Fire Marshal Update
In the past four months, there have been two IJ’s with nursing home providers (not in Kansas) that had locked kitchens at night. Fires occurred in the locked areas and no staff on duty had...
LTC State Operations Manual – Appendix PP – Revised
CMS recently updated the State Operations Manual (SOM) Appendix PP. The SOM was revised to incorporate the revised Requirements of Participation for Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes. The changes to Appendix PP apply...
Let’s Continue to Work Together for Regulatory Sanity
Have you (and your key staff, board members, and your other constituents) sent an email to members of Congress to advocate for the reform and/or replacement of the federal nursing home survey and enforcement...
February 2017 PEAK Newsletter Available
KSU recently published the 2017 PEAK Newsletter. View it here.
Must Read on Power Strip Safety
The State Fire Marshal’s Office urges all providers to read Power Strip Safety and Regulatory Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide to Utilizing Power Strips in Healthcare Facilities and incorporate this information into their policies and...
Life Safety Code – Clarification on Non-Smoking Signage
According to Katharine Achor, LSC Specialist at CMS in Kansas City: “If a long-term care facility is a non-smoking campus inside, they need a policy that says that. The fact that the facility is...
PBJ Submission Due February 14th – PBJ Compliance Added to Nursing Home Compare
LTC providers have up to 45 days after the end of the quarter to submit PBJ data for Federal Fiscal Quarter 1 (October 1, 2016-December 31, 2016.) The final PBJ submission file for this...
Feds Release New HIPAA Guidance on Communication
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Civil Rights has posted a new FAQ which clarifies that the HIPAA Privacy Rule permits disclosures to loved ones regardless of whether they...
New CMS Guidance for HCBS Clients Who Wander
CMS has released a "Frequently Asked Questions" notice concerning Medicaid Beneficiaries in Home and Community-Based Settings who Exhibit Unsafe Wandering or Exit-Seeking Behavior based on concerns raised by state officials, adult day and assisted...
CMS Releases Final Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice – Effective March 8th
Beginning March 8th, hospitals and critical access hospitals must provide notice (using a federally mandated form) to all Medicare beneficiaries who receive outpatient observation services for more than 24 hours and are not an...
CMS Issues New Home Health Requirements of Participation
CMS has finalized rules governing Home Health Agencies (HHAs.) Read the CMS Press Release. The final rule includes new requirements related to:
Patient rights
Comprehensive patient assessment
Written information about upcoming visits, medication instructions, treatments administered,...
LeadingAge Kansas Members Dominate PEAK Recognition
KDADS has recognized 15 Kansas nursing homes, 13 of which are LeadingAge Kansas members*, for their achievements in providing and sustaining person-centered care for residents in 2016, KDADS Acting Secretary Tim Keck announced last...