehospitalization rates in nursing facilities with at least one RN certified in gerontological nursing by the ANCC consistently have run at least two percentage points lower than the national average since 2011. AHCA/NCAL believes that assisted living settings may experience similar results by increasing their RNs’ gerontological expertise.

Read more at: http://www.longtermcareleader.com/2018/04/rns-with-strong-gerontological-nursing.html

Time is running out on the highly popular spring sale on AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep. Save $100 off the regular registration fee now through April 30 by using promo code QUALITY18 (all caps).

 

Celebrate Certified Nurses on March 19 by Giving the Gift of Knowledge.

Certified Nurses Day™, held annually on March 19, honors nurses worldwide who contribute to better patient outcomes through national board certification in their specialty. A registered nurse (RN) license allows nurses to practice. Certification affirms advanced knowledge, skill, and practice to meet the challenges of modern nursing.

Read more at http://www.longtermcareleader.com/2018/03/celebrate-certified-nurses-on-march-19.html

Are You Prepared?

The easily recognized Scout Motto is “Be Prepared,” so is your facility? Even though no one wishes for disaster, it is imperative and required that every employee be ready for anything if their care facility is at risk. How long will it take you to get residents sheltered from a tornado? Are there security measures in place for gunfire? Are you ready for when every conceivable step in your plan is trumped by escalating disaster?

Download the eBook: ALWAYS SAFE, NEVER SORRY: Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Long-Term Care Facilities and find out.