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If you have something exciting to share about
your organization, please email Tina
Andres so that it can be published in an upcoming Aging Update.)
Via
Christi Wins 2005 IVY Award
Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita,
KS, was named by Restaurants and Institutions Magazine as the
2005 Winner of the IVY Award. This award is one of the food service
industry's most coveted accolades. It is the only award based on the
vote of the readers of Restaurant and Institutions. Congratulations
to all the Via Christi staff!
Bethesda Home Receives Tax Credit Award to
Further Culture Change Work
Bethesda Home in Goessel has been awarded
a Tax Credit through the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Community Service
Tax Credit program for its “Building Community and Changing Lives” (BCCL)
project. Bethesda is authorized to disburse $240,000 of tax credits
in 2005 and 2006. The project includes the creation of a “home” atmosphere
and a normalcy of life environment, including a transition from a clinical/staff
centered culture to a resident (and family) centered way of life.
According to Linda Peters, Bethesda Administrator, the home has already
been hard at work to implement this culture change through buffet dining,
expanded dining hours, wireless pager systems, resident-driven bathing
time, etc. The Tax Credit award will assist Bethesda to complete some
physical environment modifications and additions to complete the transition.
These include creation of family-rooms in each neighborhood; renovation
of common areas with uniquely decorated “front porch facades for each
neighborhood and a “Main Street” with a bank, post office, library,
beauty / barber shop, fitness / therapy center, and chapel; and new
building space to accommodate the relocation of the laundry, expanded
dining and food preparation space, and renovation of the chapel and
activities areas. Contributions generated by this State Tax Credit Program
will fund about 25% of the total estimated project costs and provides
a solid foundation for launching a capital campaign. Congratulations
to Bethesda Home and the community of Goessel! (Article
submitted by Debra Zehr.)
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Want to Know What Surveyors are Thinking About
and Looking For?
In 1999, KAHSA, KACE, KHCA and the state survey agency (then KDHE) joined
together in a unique partnership to bring long term care providers and
state surveyors together for training on best practices related to some
of the most difficult-to-tackle and deficiency prone issues in long
term care. Over the years, the trainings have covered a variety of topics
such as incontinence, falls, accident prevention, nutrition, restorative
nursing, diabetes, pain, dementia, culture change and psychosocial needs.
When KDOA took on responsibility for regulatory oversight
of adult care homes, they made the commitment to continue the trainings,
and, in fact, Commissioner Boranyak says that ALL surveyors and regional
managers need to attend EVERY training. I wish I had a nickel for every
time I’ve heard a member say, “If we could only know what the surveyors
are going to ‘concentrate on’ when they get here.” In fact, by participating
in joint provider/surveyor trainings, you CAN have the inside scoop
on new things the surveyors are learning about, and thus, are probably
paying attention to in the field. Currently the trainings occur twice
a year. Topics are selected by a steering committee composed of representatives
of KDOA, KAHSA, KHCA and KACE, based on deficiency trends and important
emerging best practices. Fees are deliberately kept low in order to
encourage providers to send as many staff as appropriate based on topic.
So, make it a priority to get yourself and your staff to the next joint
training on August 10 in Topeka or August 11 in Wichita. Topic: Pressure
Ulcers (the number one G+ deficiency in Kansas and the problem that
most frequently puts long term care providers at risk for claims of
medical malpractice.) The focus of the training will be on CMS’ new
guidance to surveyors on wounds, wound care and the survey process.
Diane Atchinson, MSN, ANP will provide detailed information on new wound-related
definitions, criteria for avoidable vs. unavoidable, risk assessment,
the PUSH tool, care planning, monitoring, documentation and the proper
roles of DONs, nurses, nurse aides and wound care specialists in pressure
ulcer prevention, assessment and treatment. Time is built into the day
for surveyors and providers to get together to interact and develop
solutions around a case study. To download a brochure click HERE
or for information call 1.800.264.5242 today. (Article
submitted by Debra Zehr.)
2005 Directors of Nursing Retreat - July
27 - 28
Attention Directors of Nursing -- Don't miss this unique opportunity!
