VACCINE NEWS
Having Trouble Getting New Residents or Staff Vaccinated?
This is a problem some members are struggling with. If your pharmacy or local health department are able to help, and if you are in a rural/frontier area, another potential source of help could be your Critical Access Hospital.
STATE NEWS
HCBS Settings Rule Monthly Newsletter
KDADS has released a monthly newsletter to update HCBS providers as they implement the settings rule. Check out the April 2021 issue of Final Rule Talk.
PASSR Suspension Extended to May 20, 2021
KDADS has updated their guidance to reflect an extension of PASSR suspension to May 20th. Important note: As of June 20, 2021 KDADS will no longer be suspending the PASRR program. This will allow 60 day transition so please start planning to implement processes as normal. Read the updated guidance.
Fire Marshal News
Two important webinars coming your way in May:
Assisted Living and Home Plus webinar – May 4th at 11 AM
Please join your peers and the Fire Marshal on a free webinar to touch base now that life safety surveys have resumed. KSFM will review 1) the code that applies to Assisted Living, HP & RHCF and how to access that information; 2) what is included in the CMS1135 waiver for inspections that was issued to the state and cover what all this includes; and 3) address frequently asked questions including questions about locks. Be prepared to type in your questions as they will be available to answer as long as time allows.
Learning objectives for this webinar:
- Understand what to expect as life safety survey’s resume
- Understand what waivers are still in place and what testing must still be done.
- For AL/Home Plus – Understand appropriate means to secure egress.
SNF (Nursing Home) webinar – May 6th at 2 PM
Please join your peers and the State Fire Marshal on a free webinar to touch base now that life safety surveys have resumed. The Fire Marshall team will : 1) review the code that applies to SNF’s and how to access that information; 2) what is included in the CMS1135 waiver for inspections that was issued to the state and cover what all this includes, and 3) address frequently asked questions. Be prepared to type in your questions as they will be available to answer as long as time allows.
Learning objectives for this webinar:
- Understand what to expect as life safety survey’s resume
- Understand what waivers are still in place and what testing must still be done.
- Understand how egress must not be obstructed due to COVID based alterations
FEDERAL NEWS
Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Issue Resolution Contact
For members who have encountered issues with obtaining Provider Relief Funds, the new administration would like members/providers to reach out to HRSA (the division of HHS handling PRF) directly by emailing: ProviderReliefContact@hrsa.gov HRSA did not specify any limits to the inquiries that a provider could make using this email address but some issues may include: TIN Validation issues, missing funds, etc. If members are unable to resolve issues successfully, members can still reach out to Nicole (NFallon@leadingage.org) for possible escalation of the issue. Nicole is also happy to help look into questions on the Nursing Home Infection Control incentive payments as typically those are easily answered just by looking at the NHSN COVID-19 database.
CDC Info on Personal and Social Activities
CDC updated their information on how to safely go about personal and social activities, which outlines guidance for visiting a restaurant or bar, hosting gatherings or cook-outs, attending an event or gathering, using gyms or fitness centers, going to a nail salon, visiting a library, traveling overnight, and visiting parks.
LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS
Weekly Webinars to Return on May 7th
We are pausing our weekly webinars during our Virtual Spring Conference. We will resume on May 7th.
Listen in for information and updates about the coronavirus, Fridays at 10 AM. Register here.
We are Honoring Individuals Lost During the Pandemic – Will You Help Us?
We are seeking the names of residents, staff and those you would like to recognize as loved ones that we lost this past year during the pandemic. We will be holding a moment of silence/prayer and honoring their lives during our upcoming Virtual Spring Conference on April 26th at 10:45 AM. Please send names to Dana Weaver at dana@leadingagekansas.org by Friday, April 23rd at 3 PM.
LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS
This Week’s Coronavirus Policy Updates
There will be no policy update today as it’s the LeadingAge Virtual Lobby Day! Tomorrow at 2:30 PM. CDT, Lisa Thomson and Sue LaGrange from LeadingAge partner Pathways Health will talk about a new infection control toolkit. Register now to join us, and checkout the podcast series, LeadingAge Coronavirus Spotlights, featuring presentations by LeadingAge members and subject-matter experts who have been guests on our live online policy updates.
THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER PARTNER
