WHCA/WiCAL is requesting information from members on the effects that COVID-19 is having on long-term care facilities, namely with funding, staffing, and testing. Please send in your responses by close of business today, October 23.
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The CDC is partnering with CVS and Walgreens to provide on-site COVID-19 vaccination to residents of Wisconsin skilled nursing and assisted living facilities once vaccination is recommended for them. Facilities can partner with CVS, Walgreens, or their existing LTC pharmacy.
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“Stop the Covid Spread!” is a coalition of Wisconsin’s leading health care, business, and advocacy organizations along with prominent individuals who have joined together to urge the public to take preventative measures seriously so that we can all continue to safely participate in Wisconsin’s economy.
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Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced changes to the reporting requirements and expanded the types of providers who could apply for Provider Relief Funds. All Phase 3 applicants will have until 10:59PM CST on November 6, 2020 to submit their applications for payment consideration.
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AHCA/NCAL has vetted countless vendors and concluded that the best indicator of potential suppliers is members’ experiences ordering and receiving supplies in this uncertain time. AHCA/NCAL has compiled a list of vendors that have successfully delivered PPE to long term care providers during the pandemic.
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The Bureau of Assisted Living (BAL) has regularly required assisted living providers to submit a Plan of Correction (POC) when issued Statement of Deficiency (SOD) that contains violations following a survey. The POC describes the action the assisted living provider will take to address the issued violations, how they will maintain regulatory compliance, and a date of completion for correcting each violation(s).
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The Department of Health Services (DHS) recently released the following resources to assist long-term care facilities with staffing shortages.
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BD has released new training resources on batch testing and reporting with the BD Veritor System. Members who are using the BD Veritor System for Point of Care (POC) COVID-19 testing are strongly encouraged to check out these new resources.
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The Division of Quality Assurance is holding a webinar that will include information regarding nurse aide Emergency Training Program (ETP) updates, modification of hours for currently-approved permanent training programs, and the process to apply for a new permanent program..
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On September 29, we hosted a recruitment webinar for all CNA training programs to learn more about participating in WisCaregiver Careers. We had 97 attendees including representatives from all 16 Wisconsin Technical College System campuses. Representatives from 20 different nursing homes were also in attendance.
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In less than two weeks, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will implement the soft launch phase of electronic visit verification (EVV). To assist with EVV readiness in the weeks following the November 2, 2020 soft launch, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has added two weeks of additional live webinar training for administrators to the training schedule.
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Assisted living providers and stakeholders are invited to attend our Assisted Living Forum. During this time, Bureau of Assisted Living will provide answers to questions related to COVID-19 and assisted living facilities.
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Attend our upcoming webinar to learn more about the WisCaregiver Careers Employer Consortium. We will discuss employer roles and responsibilities, program enhancements for 2021, and collect your ideas on how we can improve the employer experience.
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In an updated memo from HHS, the point-of-care testing results are now required as part of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system. The HHS memo identifies that “CMS-certified long term care facilities shall submit point-of-care COVID-19 testing data, including antigen testing data, to CDC’s NHSN." To report the point-of-care test results to NHSN, facilities will need to upgrade from SAMS Level-1 access to SAMS Level-3 access.
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WiCAL members are encouraged to maximize their membership benefit via participation in the association’s Performance Excellence in Assisted Living (PEAL) quality advancement program. PEAL is part of the larger Wisconsin Collaborative Coalition for Excellence in Assisted Living (WCCEAL), which is the Department of Health Services’ initiative encouraging proactive compliance and recognizing assisted living providers who participate in a DHS-approved, association-based quality initiative.
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WHCA/WiCAL has partnered with AHCA/NCAL and other State Associations to bring you comprehensive assistance in applying for the National Quality Awards. These Virtual Workshops will help you better understand the application criteria, scoring, and strategies for a successful application submission. Complete the Bronze Award application from beginning to end with coaching support along the way from our expert facilitators!
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The National Quality Award portal is now open, and accepting Intent to Apply submissions for the 2021 program year.
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AHCA/NCAL’s expanded version of its popular Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO Version 2) online training is on sale through October 31. Save $50 off regular registration prices this month by using promo code IPCO2020 when enrolling.
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WHCA/WiCAL and its Valued Gold Business Partners welcome you to join us during fun, informal, interactive Facebook Live Sessions! WHCA/WiCAL will be streaming short 30 minute videos, live on the WHCA/WiCAL Facebook page throughout the next month.
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AHCA/NCAL has developed an updated its fact sheet on the 3-Day Stay and Benefit-Period Waivers for Medicare Part A SNF PPS.
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Due to safety concerns, the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) determined that Special Voting Deputies (SVDs) will not be dispatched to care facilities to administer voting for the November 3, 2020, General Election. Residents of care facilities normally served by SVDs will instead be mailed absentee ballots.
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