Quality Summit

Thank you to all attendees of the AHCA/NCAL 2024 Quality Summit in San Antonio, TX, May 20-22.


The goal of the Quality Summit 2024 was to offer innovative ideas, strategies, and inspiration to help provide the highest quality of care to residents. Expect this and more at the 2025 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit, where attendees will learn from experts and discover best practices on effective leadership, strategic planning, customer engagement, data management, workforce, and more.

Further details on the date and location of the 2025 Quality Summit will be posted at a later date.

‭(Hidden)‬ Registration

Attendee Eligibility

Attendee registration for this event is exclusively for long term care and post-acute care providers. Registration and attendance for companies and individuals who sell or market products and/or services to provider organizations is limited to sponsorship opportunities. AHCA/NCAL reserves the right to grant final approval for all registrants to attend this conference.

Registration Rates

Deadline: Thursday, May 9, 2024
  • AHCA/NCAL Member: $500
  • First-Time Attendee (Member): $400
  • Each Additional Member, from same facility: $450
  • State Executive Member: $325
  • Attendee Non-Member: $695
  • Discounted Quality Award Examiners: $300
Registration Questions? Contact meetings@ahca.org

All registrations include:

  • The opportunity to earn up to 8.75 CEs
  • Welcome reception, two breakfasts, and luncheon

General Information

Substitutions
Substitutions will be allowed up to five (5) calendar days prior to the conference.  Conference registration changes and/or substitutions must be made in writing via fax to (415) 293-4743. (Attn: AHCA/NCAL Registration), or contact the Quality Summit Registration Support Center

Cancellations/Refunds
Cancellations received on or before Thursday, May 9, 2024, will be refunded minus a $75.00 administrative fee. Any change or cancellation must be made in writing.  Refunds will not be issued after Thursday, May 9, 2024. Refunds will be processed within five (5) days following the end of the conference. Refunds or credits will not be made on no-shows. 
 
Conference Attire
Business casual attire is suitable for all meetings, sessions, and receptions. Please remember to bring a sweater or jacket for air-conditioned rooms.

Special Accommodations and Dietary Needs
If you require any special accommodations or have any special dietary needs, please contact AHCA/NCAL at meetings@ahca.org.
 
By registering for and/or attending the event, I acknowledge and agree that photographs, video, and other recordings of the event may be taken by AHCA/NCAL or parties acting on behalf of AHCA/NCAL and that these photographs, video, and other recordings may be used by AHCA/NCAL in any media now known or later invented for any purpose related to AHCA/NCAL’s mission, including educational, promotional, and awareness-related use. I give to AHC/NCAL unlimited permission to use my name, likeness, image, statements, and other information I may give to AHCA/NCAL whether through registration, at the event, or otherwise that may be necessary for AHCA/NCAL to make use of its rights in photographs, video, and other recordings.

‭(Hidden)‬ Hotel & Travel Information

Hyatt-Regency-San-Antonio-Riverwalk-P180-Hotel-Exterior-River-Walk.16x9.webp

Hyatt Regency San Antonio

123 Losoya Street, San Antonio, TX 78205


 

Make Your Reservation Early!

Take advantage of the special conference room rate. Make your reservation by Thursday, May 9, 2024. Reservation requests made after this date will be based on availability at the prevailing hotel rate. The hotel requires a first-night deposit of room and tax to guarantee accommodation.

Convention Management Resources Inc., (CMR) is AHCA/NCAL’s Quality Summit official registration and housing company. Please register and make your hotel reservation online. Conference registration is required to secure your hotel reservation.

Room Rates & Taxes

AHCA/NCAL has arranged for the special group rate of $239.00 per night single or double occupancy plus appropriate tax and service charges. This rate will be extended by three days pre- and post-conference dates, based on availability.

‭(Hidden)‬ Discounted Disney Tickets

disney.jpg​Disney currently provides exclusive After 1PM and After 5PM Twilight Tickets and special discounted multi-day tickets to Quality Summit attendees that are not available at our Ticket Windows. The multi-day tickets include a complimentary bonus visit to an additional Disney experience.  (Due to Covid-19 these options have been modified to include the mini-golf and Disney Oak Trail golf options.
 
