National Nursing Assistant Week is a great way to publicly recognize nursing assistants and the work they do. This year, it's also an opportunity to raise awareness of an important bill working through the Wisconsin legislature which would align Wisconsin CNA training hourly requirements with the federal standard.
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As health care reform continues to be considered by Congress, Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson (R) this week raised concerns regarding both process and policy.
Johnson told reporters on Monday that he had not seen all that was included in the Senate's version of the health care bill and that he was concerned by lack of transparency in the drafting process. Johnson also said that he would work to ensure states that did not opt to expand Medicaid under the ACA - including Wisconsin - would not be unfairly penalized under the new health care proposal:
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The Emergency Preparedness Final Rule was released on Friday, September 16, 2016. The rule impacts skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IIDs), but does not apply to assisted living providers.
On June 2, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidance (IG), which can be found here. AHCA members are highly encouraged to look through the IG. Providers will need to comply with the final rule by November 2017.
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Last Monday, American Health Care Association President and CEO Mark Parkinson joined association members to meet with the Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price, M.D., to discuss challenges the long term care profession faces as the nation’s population ages and the importance of maintaining access to quality long term care.
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A generous member has donated $5,000 to the PAC, pushing our year-to-date total to $13,681. That means we are 68% of the way to our goal!
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In July, WHCA/WiCAL will offer a can't miss series of regional workshops on changes to the Requirements of Participation. This "hot topic" presentation will offer providers the information and tools to implement key elements of the Requirements of Participation that go into effect in Phase 2 on November 28, 2017.
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We are adding tools and resources for our membership and focusing on ease of use. Check out the RoP and Quality pages to see the updates. Let us know what you think, what you would like added, etc. Thanks for checking it out!!
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The fourth Financial Affairs Webinar of 2017 will be hosted on June 21 and presented by Jeff Grady of Heartland Business Systems. This session will be from 2:00-3:00 p.m. and will cover the topic of HIPAA & Data Security.
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Is your facility ready to present its QAPI plan to the State Survey Agency beginning November 28, 2017?
Jackie Strader, RN, BSN, CDP, QCP is available to assist our membership in meeting this requirement.
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As a member-driven association, WHCA/WiCAL is committed to adapting and improving to meet new challenges and demands that face our member facilities.
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Be sure to join WHCA/WiCAL Members and Business Partners for the 2017 Care Classic, a fun-filled event where camaraderie takes precedence over competition, and even non-golfers are encouraged and welcomed to come and join in the fun! Be sure to attend this great WHCA/WiCAL tradition of 38 years on Monday, July 17, 2017.
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For members currently participating in the WiCAL PEAL program, data for the Quarter II reporting period can now be saved. *PLEASE NOTE: Data can only be SAVED at this time. July 1-July 15 is the submission period. This is to allow participants ample time to enter in data. However, you CANNOT SUBMIT until the specified date (July 1-July 15). Participants must log in and submit the saved data accordingly.
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Members of the Legislature’s budget-writing committee have amended the state’s next budget to expand a program that integrates healthcare with long-term care for frail elders and those with disabilities.
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WHCA/WiCAL is committed to offering the best programming available to the long term care provider community. As a member-driven association, we also greatly value the contributions, input, and suggestions of our members and business partners.
As WHCA/WiCAL considers programming for the 2017 Fall Convention to be held this year in Green Bay, we want to offer members and business partners the opportunity to submit programming proposals.
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Jim Collins will be the Opening Keynote Speaker for the 2017 AHCA/NCAL Annual Convention. Jim’s current research is focused on the ideas and contributions of up and coming leaders (those under 35).
He will be doing a special Socratic education session for these folks immediately following the opening general session on Monday, October 16. Seating at the session is very limited. There is no charge to attend the session but anyone who RSVP’s must be registered for and attending convention.
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The Top-Line Publication is a quarterly summary report that highlights a centers progress on Five Star, AHCA/NCAL Quality Initiative, rehospitalization rates and survey ratings. This week we continue by reviewing your Quality Intiative Information/Data provided on Top Line. This information is invaluable to communicate to your staff and explain where your facility is at currently and goals you are trying to achieve. This is your QA data to know what PI to put into place. If your organization is not registered as a user in the LTC Trend Tracker sign up today at www.ltctrendtracker.com.
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WHCA/WiCAL is proud to be involved with The Wisconsin Coalition for Person Directed Care (WiPDC). The coalition was formed originally in 2005. It is made up of several stakeholders in the field of long term care who have come together with a common vision: creating an environment that affirms the dignity and value of each individual residing in Wisconsin's long-term continuum of care.
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On May 31 Representatives introduced the Assembly Joint Resolution 54. This piece of legislation requested June 2017 to be recognized as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. On June 7, Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month was place on the calendar.
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