Uncategorized – AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep booth at Delivering Solutions 24.

We are exhibiting at the AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo, October 6-9, 2024, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando FL. Come visit us at booth #623 and find out how Gero Nurse Prep can help you demonstrate gerontological nursing competency. Want to know more now? Visit our website at https://www.geronurseprep.com/

Balancing Technology and Humanity in Long Term Care

The integration of technology into long term care is revolutionizing the way we approach this delicate and crucial stage of life. Being an executive in the senior care space for decades, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact that technological advancements can have on enhancing the quality of care, communication, and comfort for patients and their families. From innovative medical devices to sophisticated data management systems, technology is not just a tool but a transformative force that is reshaping the landscape of long term care.

Read the full article at https://www.providermagazine.com/Articles/Pages/Balancing-Technology-and-Humanity-in-Long-Term-Care-.aspx

The Big Fall Sale on Gero Nurse Prep 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. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through November 15, 2024 with promo code GEROBC24 (all caps).

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 found 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:

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%)

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.

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 competent 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 94% 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. And don’t forget to use the GEROBC24 promo code when registering by November 15 to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep booth at Delivering Solutions 24.

RSV: Why It’s Different and Why It Matters for Long Term Care

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that impacts long term care residents each year. RSV is more common during the fall and winter months, similar to influenza (flu).

RSV Impact

Each year, it is estimated that between 60,000 and 160,000 older adults in the United States are hospitalized, and 6,000 to 10,000 die due to RSV infection. Similar to the flu and COVID-19, RSV is more dangerous for older adults due to their age, weakened immune systems, and other underlying health conditions. RSV can lead to lung infections, pneumonia, and worsening of other conditions such as asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

RSV Vaccine

In May of 2023, the first vaccine for RSV was introduced in the United States. The CDC recommends was introduced in the United States. The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine if you are aged 75 or older, or if you are aged 60 to 74 and have a risk factor for severe RSV disease, including living in a long term care facility. The RSV vaccine is not currently an annual vaccine, meaning if you received the RSV vaccine last year, you do not need to get it again this year.

Eligible adults can get an RSV vaccine at any time, but the best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall. This timing ensures you’re protected by the time RSV starts to spread in your community and ensures you get maximum protection during the winter months.

Symptoms of RSV

According to the CDC, people infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include a runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Unlike flu or COVID-19, antiviral treatment is not recommended for RSV. This is one of the reasons that getting vaccinated is so important in reducing the severity of an RSV infection.

Since antiviral treatment is not available, many providers do not test patients for RSV. However, molecular and antigen diagnostic tests do exist. The CDC recommends that providers consider testing for RSV when residents with acute respiratory illness test negative for both influenza and COVID-19.

Infection Control Practices

When residents have any symptoms, facilities should refer to CDC’s Infection Control Basics and apply Transmission Based Precautions.

The bottom line is that RSV poses a threat to long term care residents, and its symptoms are similar to those of COVID-19 and flu. The most important thing providers can do is encourage vaccination among residents for RSV and follow CDC guidance in preventing and managing outbreaks in the facility. The CDC viral respiratory pathogens toolkit is a great resource for handling all three common respiratory viruses.

Visit GetVaccinated.us for additional resources to help prepare for the upcoming respiratory virus season.

HHS has also launched a new campaign to educate the public on the importance of vaccination. The Risk Less, Do More campaign has resources to help providers discuss vaccines and prevention with staff and residents.

Survey Tip: Transfer and Discharge Pt. 2

A new survey tip has been posted to the AHCA Survey Regulatory page for your review. In the Survey Tip section, on the Survey Regulatory page, you will find tips related to recently noted survey trends. In the latest survey tip, you will find information about regulations for transfer and discharge of residents. The tip sheet provides tips regarding F625- Notice of bed-hold policy and return.

For more tips related to transfer and discharge, please visit the Discharges- Making the Safest Transition for Your Residents webinar on ahcancalED. Email any questions regarding survey prep to regulatory@ahca.org.

Don’t Let Popcorn Affect Your Next Life Safety Survey

The only thing better than eating fresh popcorn is enjoying the mesmerizing entertainment it provides during the explosive transformation of the kernels. How that transformation occurs, however, can have an impact on life safety compliance and subsequently your survey results.

Find the full article at https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Don%E2%80%99t-Let-Popcorn-Affect-Your-Next-Life-Safety-Survey.aspx

Elevate Your Geriatric Care Competency for Less During the Gero Nurse Prep Sale

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 June 15, 2024 with promo code RNPATH24 (all caps).

Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2023 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:

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%)

Watch this video or visit the website at geronurseprep.com to learn more. And don’t forget to use the RNPATH24 promo code when registering by June 15 to save $200 off the regular $790 Gero Nurse Prep registration fee.

National Nurses Week: 50+ Nurse’s Week Discounts, Coupons, Deals and Freebies for 2024

Every year from May 6th to 12th, nurses are recognized for their service and dedication to caring for others and improving the health of patients nationwide through National Nurses Week. Throughout the week, healthcare organizations celebrate their teams, and you’ll even see nurses featured on the news. People across the nation thank the nurses that have made a difference in their lives.

Nurses Week celebrates the effort, dedication, and sacrifice nurses make every day. Nurses are essential members of America’s healthcare workforce who provide care through every stage of life, working with patients at their most intimate and vulnerable moments. Nurses Week offers a chance to highlight and celebrate nurses for all they do.

Find all the Nurses Week Deals for 2024 at https://nurse.org/articles/free-nurse-week-giveaways/

Navigating Medicare Advantage

Skilled nursing and post-acute care providers must carefully navigate Medicare Advantage plans while calling for more accountability, oversight, and transparency from regulators.

https://www.providermagazine.com/Issues/2024/Spring/Pages/Navigating-Medicare-Advantage-.aspx