To purchase specially priced Disney Meeting/Convention Theme Park tickets, please call 407-566-5600 or CLICK HERE.  Tickets are valid 7 days pre, during, and 7 days post meeting dates.  Please note the cut-off date for advance purchase savings is 05/13/2022.   
 
Please note: With the new Disney Theme Park Reservation System and park capacity limitations, it’s important to lock in your visit as soon as possible.  A park reservation is required for entry along with the ticket.

‭(Hidden)‬ Health & Safety

With health and safety remaining a priority for our attendees, we ask that the following be observed:

  1. Being up to date with current vaccines/boosters is preferred for all registered attendees.
  2. Masks are worn at the discretion of the attendees. 
  3. Do not travel if you have COVID until you meet the CDC criteria for returning to work for Healthcare Workers.
  4. If you have respiratory symptoms, please test for COVID before traveling and use a source control mask when around others indoors. 
  5. If you have had a recent high-risk exposure in the 10 days before a meeting or event, you should wear a mask for 10 days following the exposure and not participate in indoor activities where you may need to take off your mask (e.g., dining, drinking, coffee, etc.). High-risk exposure at work does not count if appropriate PPE was used during resident care.
  6. Follow all state, local, and private business health and safety measures that may be in place. 
  7. If you experience symptoms or are exposed while onsite, please self-quarantine in your hotel room and contact AHCA/NCAL staff (meetings@ahca.org) for a test kit.

Keynote Speakers

saulpaul.png

SaulPaul - Grammy Nominated Musician

May 21st | 9:30am - 10:30am

SaulPaul, a GRAMMY Nominated Musician with a Message, has conducted three TEDx Talks, mesmerized audiences at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, performed at SXSW and five Super Bowls, and wowed viewers of America’s Got Talent. His journey from tragedy to triumph has been immortalized in the documentary "Tower to Tower" and in his memoir "Be The Change." Recently, SaulPaul founded Change Water, an eco-friendly bottled water company that donates 50% of profits to local communities. Whether through music, art, entrepreneurship, or community service, SaulPaul embodies the ethos of #BeTheChange.

Follow him on Twitter/X @SaulPaul

Keynote Presentation: Is your glass half empty or half full?
How ever you view it – “What You See Is What You Get" Through personal trials, Saul​Paul discovered that altering his viewpoint transformed his life. During his keynote, you will learn about his inspiring journey, delivered with a blend of wit, wisdom, and insight on the profound power of perspective.

glenn.png

Glenn Van Ekeren - President, Vetter Senior Living

May 21st | 12:00pm - 12:45pm

For over 40 years, Glenn Van Ekeren has dedicated his work to helping people grow. As the President of Vetter Health Services in Omaha, Nebraska, he is passionate about inspiring his team members to assess and redefine the landscape of long term care. As an author and motivational speaker, Van Ekeren has written numerous books, conducted seminars, and delivered keynote addresses, guiding both individuals and organizations toward realizing their full potential. His down-to-earth approach and practical strategies have inspired others to enthusiastically live life to the fullest.

Keynote Presentation: Leadership for Challenging Times
Leaders are the heartbeat of their organization. To inspire, you must be inspired. To motivate, you must be motivated. To lead, you must be prepared to greet the personal and professional demands of leading with confidence, determination, and a dose of unquenchable passion. During his keynote presentation, Van Ekeren will share revitalizing principles that will reignite your passion for leadership, spur your dedication to inspiring others, and motivate you to renew your workplace culture.


Summit Agenda

‭(Hidden)‬ Monday, May 22

  • 11:00am – 5:00pm
    Registration Open
  • 2:00pm - 3:00pm
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    The Outliers - Some Centers Beat the Odds

    Speaker(s): David J. Farrell, MSW, LNHA

    Description:
    COVID has highlighted the dedication and courage of long-term care staff, the fragility of residents, and the impact of good leadership. The speaker offers insights and effective practices from Missouri, South Carolina and California centers that had better COVID related outcomes than their peers. At the same time, and not unrelated, these centers were able to maintain staff stability over the course of the pandemic. What can we learn from the outliers who faced the same challenges as their peers yet had better outcomes. The speaker will share knowledge and observations of best practices to stabilize staff, prevent and mitigate spread and increase vaccination and booster rates. Attendees will take home concrete practices that the outliers utilized to support their staff and create the conditions for stability and excellent infection control outcomes.

