From the faculty and staff of the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep program.
Tag: GeroNursePrep
Stay Informed. Stay Protected. New Resources for Long Term Care Providers
With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, it’s important to be well-prepared against respiratory viruses.
For the first time, vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness caused by all three of the major fall and winter respiratory viruses—flu, COVID-19, and RSV. People may choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit if they are eligible, making it easier to stay up to date with CDC-recommended vaccines, while others may prefer to get their recommended vaccines at separate visits.
For those people, there is no need to wait a specific amount of time after receiving one vaccine to get the next one. Getting all three vaccines at the same visit can help protect people who are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from flu, COVID-19, or RSV or who may not be able to return to their provider.
Scientific studies during the last three years indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. Additionally, coadministration of flu vaccines and the new RSV vaccines was found to be safe in clinical trials. While there are no clinical trial data on getting all three vaccines at the same time, CDC is continuing to monitor the safety of RSV vaccines, as it does for all vaccines. Getting multiple vaccines at the same visit may increase the risk of some side effects from vaccination. When side effects do occur, they are typically mild to moderate, like arm pain, swelling, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are usually short-lived.
Whether individuals choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit or at separate visits, the most important thing is that they get all vaccines recommended to protect themselves against these and other potentially serious illnesses this fall and winter.
Additional Resources Available on #GetVaccinated Website.
- Explore “Vaccine Information for Residents and Staff,” a hot topic brief for providers that emphasizes the crucial role of providing residents, their families and staff Vaccine Information Sheets (VIS).
- Discover new insights in “Pneumonia Vaccine Timing for Adults” to help ensure adults stay up to date with pneumococcal vaccinations.
Encourage Action During National Influenza Vaccination Week
National Influenza Vaccination Week, which runs from December 4-8, is the perfect time to get a flu shot. This week highlights the importance of flu vaccines which are crucial in reducing the risk of illness, hospitalization, and even death.
New Resources Available to Enhance Vaccination Efforts in Long Term Care
AHCA/NCAL is happy to introduce new resources available on the #GetVaccinated website, including the latest “Frequently Asked Questions,” “Vaccine Co-Administration in Long Term Care,” and “Offering and Documenting Vaccines in Long Term Care.”
In the ever-evolving landscape of long term care, staying informed and equipped with the latest resources is paramount for providers.
Proposed Minimum staffing requirements for SNFs from CMS – What You Need to Know!
Thanks to one of our alert Gero Nurse Prep students for reminding us of the importance of this pending regulation.
To get the Fast Facts on the implications of this unfunded mandate, go here:
https://www.ahcancal.org/Advocacy/IssueBriefs/NEW%20unfunded%20staffing%20mandate_IB.pdf
AHCA/NCAL has set a goal of submitting more than 10,000 comments on this proposed rule between now and November 6th. To make your voice heard, go to:
https://www.votervoice.net/AHCA/Campaigns/103471/Respond [votervoice.net]
Looking to Improve Geriatric Nursing Competence & Outcomes?
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).
Find out more at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Just-For-RNs-Looking-to-Improve-Geriatric-Nursing-Competence-&-Outcomes.aspx
You can also meet the Gero Nurse Prep experts next Monday and Tuesday in Booth # 507 at Delivering Solutions 23 – AHCA/NCAL’s annual convention and expo. And don’t forget to use the GNP23 promo code when registering by November 17 to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.
HealthCap® Offers Free Tools and Resources to Help Reduce Risk
HealthCap’s Resource and Education Center offers a bounty of free educational resources and tools to help long term care providers deliver quality care and reduce risk. AHCA/NCAL members are encouraged to take advantage of these quality risk management resources including policies and procedures, toolkits, and continuing education credits.
AHCA/NCAL has embraced HealthCap® for more than a decade as a premier provider of liability insurance that is solely dedicated to serving senior care communities. HealthCap® clients have the fewest liability claims in the industry, and HealthCap settles claims below the industry average.
Stop by Booth # 806 in the Expo Hall at AHCA/NCAL’s annual convention in Denver October 1-4 and meet HealthCap’s experts.
How to Interact With an OSHA Inspector
When Residents Bring Substance Use Disorders with Them.
Facilities, staff, and families must work together to recognize and treat addiction and substance use disorders in LTC communities. Individualized plans are needed to provide necessary pain management without giving in to drug-seeking behaviors.