STATE NEWS

About the February 8th KDADS/KDHE Webinar for LTC Providers. KDAD and KDHE were unable to share much new information of value to attendees, but plan to follow up with attendees who had questions during the webinar. LeadingAge Kansas will provide a link to the recording of the webinar upon request.

Save the Date: Attend a KDHE Webinar on COVID-19 Therapeutics on February 24th at 3 PM
More details forthcoming.

Battelle
Read the letter from KDHE Acting Secretary Janet K. Stanek.

KDHE COVID-10 Local Stakeholders Call – Corrected Email for Madison Bush
Slide deck from the February 3rd call. Q&A from the call. If you want to be added to the invitation for these weekly calls email Madison Bush at Madison.bush@ks.gov.

Kansas COVID-19 Cluster Summary      
As of February 9th, there are 44 long-term care facilities with clusters and 16 are LeadingAge Kansas Members.
 
 Statewide Active COVID-19 Clusters     

  • Clusters: 375
  • Cases: 9,116
  • Hospitalizations: 100

Kansas COVID-19: Case Rates     

  • Cases: 752,974
  • Total Case Rate Per 1,000: 258.46
  • Daily Cases Diagnosed: 382

Long-Term Care Facilities with Active Cluster Case Information

  • Clusters: 215
  • Cases: 4,701
  • Hospitalizations: 84

Source: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas    

FEDERAL NEWS

Verifying Inspectors
Throughout the pandemic, there have been several new quality improvement and support initiatives launched by CMS, the QIOs, public health, and others. While these initiatives are generally communicated beforehand to providers, providers are right to be cautious. CMS recommends the following for providers to safeguard themselves and the residents they serve:

  • Document the name of the individual and the specific agency they are representing.
  • Request a copy of the individual’s agency ID.
  • Obtain a phone number to call and confirm the individual’s position and authority.

Please let LeadingAge Kansas know of any “suspicious activity” you experience related to this issue.

Updated FAQs on Provider Relief Funds
The Congressional Research Service released an update to its report, “The Provider Relief Fund: Frequently Asked Questions.” In addition to clear, simple background information on PRF authorities and allocations to date, the updated report includes current reporting requirements and information about Phase 4 funds.

VACCINE NEWS

Kansas COVID-19 Vaccination Overview     

  • 4,135,391 Total Doses Reported as Administered     
     – First Dose: 1,922,722
     – Second Dose: 1,543,086
     – Third Dose: 669,584
  • 5,288,250 Total Doses Distributed     
     – State Distributed: 2,967,800
  • 61.5% of Kansans Vaccinated with One Dose   
  • 53.0% of Kansas Completed COVID-19 Vaccine Series

As of 2/9/2022

Source: https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data  

LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS

Join Us For Our Friday Webinars
If you haven’t registered for future calls, you can do so here.

LEADINGAGE NATIONAL NEWS

Letter to HHS on LTC access to Therapeutics
LeadingAge National joined other associations in sending a letter to HHS’s lead official on therapeutics distribution requesting a targeted allocation of oral therapeutics to residential LTC settings. Currently these treatments are sent from the federal government to the states; the states determine how to allocate and distribute them. In Kansas KDHE Emergency Management Director Mike McNulty reports that KDHE is starting to distribute therapeutics to LTC pharmacies. LeadingAge Kansas members are encouraged to discuss this with their pharmacy and share Mike’s contact information if they want to receive therapeutics as well.

THANK YOU TO OUR PLATIUM PARTNER

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Nicole Schings is the Director of Member Services and Business Development. Nicole joined the association in 2018, and oversees our Member Services program, our Partnership and Associate Member relationships, and our online education system. A graduate of Washburn University, Nicole uses her 22 years of experience in the association world to enhance the support of our members, problem solve their issues and bring new partners into the LeadingAge Kansas family. Outside of work, Nicole is passionate about geocaching and moments spent with her dog, Blu. You can reach Nicole directly at 785.670.8048.