    Improving Resident & Staff Outcomes in Assisted Living

    Speaker(s): Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, CA-L, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living; Lisa Zeis, SLP, MS, Senior Director of Quality and Experience, Lifespark Senior Living

    Description:
    Why do we work in long term care?  The answer is simple.  We are here to support the residents and provide them with the best quality of life, and care, for however long they have with us while we continuously try to improve outcomes.  How can we improve the outcomes for residents as well as staff? Again, the answer is simple.  Facilities must be engaged in continuous quality improvement efforts, data collection, and system improvement processes. This session will be aimed at improving resident and staff outcomes through exploration of data collection, continuous systems improvement, and the quality journe
     

    Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness Hot Topics

    Speaker(s): David Hood, Senior Advisor / Technical Fellow, Jensen Hughes; Nick Gabriele, VP, Global Service Line Leader Healthcare + Emergency Management, Jensen Hughes

    Description:  
    Life safety and emergency preparedness are consistent survey focus areas for Skilled Nursing providers and state-level focus for Assisted Living providers.  This session will review survey trends, deficiency data and best practices for emergency preparedness and life safety readiness.  Current hot topics will be reviewed along with recent interpretations related to life safety or emergency preparedness.
  • 3:00pm – 3:30pm
    Marketplace Meet Up

    ​An opportunity to Meet our Sponsors and learn about products or services that can improve your organization’s performance or further enhance resident care.

  • 3:30pm - 4:30pm
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Infection Prevention and Control in Assisted Living

    Speaker(s): Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, C-AL, QCP, DNS-CT, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living, Schekesia Meadough, DNP, MSN/Ed, RN, CDP
    Vice President of Clinical and Health Services, Aegis Living

    Description:
    Prior to the pandemic, long term care had areas of opportunity to improve their infection prevention and control (IPC) programs.  COVID-19 shed a spotlight on the need to improve IPC programs in long term care. With emerging communicable diseases, including multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs), it is important that team members know and understand standard, enhanced barrier, contact, and airborne precautions.  This session will review what an effective assisted living IPC program should include, the part that QAPI plays in assisted living IPC, the importance of understanding IPC precautions, and the key stakeholders in assisted living to engage in the IPC program.
       

    The Interplay of Baldrige and QAPI

    Speaker(s): Tammy Kelly, PT, LNHA, RAC-CT, RAC-CTA, Director of RAI & Clinical Reimbursement, CCR, Inc.; Stacey Hord, MCD CCC-SLP, LNHA, Chief Business Development Officer, Associated Care Ventures, Inc.

    Description:
    The Baldrige framework is a set of nationally recognized criteria that helps businesses improve performance. A fundamental principal of the Baldrige framework is the idea of systems-based continuous quality improvement. This goes hand in glove with the concepts of QAPI. During this session, the presenters will share how the implementation of the Baldrige criteria into a facilities organization will enrich and support their QAPI plan. Further, the presenters will provide resources and action items to help facilities create, implement, refine, and sustain their QAPI plan.

    Hardwiring Excellence with High Performing Teams

    Speaker(s): Deb G. Fournier, Gero-RN, MSB, CHC, CPHQ, CIP, NHA, Owner, Health Care Executive, Fournier’s Oceana LLC
          
    Description:
    The presenter will describe and review the required elements for hardwiring excellence in long term care. She will also discuss strategies and share tools used in two organizations to achieve national quality recognition. The presenter will identify critical factors that create a climate for attaining high performance and share how she used the performance excellence framework to align systems.
  • 5:00pm - 6:00pm
    Hospitality Reception


‭(Hidden)‬ Tuesday, May 23

  • 8:00am - 5:00pm
    Registration Open
  • 7:30am - 9:30am
    Full Breakfast Buffet
  • 9:30am - 10:30am
    Opening General Session
    Speaker(s): Kathy Raethel

    Kathy is the former President and CEO of Adventist hospital and under her tenure they won the national Baldrige award. Kathy’s motto  “it’s all about love” is the motto that was adopted at Adventist under her tenure.