Join your colleagues to learn and grow professionally and re-energize
for the important work you do in a true retreat atmosphere designed
especially for Directors of Nursing. The emphasis on this retreat will
be on leadership, management and communication. You will also
have opportunities for relaxation and pampering in an inspiring, uplifting
true retreat atmosphere. This retreat will benefit both new and seasoned
Directors of Nursing. To keep the integrity of the retreat atmosphere,
this meeting will be kept small, so send in your registration early
to ensure a spot. For a brochure and registration form, click HERE.
(Article submitted by Denise
Howell.)
Where the Heart Is. . .A Retreat for CNAs
“How Important Is Good Dental Health
for Long-Term Care Residents?”
July 26, 2005 -- Wichita, KS
There is still time to register your CNAs for this dynamic meeting.
Focus will be on oral health, with many items, with demonstrations,
for participants to bring back to their organizations. Participants
at the July 8th Retreat said:
- “This meeting was even more than I expected.
I learned a lot about oral care for my residents”.
- “It was very helpful to learn the best ways to
take care of our resident’s teeth”.
- “Very good presentations! We pay attention to
wound care, but oral care is just as important! This will definitely
stick”.
For more information and a brochure and registration
form, click HERE.
(Article submitted by Denise
Howell.)
CNA Center for Excellence
July 26, 2005 -- Wichita, KS
Send your CNA's to learn about Nutrition,
Pressure Ulcers and improve their communication with family members.
This FREE Training is available to all CNA's
from a grant through the Kansas Department on Aging. The offering is
a MUST for CNA's to better understand how they contribute to preventing
skin problems in residents. Participants will receive free resources
to become more effective and knowledgeable in their profession and learn
better communication skills. This session also features door prizes
and useful tools for participants! Attendance at these trainings has
traditionally been very high and useful to participants. Based on the
excellent response, KAHSA will again apply for the Workforce Enhancement
Training Grant through KDOA to provide more Free CNA training in 2006.
Training dates are as follows:
- August 2 - Sternberg Museum in Hays
- August 9 - Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City
- August 16 - Lakeview Village in Lenexa
- August 23 - St. Joseph Village in Manhattan
- August 31 - Spiritual Life Center in Wichita
To register for one of these sites, click HERE
to download the brochure. For more information, email Dana
Weaver.
RAI 401 Medicare/PPS
Update/Medicaid Case Mix
Due to an imminent change in regulations, this workshop, originally
scheduled for July 14, 2005 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metro Complex will
be rescheduled for October 27th in order to incorporate regulation changes
into the meeting. Check our website for an updated registration form
and brochure. (Article submitted by Denise
Howell.)
Visit KAHSA's
Education Calendars today!
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Governor's Rural Life Task Force Requesting
Application
Governor Sebelius’ Rural Life Task Force is seeking
two rural communities to engage in a two-year process with the Task
Force and Governor to solve problems common to rural communities and
to build a sustainable future. A community can be a town, an alliance
of rural communities with populations of 2,000 or less, or a consortium
of niche businesses as long as the outcome of the project could benefit
many communities. The projects will be considered successful if they
help maintain the viability of the communities and serve as a template
for other communities. The first application deadline of July 15 is
quickly approaching. For more information on this process, contact Marci
Penner at 620.585.2374 or visit the Governor's Website by clicking HERE.
(Article submitted by Dana
Weaver.)
Congressman Convenes Roundtable on Nursing
Shortage
Over 100 persons gathered in Shawnee Mission on July 7 at the invitation
of Congressman Dennis Moore to talk about the nation’s nursing and nurse
instructor shortage. Congressman Moore, who is married to a nurse, observed,
“Kansas is just one of many states seeing fewer and fewer students that
are joining the ranks of the nursing profession. Nurses provide a great
service for the health of our community and nation. Staffing shortages
are increasing and recruiting new registered nurses is becoming increasingly
difficult for many reasons.”
A panel of nurses and nurse educators from the 3rd Congressional District
(mostly KC metro area) provided an overview of growing problems related
to nursing school capacity, nursing faculty recruitment and retention,
and nurse staffing shortages. Audience members engaged the Congressman
and panel in a Q&A and comment time. Among the ideas that emerged for
the roundtable was a federal loan forgiveness program for nurses seeking
higher education required to become nursing faculty.
