Reminders for Residents with Electronic Cigarettes | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Reminders-for-Residents-with-Electronic-Cigarettes.aspx | Reminders for Residents with Electronic Cigarettes | | | | | 2/23/2024 5:00:00 AM | | <div>Electronic cigarettes are being used more frequently by residents in skilled nursing facilities. Below are some reminders on regulations and safety concerns related to e-cigarettes in facilities. <a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/guidanceforlawsandregulations/downloads/appendix-pp-state-operations-manual.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Appendix PP</a> states, e-cigarettes do not pose the same dangers of ignition as regular cigarettes. However, they are not without risk. Some risks associated with e-cigarettes include: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li>Potential health risks to the smoker </li><li>Second-hand aerosol exposure </li><li>Nicotine overdose </li><li>Explosion or fire caused by the battery <br></li></ul></div><div><br>Facilities are responsible for overseeing the use and storage of these devices to maintain an accident-free environment. Some tips to keep your residents safe include: </div><div> </div><div><ul><li>Assess residents for safety prior to allowing them to use the device </li><li>Consider keeping devices at the nurses’ station, like securing residents’ cigarettes </li><li>Keep loose batteries in a case to prevent contact with metal objects </li><li>Never charge a vape device with a phone or tablet charger, only use the appropriate charging equipment </li><li>Only charge devices during the daytime hours<a href="https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/tips-help-avoid-vape-battery-or-fire-explosions" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"></a><br></li><li>Replace the batteries if they get damaged or wet </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div>For more information on e-cigarette safety, visit the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/tips-help-avoid-vape-battery-or-fire-explosions" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Food and Drug Administration website</a>. Please send questions to <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">regulatory@ahca.org</a>. <br></div> | Here are some reminders on regulations and safety concerns related to e-cigarettes in skilled nursing facilities. | |
Clarification Regarding the NHSN 2023 Annual Survey Requirements | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Clarification-Regarding-the-NHSN-2023-Annual-Survey-Requirements.aspx | Clarification Regarding the NHSN 2023 Annual Survey Requirements | | | | | 1/16/2024 5:00:00 AM | | <div>Nursing facilities may have received a recent email from the National Health and Safety Network (NHSN) stating they are required to complete the 2023 <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/psc/locations.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">annual facility survey</a> by March 1, 2024, or they may see an interruption in their service in NHSN. </div><div><br></div><div>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarified that the 2023 annual facility survey is only required for providers who are reporting into the HAI modules (UTI/MDRO/CDI/PPM). Therefore, providers who submit data outside of these modules (i.e., COVID-10, annual Health Care Provider Influenza Vaccination data) are NOT required to complete the survey. </div><div><br></div><div>For additional questions or concerns, please contact the <a href="mailto:nhsn@cdc.gov?subject=2023%20Annual%20Facility%20Survey" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">NHSN Help Desk</a> or the AHCA <a href="mailto:regulatory@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">regulatory team</a>.<br></div><p></p> | Nursing facilities may have received a recent email from the National Health and Safety Network stating they are required to complete the 2023 annual facility survey by March 1, 2024, or they may see an interruption in their service in NHSN.
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HCS Assisted Living Study Underway | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/HCS-Assisted-Living-Study-Underway.aspx | HCS Assisted Living Study Underway | | | | | 10/31/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <p>Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) is conducting its annual <a href="https://hhcsinc.com/survey-questionnaires.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Study</a> and requests your participation. Assisted Living providers are asked to complete the study’s questionnaire by November 20. The study is published by HCS and supported by NCAL. <br></p><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">There is no cost to participate. Participants may purchase the results at the reduced price of $185, versus the $375 nonparticipant rate. Questionnaires may be downloaded at: </span><a href="http://www.hhcsinc.com/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">www.hhcsinc.com</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">. </span><br></p><p><a href="https://www.hhcsinc.com/hcs-reports.html" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Last year’s Report </a>contained data from over 1,100 ALFs/RCFs/PCFs nationwide. The results cover management salaries, nonmanagement wages, and fringe benefits. Data will be reported by region, state, CBSA, revenue size, profit type, and bed-size. Information on eighteen fringe benefits, shift differentials, turnover rates, sign-on bonuses, and other facility/staffing metrics will also be included. The results will be published in January 2024.<br></p><p><span style="font-size:11pt;">For any questions or deadline extension requests, please contact Rich Cioffe at </span><a href="mailto:rcioffe@hhcsinc.com" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" style="font-size:11pt;">rcioffe@hhcsinc.com</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">, (201) 405-0075, ext. 10.</span></p><div><br></div> | Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service is conducting its annual Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Study and requests your participation. | |
Share Your Experience Renovating Your Nursing Home | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Share-Your-Experience-Renovating-Your-Nursing-Home.aspx | Share Your Experience Renovating Your Nursing Home | | | | | 10/10/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>The <a href="https://movingforwardcoalition.org/taking-action/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition</a> is working to promote policies that will incentivize investment in nursing home physical plant improvements, including renovations toward less institutional and more residential household models. (You can read the Coalition's Action Plan on the topic <a href="https://movingforwardcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Financing-Household-Models.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">here</a>.) </div><div><br></div><div>The Coalition recognizes that many organizations have just started a longer renovation journey or may only have resources to make small changes, while others started this journey years ago. No matter where you are in the process, the Coalition wants to know what you've done to improve your built environment and the ways the changes have impacted your community. </div><div><br></div><div>The brief <a href="https://forms.gle/mz2DgacPaaWM5kWK9" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">survey</a> is intended to get a sense of what changes your home may have made in the last 10 years, as well as whether you might be willing to have a conversation with the Coalition about your experience. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Consider responding by October 30</strong> to this <a href="https://forms.gle/mz2DgacPaaWM5kWK9" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">survey</a> aimed to provide the Coalition with the information to develop and advocate for policies that incentivize these improvements. <br></div><p></p> | The Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition is working to promote policies that will incentivize investment in nursing home physical plant improvements, including renovations toward less institutional and more residential household models. | |