  • 10:30am - 10:45am
    Marketplace Meet Up

    ​An opportunity to Meet our Sponsors and learn about products or services that can improve your organization’s performance or further enhance resident care.

  • 10:45am - 11:45am
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Mentoring - The Bridge to Long-term Staffing Success

    Speaker(s): Angela R. Eslinger, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain, Direct Supply; Heather TerHark-Monreal, Vice President of Ancillary Services, VIVAGE Senior Living; Nichole Burger, Regional Vice President, Mission Health

    Description:  Learn how to build a practical and sustainable mentoring program that scales with your staffing situation and puts the people back in the center of mentoring. We’ll take you through a how-to so you can build a culture that enables formal and informal mentoring. You’ll leave with tools to launch a program that is measurable, fun and reinforces the organization’s goals. We’ll discuss the impact to the resident when there is consistent staff who are happy and engaged and show you that there are fewer mistakes when your staff is comfortable enough to be vulnerable and ask questions. Ultimately, this session will help you bridge the gap between a new hire to a committed employee and future leader.

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Senior Care

    Speaker(s): Michelle Maalouf, Head of Product, Marketing and Operations, Activated Insights

    Description:
    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in senior care is at forefront more so now than ever and while it’s obviously morally correct and in line with all senior care organizational values; it also makes business sense. You might ask, what is the value of diversity in an organization?

    Sometimes the data tells us what we already know, senior living and long-term care organizations with a DEI strategy achieve a more diverse and inclusive workforce widening their collective perspective and deliver better outcomes for their seniors and stakeholders while retaining and contributing to the growth of their employees. But how to collect DEI data and benchmark your senior care organization vs the market, implement and measure your DEI initiatives as well as ensuring equitable outcomes will separate on paper metrics from tangible cultural impacts.

    Surveying over 300k employees annually, Activated Insights will share the value, implementation strategies and key measurement metrics of diversity, inclusion and equity for senior care organizations.

    Leveraging AHCA LTC Trend Tracker SNF PDPM Utilization and Quality Measures Reports to Improve Care

    Speaker(s): Daniel E. Ciolek, PT, MS, PMP, Associate Vice President, Therapy Advocacy, American Health Care Association; Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS, RAC-MT, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-MTA, President & CEO, Celtic Consulting

    Description:
    Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a goal to have all Medicare fee-for-service providers, including SNFs, participate in some form of accountable care relationship that coordinates care across multiple types of providers.  Central to this effort is a desire to improve the value of care through improved outcomes at a lower cost.  Also, CMS has begun efforts at expanding the number of quality measures a SNF would be subject to in the SNF Medicare Part A value-based payment (VBP) incentive program where performance will determine if a SNF receives a bonus payment or a penalty depending on quality measure performance compared to peers.  AHCA has developed member tools in the AHCA Trend Tracker platform that permit SNFs to analyze their Medicare PDPM utilization trends to help identify issues that could be contributing to suboptimal quality measure performance.  In this session, the presenters will discuss the current CMS efforts at transitioning Medicare into a more value-oriented payment system, will explain how AHCA members can access the AHCA LTC Trend Tracker SNF PDPM Utilization and Quality Measures Reports for their building(s), and how they can utilize these reports in efforts to improve care and outcomes.     
  • 12:00pm - 1:00pm
    Networking Lunch (Association Update + NCAL Update)
  • 1:00pm - 1:30pm
    Marketplace Meet Up

    ​An opportunity to Meet our Sponsors and learn about products or services that can improve your organization’s performance or further enhance resident care.