Chris Osborn, DON at Lakeview Village in Lenexa attended on behalf of
KAHSA, and reports that the meeting focused on problems with recruitment
and retention of nursing faculty.
(Article submitted by Debra
Zehr.)
Nominees Sought for Kansas Commission on
Disability Concerns
The Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC) is taking applications
for appointment to KCDC, a state entity that makes recommendations to
policymakers and regulators for changes to laws, regulations and state
programs to improve the lives of Kansans with disabilities, particularly
related to employment. Download the documents by clicking Application
and Job
Description. Applications are due to by July 29, 2005. For more
information contact Martha Gabehart, KCDC Executive Director at 785.296.1722
or mgabehart@kansascommerce.com.
(Article
submitted by Debra Zehr.)
Replay of the FY 2006 Medicaid Reimbursement
Update
This update is available by dialing 888.203.1112
(Passcode: 62443362). The replay is available through August 11, 2005.
A copy of the PowerPoint slides can be obtained by clicking HERE.
(Article submitted by Edwina
Glass.)
CMS Request for
Public Comment on Tags F323 and F324
CMS has a multi-year contract with the American Institutes
for Research (AIR) to modify the guidance and decision-making protocol
for the long-term care survey process. The goal of the contract is to
achieve greater national consistency and accuracy in decision-making
and determinations of severity for deficiencies.
CMS intends that this draft will fully replace the current text of the
SOM for F323 and F324 and solicits comments from providers to assist
with the final document. Your review and comments are invaluable because
we will be living with the results of these revisions for a very long
time.
The document for review includes:
- A guidance component that includes a Statement of
Intent; Definitions, and Overview.
- The Systems Approach Section that directs surveyors
to evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of facility systems in
providing an environment free from those hazards over which the facility
has control; four components that should be addressed in a facility's
systems process are identifies: Identification of Hazards and Risks;
Evaluation and Analysis;' Implementation of Interventions; Monitoring
and Modification.
- Additional sections instruct surveyors to evaluate
the sufficiency of supervision provided to residents and to investigate
identified potential hazards as possible indicators of a facility's
failure to implement an effective "organizational culture of safety."
The latter section includes a discussion of the most common potential
hazards found in LTC facilities.
Please respond with recommendations for change or amendment
or commendation by citing the page number and paragraph/heading of the
material being referenced by Wednesday, August 3rd. Send
your comments to Evvie Munley who is the Sr. Health Policy Analyst at
AAHSA (Emunley@aahsa.org)
and please cc Carol Moore at clmoore@kahsa.org
so that KAHSA can be in a better position to support you with survey
issues. Click on CMS
Draft Revision Request for the document.
(Article submitted by Carol
Moore.)
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Dear DON,
I'm concerned about delegating tasks and mine or my charge nurses liability.
How can I best protect my staff and myself? Signed JSD
Dear JSD,
Many nurses think that they are responsible for all care provided to
their patients/residents-even care they delegate to other staff. If
you do delegate tasks to staff, you could be held liable for actions
of others only if you fail to act as any "reasonably prudent" nurse
would in a similar situation or fail to monitor the care the delegate
provides.
To protect yourself from liability, verify that the person to whom you
delegate a task is qualified to carry out the assignment safely and
accurately and is legally authorized to do so. Many facilities conduct
competency assessments of employees before they are allowed to provide
care. It is always a good practice to ask questions to satisfy for yourself
that the individual understands the delegated task, especially if you
aren't familiar with the employee's abilities. You may want to observe
the task being done to verify skill levels as you get to know your staff,
and you can assess the resident's response at that time also.
Do not delegate a task if you are unsure of the individual's abilities
or if you discover that the assignment cannot be carried out safely.
If you assign a task to someone who you know, or should have known,
is unqualified to complete it, you could be charged with failing to
delegate properly. If a patient/resident is harmed as a result, you
and your facility could be sued for negligence. (Response taken from
NSO Risk Advisor) (Article submitted by Carol
Moore.)
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