MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL 2021
LATEST UPDATE
COVID-19 Vaccine Data Reporting to NHSN

For the past several months the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting system has included an optional module for Nursing Facilities to report weekly COVID-19 vaccination data for residents and staff. 
  • The reporting of COVID-19 vaccination data to NSHN by Nursing Facilities is likely to become mandatory in 2021 as a proposed rule is being developed by U.S. Health and Human Services. 
  • Assisted Living facilities may voluntarily report data to NSHN, in all the NHSN LTC modules and not just the COVID-19 vaccine module, though Assisted Living facilities will not be part of the mandate for COVID-19 vaccine reporting. 
Read more.
IHCA/INCAL NEWS

WHO WILL YOU NOMINATE? 

2021 IHCA/INCAL Senior Living Awards

Don't miss your chance to help IHCA/INCAL recognize Indiana's long-term care professionals for their tireless efforts and outstanding dedication to care for our seniors. Submit your nomination today! 

2021 Award Categories
  • Nurse of the Year
  • C.N.A of the Year
  • Caregiver of the Year
Nomination Deadline: April 16, 2021

Sponsored by: Kreig DeVault
LEARN MORE & SUBMIT A NOMINATION

Save the Date: Indiana Health Care Foundation 11th Annual Golf Outing
The Indiana Health Care Foundation (IHCF) is pleased to announce its 11th annual Golf Outing. Proceeds from the golf outing benefit the IHCF’s scholarship program.

Did you know the IHCF awarded more than $21,000 in scholarships in 2020 benefiting long-term care professionals? We look forward to raising more dollars this year to continue supporting the scholarship program.

When: June 14, 2021

Where: The Country Club of Indianapolis

Questions: Please contact Colin Hebenstreit at chebenstriet@ihca.org
LEARN MORE
COVID-19 UPDATES & RESOURCES
April 1: IDH Issues Updated COVID-19 LTC Infection Control Guidance Standard Operating Procedure
April 1: Indiana Extends Public Health Emergency to April 30, 2021
March 31: OSHA Releases Respiratory Protection Guidance for LTCFs

Important Members-Only Toolkits
  • Personal Protective Equipment Conservation Toolkit
  • Fit Testing Toolkit
  • COVID-19 Outbreak Response Toolkit
  • #GetVaccinated Toolkit
    VISIT COVID-19 INFORMATION HUB FOR MORE UPDATES
    UPCOMING EDUCATION EVENTS
    April 7: Legal Aspects of Documentation

    April 8: IDH Webinar for Long-Term Care Providers

    April 14:     The Bridge to Becoming a C.N.A. (Complimentary webinar)

    April 21: Care of the Dialysis Recipient

    On-Demand Offerings
    The Stability Zone: Finding Peace in the Middle of Chaos
    Online Skin & Wound Management Course
    Gero Nurse Prep
    Preceptor Online Course
    Social Services Designee Course
    BROWSE OUR FULL EVENTS LISTING
    REGULATORY & CLINICAL UPDATE
    Skilled Nursing Immediate Jeopardy Citation and G Level Trends – 2021
    • Annual recertification surveys will resume for nursing homes and licensed residential providers on April 12, 2021. 
    • The most current citations received at G Level and Immediate Jeopardy /SSQC level of scope and severity over the past two months are listed below. 
    • Reading through the below listed summaries of citations can assist in implementing an auditing process to mitigate a risk of similar citations.
    • Immediate Jeopardy citations are as follows:
      • F678 -IJ/SSQC — Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – Failed to ensure a resident’s wishes for resuscitation were followed.  This resulted in a resident not receiving life saving measures and emergency medical services not being called. Read more.

    Residential Citation Update – January and February 2021
    • The IDH conducted a total of 36 residential surveys in January and February 2021.  There were a total of 74 citations and of those, 16 were Offense citations.
    • The Offense citations are as follows:
      • Tag 052 (9 times) – Residents’ Right Offense – Residents have the right to be free from: (1) sexual abuse; (2) physical abuse; (3) mental abuse; (4) corporal abuse; (5) neglect; and (6) involuntary seclusion. Read more.

    How to Be “Spot On” with the Implementation of the Updated Eye Protection Guidance
    The IDH recently updated guidance for the use of eye protection in assisted living and nursing homes related to COVID-19.   
    • Operationalizing the new guidance will require attention to detail and accurate and timely communication with your staff on a daily basis.
    • Eye protection is required on all Red and Yellow Units when within 6 feet of a resident. Read more. 