  • 1:30pm - 2:30pm
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Building Trust for COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Long-Term Care

    Speaker(s): Courtney Bishnoi, Vice President of Quality & Regulatory Programs, AHCA/NCAL; Jerald Cosey, BA, HFA, CNA, Healthcare Speaker & Operational Leadership Development Director, American Senior Communities; David Gifford, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, AHCA/NCAL; Kayla Stocks, Manager, Federal Grants, AHCA/NCAL

    Description:
    The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. Trust between staff and management has been eroded in many long term care organizations due to vaccine mandates, constantly changing guidance and overall burnout and trauma from the pandemic. Research shows that the erosion of trust negatively affects patient quality and safety and staff well-being and vaccination uptake. As leaders in long term care, we have the ability to build a foundation of trust with our staff to improve outcomes and prepare our organizations for future challenges. Based on the science and art of trust building, this workshop provides you an opportunity to learn and practice innovative methods that will help you build trust with staff for vaccine uptake and develop a culture of safety and wellbeing.

    A Catalyst for Innovation is in Your Backyard

    Speaker(s): Heather Herlyn, MSN, RN, CPHQ, Director of Quality and Safety, Good Samaritan Society

    Description:
    The needs of seniors are comprehensive and evolving, so finding innovative ways to deliver care and sharpen your facility’s performance is a key to providing the best possible experience and outcomes for residents and staff. You may have opportunities to unlock greater innovation by working together with your hospital partner on programs, systems and strategies that enhance clinical care, improve quality outcomes and engage clinical teams in a new way. This session will provide insights into how the Good Samaritan Society, together with its parent company Sanford Health, has harnessed these opportunities, and how your facility can, too.

    Memory Care; Going Beyond a Secured Unit

    Speaker(s): Rebecca Slocum, PT, DPT, RAC-CTA, CDP, CHHRP-LTC, Clinical and Quality Specialist, Encore Rehabilitation

    Description:
    In the past year, CMS has developed an additional 20 ICD 10 codes for classifying dementia in patients. CMS and physicians are recognizing that not every patient with dementia should be treated the same way and that the diagnosis of dementia alone is no longer adequate to coordinate care.

    At the end of this training, you will feel confident developing a marketing program to sell your specific services to families and physicians alike, as well as describing your systems to surveyors to demonstrate overall competency in the memory care specialty.
  • 2:30pm - 3:00pm
    Marketplace Meet Up

    ​An opportunity to Meet our Sponsors and learn about products or services that can improve your organization’s performance or further enhance resident care.

  • 3:00pm - 4:00pm
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Lateral Workplace Violence – Creating a Safe Place for Staff and Residents

    Speaker(s): Barbara Speedling, Owner, Innovations for Quality Living

    Description:
    Stress, working short, not enough supplies, challenging resident and staff behaviors can all lead to frustration and tension.  When frustration and tension are high a perfect storm is created. The perfect storm is the possibility for lateral workplace violence to occur.  This session will identify what lateral violence is and what can be done to reduce the risk of lateral workplace violence.

    Evidence Based Fall Prevention

    Speaker(s): Karen A. Lerner, RN, MSN, ATP, CWS, Clinical VP, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare

    Description:
    Evidence-based fall prevention interventions are effective at decreasing falls and fall-related injuries among older adults. The extent to which this evidence has penetrated routine health-care practice in the United States remains unclear and data suggests that translation of fall-prevention evidence into practice is limited. This program will review the available evidence of various fall prevention systems implemented through the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), American Nurses Association (ANA) and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Specific examples of innovative evidence-based fall prevention strategies will be discussed.
        

