AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep – Page 18 – News, updates, tips and more

Sharpen Your Geriatric RN Skills with AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep!

Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course 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 AHCA/NCAL’s 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 in last cycle)
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 over the previous six years
Significantly lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics over the previous five years
Significantly higher average SNF Value Based Purchasing scores (44.17 versus 34.42 for the nation). Higher SNF VBP Score = Higher Medicare Part A reimbursement 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 96% 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. Remember to use the AHCAPAYLESS promo code when you register to save $100 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

New Updates to Regulatory and Agency COVID-19 Guidelines

With the Delta variant spreading rampantly throughout the U.S., AHCA/NCAL wants to keep members informed of the recent COVID-19 regulatory and Agency updates.

Find links to all these updates at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-Updates-to-Regulatory-and-Agency-COVID-19-Guidelines-.aspx

National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP) Podcast – Wheelchair Wounds Parts 1 and 2.

Join our co-host Renee Paulin as she brings on three professionals from Permobil who are highly involved in best practices with NPIAP. They share their expertise in the seating system with wheelchairs in regard to proper seated posture, cushion selection and maintenance, and the actual structure of the wheelchair. Renee along with Ana Endsjo, Kara Kopplin, and Stacey Mullis chat about their seating and wound expertise and how to help patients prevent pressure injuries. Helpful tips and resources are discussed to help healthcare professionals in multiple settings who work with wheelchair bound patients who are at risk or have current pressure injures. This series is helpful to learn how the team can work together to prevent breakdown and what to look for to ensure patients are receiving the best quality of care based on best practices.

https://rnhuddle.unmc.edu/national-pressure-injury-advisory-panel-npiap-podcast-wheelchair-wounds-part-1/

n Part 2, this discussion focuses on funding for various seating systems as well as Medicare HCPC coding. Take a listen! https://rnhuddle.unmc.edu/national-pressure-injury-advisory-panel-npiap-podcast-wheelchair-wounds-part-2/

Online Training to Become Board Certified!

Gero Nurse Prep is an online training course designed to prepare RNs who care for elders to attain board certification in Gerontological Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This course equips RNs with a broad array of clinical knowledge, skills and competencies that are tested on the ANCC certification exam and essential for quality gerontological nursing practice and leadership of elder care teams.

To find out more:

Watch this short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvKXcs-NO2o

Visit our website at https://www.geronurseprep.com/

Hitting Reset on Pressure Injury Prevention

The complexities of the COVID-19 public health emergency required skilled nursing facility (SNF) operations to change dramatically and often to save the lives of the most vulnerable population. Through heroic efforts, SNFs transformed clinical systems of care, sometimes in less than a day, to win the war against the pandemic.

While operations and resources shifted to battle COVID-19, unintended consequences emerged—one being greater incidence of pressure injuries. Now that the pandemic is at a turning point, facilities can start to refocus and improve this trend. This article suggests ways to reorient efforts toward preventing and managing pressure injuries.

Read the full article at https://www.providermagazine.com/Monthly-Issue/2021/July/Pages/Hitting-Reset-on-Pressure-Injury-Prevention.aspx

Convention & Expo Brings You Key Education to Help You Tackle Your Toughest Challenges!

The 72nd AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, taking place from October 10-13 at the National Harbor outside Washington, DC, offers more than 5 education sessions in 16 tracks of learning.

Earn up to 15.5 CEs.

Key topics include:

Rebuilding the Census
Workforce and Leadership
Infection Control and Prevention
Survey and Regulatory Compliance
Reimbursement
Quality Improvement
Technology and Innovation

Additional education tracks include Clinical Care Practice, Person-Centered Care, Post-Acute Care, Behavioral Health, Rehabilitation Therapy, Assisted Living, and much more.

Spend time networking with colleagues, share ideas and experiences, and gain fresh perspectives and strategies. The Convention & Expo is a unique four-day gathering that you don’t want to miss.

Register today and save $100.

Early Bird Deadline: July 26

Request Smart Devices for Your LTC Facility

LTC facilities may request two free smart devices from COVID Tech Connect, while supplies last. Founded with a mission to connect critically ill COVID-19 patients with their loved ones, COVID Tech Connect donates smart devices to hospitals and care facilities across the country. Priority will be given to those in greatest need.

Providers can also request access to use their free app, TeleHome a video conferencing solution for calls on any device, anywhere.

PPE – Act Now to Ensure You Are in Compliance Today

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is now largely available for purchase. SNFs are expected to be using PPE at conventional capacity. AHCA/NCAL has developed a “PPE Action Brief” for facilities to print out, review, and take action today to ensure compliance.

National Assisted Living Week Theme Revealed for September Celebration

The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) said “Compassion, Community, Caring” is this year’s theme for National Assisted Living Week^®. The annual, national observance—officially sponsored by First Quality in 2021—provides a unique opportunity for residents, their loved ones, staff, volunteers, and local communities to celebrate the individuals who live and work in assisted living and learn more about this sector of long term care.

“This year’s National Assisted Living Week is special because of everything we have faced over the past year,” said NCAL Executive Director Scott Tittle. “’Compassion, Community, Caring’ reflects the hard work and dedication of all the essential caregivers in assisted living communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also represents the importance of family and remaining connected, even when we could not physically be together.”

Established by NCAL in 1995, National Assisted Living Week (NALW) will be held Sept. 12-18. “Compassion, Community, Caring” encourages assisted living communities around the country to host a variety of events that honor the individuals who reside, work, and volunteer in these communities while adhering to infection control requirements and precautions in place for COVID-19.

“First Quality is honored to be the official sponsor of National Assisted Living Week in 2021,” said Shelley Bache, First Quality Healthcare Leader. “After one of the most challenging years ever, it is imperative to remember and celebrate those in assisted living communities who did so much in the midst of so many unknowns. This week is a time to come together in a safe way and recognize the ‘Compassion, Community, Caring’ that could not be stopped by a pandemic.”

In the coming months, NCAL said it will issue a planning guide and products centered on ways to celebrate the week’s theme. Participants are asked to share their celebrations throughout the week on social media with the hashtag #NALW.

Visit www.ahcancal.org/NALW for updated information and resources.

AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep Spring Sale Ends May 31

Save $200 off the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living’s Gero Nurse Prep course through May 31 with promo code RNLOVE (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.

Significantly higher average SNF Value Based Purchasing scores (44.17 versus 34.42 for the nation). Higher SNF VBP Score = Higher Medicare Part A reimbursement rates.
Two fewer deficiencies on average (5.71 citations versus the 7.55 national average in last cycle)
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 over the previous six years
Significantly lower rates of off-label use of antipsychotics over the previous five years

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. Don’t forget to use the RNLOVE promo code when you register by May 31 to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.