February 16, 2023
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Membership Reminder: As a reminder, the renewal deadline for your KHCA/KCAL membership is March 31st. We strive to give you a highly-valued return on your dues investment, and we look forward to serving you in the year ahead. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your membership status, please contact Kristin Plantz kplantz@khca.org.
The Latest News
NHSN Updates Data Tracking Worksheet for COVID-19 Vaccination

NHSN released an updated version of the Excel Data Tracking Worksheet for facilities reporting COVID-19 vaccination data on health care personnel through the Healthcare Personnel Safety Component. 

This document offers instructions with screenshots and helpful information on use of the Excel Data Tracking Worksheet. 

Please email NHSN@cdc.gov with any questions related to the Data Tracking Worksheet.

Click here to read more.
NEXT MONDAY! KHCA/KCAL Legislative Day - Monday, February 20th

Registration closes Friday, February 17, 2023.

Meet, greet and converse with your Legislators about issues that are important to you and your community. Visit the House and the Senate and sit in on committee meetings that directly impact long term care providers. Register early so that KHCA/KCAL staff can provide you with assistance in making appointments with the right people to maximize your time at the Capitol. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more and explore the happenings at the State House during the legislative session.

Learning Objectives for Legislative Day are:
  • Understand the value of membership with a trade association.
  • Understand KHCA/KCAL’s political clout.
  • Become familiar with our outside lobby team.
  • Become familiar with the Legislative process.
  • Understand KHCA/KCAL 2023 Legislative agenda.
TOMORROW! Members Only Facility Standards Call – Friday, February 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Please join us for the monthly Members Only Facility Standards Call. Cynthia Pendleton VP of KHCA Facility Standards will lead discussions and Linda Farrar KHCA Clinical Consultant will review recent survey findings.  


Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 254 886 756 384
Passcode: SqKDBR
Are you a current AIT Preceptor or are you interested in becoming one?    

If you are a current Preceptor we would love to have you on our list. Please contact Teresa with your Preceptor number at tkeating@khca.org. Are you interested in becoming an AIT Preceptor and shaping the future of the profession?  Our team is happy to walk you through that process. Click here for the KDADS information and give Teresa a call at 785-267-6003.
In Case You Missed It
As CMS tightens vise on Medicare Advantage, providers argue for even more help

Forty-five days after proposing changes that attempt to rein in some of the most-criticized practices of Medicare Advantage plans, federal officials now must filter through nearly 1,000 formal comments.

Comments shared by two major organizations representing long-term care providers, in addition to a partial review of feedback publicly available through the Federal Register, show that healthcare providers are hungry for more oversight and changes that will keep post-acute options open to MA beneficiaries. READ MORE
CARE Upload Tool Updates Training - 3/21/2023

The developer of the CARE Upload Tool has made some improvements based on usage of the Tool and, as a result, the CARE team has scheduled training to explain the changes before they make them ‘live.’ Click here for a training flyer for more details about the training and click here for the FAQ which includes how to become a user of the tool.

The training is scheduled for nursing facilities and nursing facilities for mental health to receive their session at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, March 21. In the afternoon, AAAs and hospitals will have their session at 3:00 PM.

Questions can be directed to sarah.hussain@ks.gov
February Community E-newsletter from Aetna Better Health of Kansas

Content in this issue includes:
  • Quality Time: Influenza
  • American Heart Month
  • Resource Roundup: Hospital Companion Program
  • Member Success Story: Getting to the Real Issue
  • Connect with Us
Rise in fungal infections raising public health red flag

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning just this month about the rise in Candida auris cases. READ MORE
Person Centered Approaches with People Experiencing Dementia - A free Webinar with the Office of the State LTC Ombudsman

The Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman invites you to join Tanya M. Richmond, MSW, LCSW, Partner at Support Development Associates, Certified Death Doula, and Co-Chair of The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices for a 2.0 hour VIRTUAL training covering person centered best practice, the latest research in person centered practices with those experiencing dementia, and practical application tips.