    An IDT Approach to Operationalizing SDOH in SNF

    Speaker(s): Sabrena McCarley, MBA-SL, OTR/L, CLIPP, RAC-CT, QCP, FAOTA, Director of Clinical Reimbursement, Transitional Care Management

    Description:
    Skilled nursing facilities are being faced with various challenges of how to successfully address health inequities as well as the many components of social determinants of health impacting their patients, patient’s family members and their caregivers. It is easy for a skilled nursing facility to get overwhelmed by the unknown of how to operationalize these challenges, create resources and training material while updating their current policies and procedures. This session will focus on health equity and the different components within social determinants of health and connect the dots of how they are relevant within a skilled nursing facility for patient centered care and optimal discharge planning to prevent re-hospitalizations. This session will be focus on how each member of the interdisciplinary team plays a vital role in achieving patient centered care that is truly individualized based upon the patient’s economic stability, health care access and quality, education access and quality, their neighborhood and built environment as well as their social and community context. Additionally, this session will provide participants with resources and best practices that they will be able to take back to their facilities to train and put into place.
  • 4:00pm - 4:15pm
    Marketplace Meet Up
  • 4:15pm - 5:15pm
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Beyond the Crisis: Workforce Resources to Build Talent

    Speaker(s): Michelle Day, National Workforce Solutions Director, Equus Workforce Solutions

    Description:
    During this session, Equus Workforce Solutions, a comprehensive provider of workforce development services in North America, will provide an overview of workforce system resources designed to help employers recruit, develop, train, and retain skilled talent to meet business needs. The session will include information on partnership strategies to help employers in the healthcare and long-term care industry move beyond the crisis and build a skilled workforce. Participants will learn how to connect to resources, such as on-the-job wage subsidies and individual training accounts to offset the cost of professional development and to expand their talent pipeline.

    How to Prepare for a Deficiency Free Survey

    Speaker(s): April Diaz, RN, BSN, Vice President of Clinical Services, Marquis Companies; Elena Madrid, Executive Vice President for Regulatory Affairs, Washington Health Care Assocation

    Description:
    This session will provide a deep dive into the current survey trends as well as top citations. The speakers will explore some action steps facilities can take to proactively avoid citations and ensure that they are meeting regulatory requirements.
        

    An Introduction to the CoreQ Short-Stay Survey

    Speaker(s): Nicholas Castle, PhD, Department Chair, West Virginia University

    Description:
    The CoreQ surveys are a series of surveys for use with short-stay residents, long-stay residents, and family members of nursing facilities and residents and family members of assisted living facilities (i.e., five different surveys).  Information from items in the CoreQ surveys can be combined to create a score that gives a measure representing the overall satisfaction of participants with the facility.  Since development and release of the CoreQ surveys, they have been used in multiple initiatives.  This has included collection and use of the surveys by states including NJ, MI, OR, and CT.  The success of CoreQ surveys is partly due to their parsimonious nature, and standard data collection protocols employed.  The measures (scores) from the items are representative of the overall satisfaction of the facility.  This has great potential utility for public reporting purposes.   

    Recently, in rulemaking, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requested feedback on the inclusion of the CoreQ: Short Stay Discharge for possible use in the future.  If CMS were to adopt the CoreQ for use in their quality programs, it will be important for facilities to understand this measure.  Discuss this with one of the CoreQ developers at this session.

‭(Hidden)‬ Wednesday, May 24

  • 7:30am - noon
    Registration Open
  • 8:00am - 8:45am
    Marketplace Meet Up
  • 8:45am - 10:00am
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Bronze Quality Award Train the Trainer Workshop

    Speaker(s): Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, C-AL, QCP, DNS-CT, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living; Urvi Patel, Senior Director, Quality Improvement, American Health Care Association

    Description:
    The first step in the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program is the Bronze – Commitment to Quality Award. The Bronze Award level provides applicants with the tools and resources they need for continuous improvement in quality care. Through the Bronze criteria, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, applicants assess their organization’s mission, vision, and key factors that lead to success. Join this session to learn how to effectively facilitate a Bronze Quality Workshop using a case study, lectures, videos, sharing and feedback. This session is perfect for individuals responsible for providing applicant training or support.

    At What Cost? How to Operationalize a Cost-effective Skin and Wound Care Program

    Speaker(s):  Melissa Morgan, MSN, RN, CWCN, Clinical Resource Manager, Medline Industries, LP
     
    Description: The cost of pressure injuries is on the rise. From cost of treatment, increased length of stay, decreased reimbursement and litigation, do you know what you are spending? In this session, the fundamental components of a skin and wound care program will be discussed with an emphasis on how to drive positive clinical outcomes, mitigate risk and decrease the financial impact on your organization.