    OSHA Releases Respiratory Protection Guidance for LTCFs
    The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released Respiratory Protection Guidance for the employers of those working in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  This resource can be found in full here and IHCA/INCAL's Fit Testing Toolkit can be accessed here. 
              PAYMENT & REIMBURSEMENT UPDATE
              Managed Care LTSS Update 
              • On March 18, 2021, the managed Long-Term Services and Supports (mLTSS) Finance Work Group met again.
              • This meeting was largely educational with FSSA presenting the current nursing facility rate setting process, the supplemental payment program and the  current capitation rate setting process for Indiana Medicaid managed care entities.
              • Access meeting presentation and minutes.
              • Read more.
              Indiana Medicaid Cost Report Due Date Extension and Temporary Changes
              • OMPP has granted an extension for 2020 Indiana Medicaid nursing facility cost reports to July 1, 2021.  All providers will be given a 30-day extension to July 31, 2021.
              • In addition, due to some facilities moving special care unit residents to different rooms in order to create COVID units, Schedule Z reporting instructions have been amended for 2020 cost reports only. Read more.
              Southeastrans (SET) Facility Outreach Newsletter
              SET, the state’s Non-Emergency Transportation statewide broker published its March newsletter recently.  Click here to view the newsletter.
              WORKFORCE UPDATES
              NOW AVAILABLE: 2021 IHCF Scholarships for Long-Term Care Professionals
              • The Indiana Health Care Foundation (IHCF) scholarship cycle is now open. 
              • Each year, the IHCF awards education and training scholarships for clinical, medical, and administrative positions in long-term care.
              • The submission deadline is June 7, 2021.
              • Learn more about the available scholarships here.
              Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report
              • Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) is conducting its annual Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Study and requests your participation.
              • Nursing home providers are asked to complete the study’s questionnaire by May 10, 2021. 
              • The study is published by HCS in cooperation with AHCA.
              • The results will be published in July and there is no cost to participate.
              • Participants who are members of IHCA/INCAL will receive a free copy. Read more. 
              Extension of Temporary Health Care Licenses
              On March 22, 2021, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-07, allowing those temporary health care licenses issued to date under the public health emergency to be extended for an additional 90-day period.  This is the fourth extension since the initial approval. This fourth 90-day extension applies to the following health care professionals who were granted a temporary license:
              • Health care professionals with an active out-of-state license;
              • Retired health care professionals whose licenses were rendered inactive within the past five years but were not revoked, suspended, or relinquished. Read more.
              INCAL UPDATES
              FSSA and CARES Act
              • IHCA/INCAL Staff have engaged FSSA to obtain financial support for Assisted Living communities that provide services to Aged & Disabled Waiver recipients.
              • The agency reported that they are working on both a funding mechanism using CARES funds to help partially offset unreimbursed COVID-19 expenses and a forward-oriented reimbursement adjustment based on the enhanced Federal matching funds for HCBS that were included in the Biden Stimulus package.
              • IHCA/INCAL staff will keep members informed of progress as it is made.

              AHCA/NCAL Expands Campaign To Encourage COVID-19 Vaccination Among Long Term Care Staff 
              The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, has expanded its #GetVaccinated campaign, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to encourage long term care facility staff to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Read more.


              2021-2022 NCAL Elections and Solicitation for Candidates
              • The 2021-2022 election cycle has officially opened for NCAL members in good standing interested in running for the NCAL Board of Directors.
              • The NCAL elections are for three officer positions (Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary/Treasurer) and seven At-large Representatives. 
              • NCAL members interested in running for a NCAL Board position may obtain the necessary candidacy materials online. Read more.
              LEGISLATIVE UPDATE   
              INSPECT Reporting Update

              As the 2021 legislative session nears its conclusion, most likely by April 21st or 22nd, several bills that have already completed their way through the legislative process have been sent to Governor Holcomb for signature.
              • House Bill (HB) 1109, authored by Representative Bartels (R – Eckerty), is one such bill that was signed into law by Governor Holcomb on April 1, 2021, which makes updates to INSPECT reporting requirements for dispensers of controlled substances who are authorized to prescribe. 
              • Currently, prescribers who dispense controlled substances must submit a daily report to INSPECT, whether a controlled substance is dispensed that day or not. Read more.
              MEMBER RESOURCES
              IPCO Renewals
              It might be time for your renewal as the completion certificate of specialized training is valid for 3 years. Renewal may occur via one of two options:
              • Option 1: Registering for a competency exam requiring a grade of 80% or above to successfully receive certificate of renewal.
                • You must have a score of 80 or greater. The cost of the IPCO certificate renewal exam is $200 for members and $450 for non-members.
                • No CEs are awarded for taking the renewal exam. 
                • *Please note, the renewal competency exam is only available to individuals who have previously successfully completed the full IPCO course and are seeking renewal.
                • For more information about the renewal exam, click here.
              • Option 2: Registering for the IPCO version 2 course and completing the course requirements.
                • For more information about the IPCO version 2 course, click here.
              High Intensity Physical Rehabilitation in Medically Complex Populations
              In collaboration with the University of Colorado, AHCA/NCAL has created an online educational course for physical therapy and occupational therapy rehabilitation professionals (PT, PTA, OT, OTA) is on sale with the course fee reduced to $300 (a savings of $195 off the regular price) through April 30.  Read more.

              Affordable Programs for IHCA Nurses
              The American College of Education (ACE) offers 5-week nursing courses that are all online and grants are available.  The new term begins April 12. Read more.
                Please join us in welcoming the following associate members to the IHCA/INCAL family! 
                  STAY CONNECTED WITH US
                  IHCA/INCAL team is here to assist! Please contact Deeksha Kapoor at dkapoor@ihca.org. 
                    THANKS TO OUR TITLE MEMBERS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT

                    STAY CONNECTED WITH US