LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS

Thanks for Joining Us on Our Weekly Webinar Today
Here is the recording and here are the handouts which include the PowerPoint and Air Quality Presentation.

Please note, there will be NO WEBINAR next Friday, November 27th. We will resume on December 4^th. Here is the link to register for webinars for the rest of the year.

Have a topic recommendation or an idea for a poll? Let us know.

Free Member Resource Starts Monday at Noon
Coping with COVID is a free opportunity for group learning focused on Shared Trauma and dealing with the stresses the pandemic. Join us and Dr. Bonni Goodwin with the University of Oklahoma. Register ahead of time for this timely resource.

• Register for Mondays at Noon
• Register for Wednesdays at 7 PM (Starting December 2^nd)

New Rapid Resource: Pulmonary Assessment for Nurses
It is critical that LTC all nurses are competent in performing pulmonary (aka respiratory) assessments, especially in the age of COVID-19. Here is our new Rapid Resource to use to make sure your nurses and trained/refreshed on this skill.

1. Watch the Short Video
2. Companion Competency Checklist

STATE NEWS

KDHE COVID-19 Update
The COVID-19 Summary is published Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12:30 p.m. and includes historical data. The summary may not be published during holiday observances. As of Wednesday, November 18, 2020, KDHE reported 56 clusters (aka outbreaks) of 5+ cases in Kansas adult care homes.

Cluster information can be found by clicking on the gray Cluster Summary button in the dashboard on this page. KDHE releases the names of locations that have five or more cases with symptom-onset dates in the last 14-days every Wednesday. KDHE’s policy can be viewed online. Here are Frequently Asked Questions concerning the listing.

Here is Coronavirus Homepage for KDHE.

COVID Waste Handling
Q. Do we need to dispose of all “COVID trash” in biohazard bags?   
A. NO. This is according to Bryna Stacey bstacey@ks.gov, Director for KDHE’s Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program.  She says, “COVID waste is considered ‘normal.’ If there is something that is normally biohazard (such as sharps or a lot of blood or laboratory products) that would be when a biohazard disposal bag or container is needed.”

• Deteriorating Picture in Kansas Subject of White House Coronavirus Task Force Report

FEDERAL NEWS

CMS Issues Alert on How to Handle Holidays
CMS finally issued a new alert yesterday on what facilities should do to prepare for the holiday with residents and staff. Read the alert and summary from LeadingAge National

Check out these useful posters from the CDC to share with staff, residents, families, in the community:

• Everyone can make Thanksgiving Safe
• Consider Other Thanksgiving Activities

LEADINGAGE NEWS

• ICYMI: CMS Presents Nursing Homes Session at Annual Meeting
• Changes Coming to NHSN
• Thanksgiving Planning Survey Results
• LeadingAge Need to Know for 11-20-2020
• View the Latest Info, News, and Tools from LeadingAge
• Pandemic Playbook: An Interactive Guide to a Pandemic

Virtual Leadership Retreat: Reflecting and Centering for the Work Ahead
Space is limited for our provider member-only virtual leadership retreat with Judy Brown and Wendy Green. The event will cover the leadership lessons that have emerged this year and help you uncover ways to lay the groundwork for a brighter path ahead. Register now to ensure that you are among the 25 attendees on December 9th and 10th.