    Improving the Quality of Care with CMS and Quality Improvement Organizations

    Speakers: Anita Monteiro, MSHCA, MA, MBA, BSN, Director, iQuality Improvement & Innovation Group (iQIIG), Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Colleen Frey, RN, MSN, CPHQ, ACHE, Acting Director, QIN QIO Program – Nursing Homes and Community Health, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS); Paul Rosen, MD, MPH, MMM - Medical Officer, iQuality Improvement and Innovation Group, Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

    Description: The Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) program, one of the largest federal programs dedicated to improving health quality for Medicare beneficiaries, is an integral part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human (HHS) Services' National Quality Strategy for providing better care and better health at lower cost. By law, the mission of the QIO Program is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency, economy, and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries.

    As directed by the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS), the QIO Program provides nursing homes with no-cost quality improvement tools, training, coaching and resources to help them improve their overall 5-Star Quality Rating and clinical measures for resident care. Nursing homes also receive assistance to reduce Covid-19 infections through vaccination programs and infection prevention, improve medication safety, reduce preventable emergency room visits and readmissions, and prevent falls and pressure ulcers.

    This session, presented by the leaders of the CMS QIO program, will provide more information on the QIO program purpose and goals, and how partnering with your local QIO can benefit your organization.
  • 10:00am - 10:15am
    Marketplace Meet Up


  • 10:15am - 11:30am
    Concurrent Sessions - Pick 1 of 3 Options

    Proactive Financial Success Strategies for SNF Leaders

    Speaker(s): Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, VP of Education and Certification Strategy, American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing; Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS, RAC-MT, QCP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-MTA, President & CEO, Celtic Consulting

    Description:
    The budgets of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have never been tighter, with most providers cutting any unnecessary items from their expenses. However, instead of cutting items, providers should consider focusing on opportunities to maintain or increase revenue. Managed care receivables, the SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP), and the SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program all impact the facility’s bottom line in different ways. Also, the changes coming with MDS 3.0 version 1.18.11, effective Oct. 1, 2023, will significantly impact these programs as well as Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. During this 75-minute session, AAPACN Vice President of Education and Certification Strategy, Amy Stewart, MSN, RN, DNS-MT, QCP-MT, RAC-MT, RAC-MTA, and Celtic Consulting President and CEO, Maureen McCarthy, RN, BS, RAC-MT, CQP-MT, DNS-MT, RAC-MTA, will examine how facility leaders can implement strategies that ensure accurate reimbursement and prevent financial losses from these programs. The presenters will also discuss best practices and strategies to implement forthcoming MDS changes so they will be better prepared for the Oct. 1 transition. Nurse leaders will learn how to manage managed care, earn revenue back, and implement proactive operational strategies that will impact their facility’s financial success.

    Improving Your Organization’s Performance Through Root Cause Analysis

    Speaker(s): Andrew Martin, MSN, RN, CPHRM, Patient Safety Analyst/Consultant, ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices PSO; Mary C. Magee, MSN, CPPS, CPHQ, Patient Safety Analyst/Consultant, ECRI

    Description:
    The purpose of a Root Cause Analysis is to find out what happened, why it happened, and determine what changes need to be made to prevent similar events from occurring. Through this session, participants will utilize a stepwise approach to conducting a complete and thorough root cause analysis. This will include determining when to conduct a root cause analysis, conducting the investigation and analysis, developing effective and sustainable action plans and measuring the effectiveness of the mitigation strategies.

    Data Tracking and Trending – It’s Not Just for SNFs Anymore!

