CMS to Return to Normal Survey Process

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) memo to states August 17 instructing them to return to normal survey process as soon as resources in the state allow and in accordance with states' reopening plans. It also provides guidance on how to resolve pending enforcement actions suspended as a result of prior QSO memos on March 23, 2020 and June 1, 2020 that suspended some survey enforcement actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 23, 2020, CMS issued the QSO 20-20-All memorandum, which limited survey activity to focused infection control surveys. On June 1, 2020, CMS issued the QSO 20-31-All memorandum that provided survey re-prioritization guidance to transition to more routine oversight and survey activities. This latest memo instructs states to restart all normal surveys as possible.

CMS intends to resolve suspended enforcement cases and provide guidance for closing them out going forward starting today. This process involves four components that are described in the QSO memo:

1. Expanding the Desk Review policy for Plans of Corrections (POCs); 
2. Processing enforcement cases that were started BEFORE March 23, 2020; 
3. Processing enforcement cases that were started ON March 23, 2020, THROUGH May 31, 2020; and 
4. Processing enforcement cases that were started ON OR AFTER June 1, 2020.

CMS is also issuing updated guidance for the re-prioritization of routine state survey agency (SA) Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) survey activities, subject to the SA’s discretion, in addition to lifting the restriction on processing CLIA enforcement actions, and issuing the Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction (Form CMS-2567) for CLIA citations.
Providers with questions about past enforcement actions suspended during the pandemic should contact their state survey agency for guidance as there are many scenarios that may not be fully addressed by this memo.

Per CMS, questions about a specific enforcement cycle may be addressed with the specific CMS location.

• Long-Term Care questions should be addressed to: DNH_Enforcement@cms.hhs.gov
• CLIA questions should be addressed to: LabExcellence@cms.hhs.gov

General questions for AHCA should be sent to COVID19@ahca.org.

Your Top-Line with NHSN COVID-19 Data Released

On Wednesday, August 12 the 2020-Q3 Top-Line for skilled nursing centers was released. For the first time, it allows facilities to compare their staff and resident COVID-19 case data to other nursing centers in their county and state. 

The publication summarizes COVID-19 case data required by CMS to be submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by nursing centers. The data released by CMS is updated every Thursday afternoon.

For additional details, including resources to access LTC Trend Tracker click here.

Available Now! 2021 AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Applications

Application packets for the 2021 National Quality Award Program are now available online. The Quality Award portal opens September 17, 2020 when applicants can begin to submit their payment for the intent to apply and begin to write or submit their applications in the portal.

Consider applying for this prestigious award. Participating in the program has many benefits including:

• Providing a proven framework that organizations can use to make improvements in any clinical, quality or other operational issue (i.e. staff engagement, customer satisfaction, hospital readmissions).
• Preparing organizations to meet regulatory requirements and navigate a changing market. 
• Serving as a team building activity to engage staff across all levels of the organization.
• Organizations gaining national recognition 
• Serving as a marketing resource for consumers, referral sources and other key stakeholders.
• Participants receiving customized feedback with their top strengths and improvement areas.

Please visit the Bronze, Silver, or Gold application pages to download your respective award level application materials and to learn how your center should begin preparing.

Key 2021 Program Dates:

• September 17, 2020 – Quality Award Portal opens
• November 12, 2020 – Intent to Apply Deadline
• January 28, 2021 – Application and Fee Deadline 

If you’re interested in other ways to get involved, consider becoming an Examiner for the 2021 program cycle. Examiners play a significant role in reviewing Quality Award applications and impacting quality improvement in organizations across the country. Examiner program applications will be available on September 17, 2020.

Get started today by visiting ahcancal.org/qualityaward! For questions, email qualityaward@ahca.org.

71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention Offers Essential Opportunity for Providers to Unite

The unrelenting challenges of the pandemic have hit the long term and post-acute care sectors especially hard. Over the last several months, providers have fought tirelessly to provide quality care and protect those that are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The Virtual Convention & Expo taking place in October will unite providers from all across the country to reflect, learn, and share at this critical time.

“Now more than ever we need all levels of our profession to come together to discuss and share best practices, hear and learn from experts, and recognize the heroic work that many have done during this unprecedented time,” says AHCA/NCAL President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Parkinson.
Taking place from October 8 – 31, the Virtual Convention & Expo will offer 24 days of access to:

• 14th Annual NCAL Day
• On-demand and live streaming sessions
• Networking lounges
• Moderated discussions 
• Q&As with speakers and panelists
• Expo Hall with more than 70 business partners
• Awards and Recognitions

You can earn up to 50 CEs by participating in sessions on your own time and at your own pace. Watch and re-watch sessions as your schedule allows — the platform will be available 24/7.

Get-Together Thursdays on October 8, 15, and 22 will feature the live sessions, moderated discussions, networking lounges, National Quality Award ceremony, and much more.

Over the 24 days of convention, you will have access to education sessions in 17 tracks of learning on key topics relevant to you. There will be a wide range of exciting speakers attending.

So while we may not be gathering in person, the 71st AHCA/NCAL Virtual Convention & Expo is packed with the value, convenience, and connection you’ve come to expect and deserve.

Get details and register today at AHCAConvention.org.

We Need You for Our Social Media Initiative

AHCA/NCAL began a social media advocacy initiative last year and is encouraging all members to get involved.  The effort focuses on improving the overall image of the post-acute and long term care profession by sharing positive stories and pushing back on pieces that attempt to tie all providers to isolated negative events.

AHCA/NCAL will be sending interested members tips for getting more involved on social media, best practices for posting content, sample posts, and a roundup of positive stories about the profession on a regular basis. Individuals who want to get involved should email socialmedia@ahca.org to get on the mailing list.

The campaign also will include a rapid response to stories that are unfairly negative about the profession or do not accurately portray the reality of post-acute and long term care. AHCA/NCAL hopes to build on these successes as the year continues. With thousands of buildings nationwide who touch the lives of millions of people, there is the chance to seriously affect the way the profession is viewed and treated by lawmakers and the media.

Coronavirus

Visit the AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus website daily for the latest information that we have to share with long term care providers about COVID-19.  As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working nationally with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to ensure our long term care communities receive necessary supplies and guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

Articles and Resources of Interest

Webinar: Successful Approaches to Creatively Engagewith Older Adults during COVID-19

Lessons Learned From the Front Lines

Dialysis Treatment for Long Term Care Residents During COVID-19

Webinar:Navigating the World of Assistive Technology for People Living with Dementia

Legislative and Agency Corner

CDC Updates Return to Work Criteria

HHS Updates FAQs with Medicaid, Cost Report and CHOW Information

NHSN Updates Instructions and Adds Testing to Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway

Updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) Database File

2020 Health Care Observances

September 2020 marks, among other observances, National Assisted Living Week starting September 13 through September 19. The 2020 Healthcare Observances Calendar can be found here.