This approach recognizes that dementia is only one aspect of a person and helps to move the focus from being solely on their disease, to who they actually are as a person. Person centered care helps to ensure people with dementia can take part in the things they enjoy. It can be an effective way of preventing and managing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

We know you time is valuable but think you will find it a good investment. The training itself is free to attend.

When: Feb 23, 2023 10:00 AM Central Time (US and Canada) via ZOOM
From the Office of the State Fire Marshal: Fire Alarm Testing Documentation Training

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 10:00 AM-10:45 AM

In this training session they will cover:
  • requirements of documentation for fire alarm testing
  • initiating device testing requirements
  • give examples of deficiencies and discuss corrections

Microsoft Teams Meeting
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Meeting ID: 223 100 535 141
Passcode: kbRfct
Or call in (audio only)
+1 785-414-8630,,559728362# United States, Topeka
Phone Conference ID: 559 728 362#
Take Action: Write CMS Today!

Tell CMS how an unfunded staffing mandate would impact access to care for seniors by February 28th!​ No login is necessary. Please encourage all staff members to participate!

Click here for more details.
Access AHCA's Recorded Webinar: Contact CMS: Minimum Staffing Requirements for Skilled Nursing Facilities by clicking here.
Education Spotlight
Assisted Living Conference

A full day of education for those working in the Assisted Living, Residential Health Care and Home Plus settings

TOPICS:
  • The Magic of Connection – Opening Keynote and Humorist Desi Payne
  • Writing a Plan of Correction – Joan Hudson
  • Making Life Meaningful – Amy Siple
  • Stay in Your Lane – Talking through KS Regulations
  • Top Questions the association receives and how to find answers in your Reg Manual – Linda MowBray
  • Workplace Resilience through the power of friendship – Amy Siple

Click here for more details.
Upcoming Education
KHCA/KCAL Legislative Day

2/20/2023 11:00AM-2:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: 5-Star Work Plan A to Z: Developing a Work Plan for 5-Star Improvement

2/22/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Mission Possible: SNF Department Head Briefing - Approaches for Activities

2/28/2023 1:30PM-2:30PM

Click here for more details.
LIVE Virtual MDS Workshop

3/1/2023 & 3/8/2023 8:30AM - 4:00PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: The Changed Role of Social Services In Long Term Care

3/2/2023 2:00PM-3:15PM

Click here for more details.
Webinar: Deep Dive Into Federal Regulations in a Year: §483.15 Admission Transfer and Discharge Requirements

3/14/2023 1:30PM-3:00PM

Click here for more details.
Spring Joint Provider - Hosted by LeadingAge KS

3/21/2023 9:30AM-4:00PM - Wichita | Live Stream
3/22/2023 9:30AM-4:00PM - Topeka

Click here for more details.
Assisted Living Lunch and Learn: A Deeper Look at FCS/NSA and HSP

3/24/2023 10:00AM-2:00PM - Wichita

Click here for more details.
Administrator in Training (AIT) Program

We are excited to announce our new AIT Program! All the details can be found here: https://conta.cc/3ixevxG

Questions? Email Teresa Keating at tkeating@khca.org
Looking for options for required Staff In-Service?

KHCA’s online learning platform is BACK! We’ve loaded the in-services for SNF and for AL first. The SNF in-service on Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation has been updated to reflect Phase 3 information.

Access the new learning platform by clicking here. 

Questions about education can be directed to Polly Berkley VP of Operations and Education.
Attention Assisted Living and Home Plus Providers: FCS Refresher

We have frequent requests for FCS refreshers and people who want to attend the FCS section only of the Operators course. We now have it available on demand in a 75 minute webinar. It’s worth 1.5 CE’s on demand.

$20 Member Discount Code: KHCA018
Click here for more details.
Mark Your Calendar for these 2023 Dates!
Kansas Health Care Association and the Kansas Center for Assisted Living
1100 SW Gage Blvd. | PO Box 4770 | Topeka, KS 66604
PH: 785-267-6003 FAX: 785-267-0833