    Speaker(s): Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/ED, RN, C-AL, QCP, DNS-CT, RAC-CT, CDP, Director, Quality Improvement, National Center for Assisted Living; KeShawn Heard (Franklin), Manager, LTC Trend Tracker & Quality, American Health Care Association; Jennifer Svoboda, BSW, MHA, Director of Standards, Arete Living

    Description: Assisted Living communities are no longer able to provide anecdotal information as a means of justification.  Data to support the quality of care and services provided is becoming increasingly important.  Unfortunately, data tracking and trending is still a new philosophy for many assisted living communities.  This session will explore the benefits, rationales, and importance of tracking and trending data in assisted living.
  • 12:00pm
    Quality Summit Concludes

​Education & Agenda


Download Sessions & Agenda


A Guide to Navigating the Quality Summit Educational Sessions

Welcome to the AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit! The goal of the Quality Summit is to provide you with innovative ideas, strategies, and inspiration to ensure your organization is providing the highest quality of care to your residents.

This year, the AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit features educational sessions that reflect the seven criteria categories of the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The Baldrige framework is the foundation of the AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program, a program that has been helping long term care centers achieve and sustain performance excellence for nearly ​30 years.

The seven Baldrige criteria categories listed below provide a framework for organizations to focus on key areas that contribute to overall organizational excellence. By addressing these key areas, organizations can enhance their competitiveness, drive innovation, and achieve sustainable success. They also relate to the elements of CMS’ Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement (QAPI), a regulatory requirement for all CMS-certified nursing facilities.

Leadership: Leadership sets the direction, creates a vision, and establishes organizational values. It plays a crucial role in fostering an environment of continuous improvement and innovation.
Strategy: Effective strategic planning ensures that organizations have a clear roadmap for achieving their goals. It helps align resources and efforts toward achieving desired outcomes.
Customers: Understanding and meeting customer needs is essential for organizational success. High-performing organizations build strong relationships with customers, gather feedback, and continuously improve customer satisfaction and engagement.
Measurement, Analysis, and Knowledge Management: Organizations need to measure their performance, analyze data, and use knowledge effectively to drive improvement. Data-driven decision-making and knowledge sharing enables shared decision-making and fosters transparency.
Workforce: A skilled and motivated workforce is critical for achieving organizational objectives. High-performing organizations focus on employee engagement, development, and creating a positive work environment. This enables them to retain current staff and enhances their recruitment efforts.
Operations: Efficient and effective operations contribute to overall organizational performance. Strong operations rely on systematic processes for product and service delivery deployed widely throughout the organization, and continuously evaluated and improved.
Results: Organizations are judged by the results they can produce. Outcomes achieved by the organization, including customer satisfaction, financial performance, and societal impact should be tracked, trended, and compared against relevant comparisons so that an assessment is available on organizational performance.

For attendees with a specific focus, such as clinical leaders, infection preventionists, or human resource professionals, it may be appropriate to attend sessions in specific categories (e.g., leadership and workforce or operations and results). For leaders with a broader scope, such as administrators or directors of nursing, we encourage you to be a “criteria explorer” and attend one session in each category. This will allow you to maximize your learning and participation at the Quality Summit.

‭(Hidden)‬ Special Thanks!

AHCA/NCAL would like to recognize the Quality Cabinet Committees​ ​

  • AHCA Quality Improvement Committee
  • NCAL Quality Committee
  • AHCA Survey/Regulatory Committee
  • AHCA Clinical Practice Committee
  • AHCA/NCAL Customer Experience Committee
  • AHCA/NCAL Workforce Committee
  • AHCA/NCAL Emergency Preparedness and Life Safety Committee 

‭(Hidden)‬ Raffle Opportunity for Criteria Explorers

We are also offering an exciting opportunity to enhance your conference experience and win a fantastic prize! Our goal is to encourage you to explore a diverse range of topics and sessions during the conference. Here is how you can participate and stand a chance to win: 

How to Participate:
1) Plan to attend one session within each criteria category (e.g., Leadership, Strategy, Customers, Measurement. Workforce, Operations, Results) throughout the conference.
2) Pick up a ribbon representing that criteria category to prove your attendance (ribbons will be available in each session room). 
3) Bring your ribbons to the registration desk on Wednesday to enter your name into the raffle. Remember, you must have one ribbon for each of the 7 categories of the Baldrige criteria to qualify!

The winner of the raffle will receive a free registration to the 2025 Quality Summit (transferable within your company) plus an American Express gift certificate.