WHCA/WiCAL, in partnership with Pathway Health, is pleased to announce the launch of a new member benefit: The Regulatory and Clinical Support Hotline.
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We are excited to announce an amazing opportunity to join a hybrid Associate Degree in Nursing (ASN) program at Herzing University. Herzing’s hybrid ASN focuses on patient-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, safety, quality improvement and informatics.
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Attendees, Exhibitors, and Sponsors - Register TODAY for the 62nd Annual Spring Conference & Expo!
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With winter and holiday gatherings right around the corner, it's important to be well-prepared against respiratory viruses.
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Register today for the 2023 Wound Treatment Associate Certification Program. Space is limited and the program sells-out each year.
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In case you missed it, last week in its May Visa Bulletin, the State Department indicated a green card freeze impacting international nurses, at a time when the long term care profession desperately needs more nurses.
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On March 20, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a
press release describing the increased spread of
Candida auris (
C. auris) in U.S. health care facilities. The CDC also noted a tripling in the number of cases in 2021 that were resistant to echinocandins, the antifungal most frequently used for treatment of
C. auris.
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In 2018, CMS issued guidance that addressed care at home provisions for nursing home residents that were receiving home dialysis. Since that time, CMS has received questions, comments, and feedback from the state survey agencies, the dialysis provider community, as well as other Federal and non-Federal stakeholders.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO Memo
QSO-23-05-NH, which outlines how audits on erroneous Schizophrenia coding will impact Five-Star ratings. The memo also outlines how CMS displays citations under dispute on Nursing Home Compare but will not affect Five-Star until the disputes are resolved.
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WHCA/WiCAL is pleased to announce that, through a partnership with MetaStar, Wisconsin’s Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), and LeadingAge WI, we are offering our member nursing facilities an opportunity to participate in Pressure Injury and Diabetic Neuropathic Foot education and training over the next two years.
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Wisconsin continues to see a high number of viruses circulating including COVID, RSV and Influenza. Wisconsin’s Bureau of Communicable Diseases has prepared comprehensive guidance to assist facilities in preparing for and managing viral outbreaks:
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On Tuesday, November 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) held a webinar on Enhanced Barrier Precaution (EBP) guidance and frequently asked questions.
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WHCA/WiCAL is working with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin to maximize Influenza and COVID 19 booster vaccination.
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WHCA/WiCAL is working with the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin to maximize Influenza and COVID 19 booster vaccination.
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In a positive development, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has rescinded
QSO-22-25-CLIA, a recent memo which had eliminated the use of SARS-CoV-2 tests outside of the test’s instructions for use.
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At the start of the pandemic, some but not all of the SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care (POC) Antigen (Ag) tests were limited to use on individuals who are symptomatic. Thus, in December 2020, CMS released a memo saying it would use enforcement discretion to allow providers with CLIA Certificate of Waiver to use these tests outside of the FDA approved manufacturer’s use. CMS has now rescinded this memo as many POC Ag tests are now approved for both symptomatic patients AND serial screening of asymptomatic patients.
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WHCA/WiCAL’s national affiliate, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), is aggressively advocating on our behalf to convince Congress to pass HR 7744. This bill would reverse CMS’ action sunsetting the temporary nurse aide waiver and reinstate it for up to 24 months following the end of the public health emergency.
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Cases of Monkeypox continue to be identified in Wisconsin and across the nation. The Wisconsin Bureau of Communicable Diseases has issued an advisory on protective policies and patient/resident intake measures to protect your employees, patients/residents and visitors
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This week, Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS), Healthcare-Associated Infections Prevention Program (HAI), issued its own communication to providers related to new CDC guidance on Enhanced Barrier Precautions. In addition to reviewing the updated CDC guidance, the state communication also addresses other important points, and raises some additional questions.
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This week, Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS), Healthcare-Associated Infections Prevention Program (HAI), issued its own communication to providers related to new CDC guidance on Enhanced Barrier Precautions. In addition to reviewing the updated CDC guidance, the state communication also addresses other important points, and raises some additional questions.
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Coinciding with a new
report on antimicrobial resistance, the CDC has updated its guidance on
enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for all health care settings, including nursing homes.
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Coinciding with a new
report on antimicrobial resistance, the CDC has updated its guidance on
enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for all health care settings, including nursing homes.
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The HAI Prevention Program has released a new guide designed to aid Wisconsin nursing homes in the prevention and control of a group of highly concerning "targeted" MDROs.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a
summary document for interim clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines that are currently authorized or approved in the United States.
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This week, Matt Palmer, RHP from PharMerica was the guest speaker for the weekly DON Council support call.
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The
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now offering free, five-minute learning modules for frontline nursing home staff. These online videos address emotional, organizational, and clinical challenges that many nursing homes are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now offering free, five-minute learning modules for frontline nursing home staff. These online videos address emotional, organizational, and clinical challenges that many nursing homes are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) is seeking input from the public as part of the measure development process. CMS has posted Draft Measure Specifications: SNF Healthcare-Associated Infections Requiring Hospitalizations for the SNF QRP (SNF HAI measure).
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