Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008
» This Week's Top News
CMS Publishes Expanded List of Special Focus Facilities
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the complete list of the 131 nursing homes currently designated as Special Focus Facilities (SFFs).
The SFF list is divided into five tables, including "New Additions;" "Not Improved," which are facilities that failed to demonstrate significant improvement after a standard survey; and "Improving" which lists facilities that demonstrated improvement and are being monitored as part of the SFF program to see if the improvement is sustained. The last two tables identify facilities that are no longer active SFFs and include homes that "recently graduated" from the program and those that are "no longer in the Medicare and/or Medicaid program" because they have been terminated or are otherwise no longer certified for Medicare and/or Medicaid. CMS plans to update the list quarterly. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.
| Read the CMS Press Statement and view the current SFF list. |
CMS Publishes Expanded List of Special Focus Facilities
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the complete list of the 131 nursing homes currently designated as Special Focus Facilities (SFFs).
The SFF list is divided into five tables, including "New Additions;" "Not Improved," which are facilities that failed to demonstrate significant improvement after a standard survey; and "Improving" which lists facilities that demonstrated improvement and are being monitored as part of the SFF program to see if the improvement is sustained. The last two tables identify facilities that are no longer active SFFs and include homes that "recently graduated" from the program and those that are "no longer in the Medicare and/or Medicaid program" because they have been terminated or are otherwise no longer certified for Medicare and/or Medicaid. CMS plans to update the list quarterly. Contact: Evvie Munley, (202) 508-9478.
| Read the CMS Press Statement and view the current SFF list. |
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» Legislative Action Alerts
Senators Introduce Nursing Home Quality Legislation
The Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act of 2008, S. 2641, introduced last week by Senators Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), aims to increase nursing home ownership transparency, strengthen enforcement and improve staff training. Among other provisions, the bill would substantially increase penalties for serious survey deficiencies, especially those that result in a resident's death. The legislation builds on Senate Finance Committee hearings last fall that focused on the acquisition of nursing home chains by private equity firms and subsequent declines in quality of care. Contact: Marsha Greenfield, (202) 508-9488.
» Regulatory Updates
HUD Finally Issues Policy on Conversion of Efficiencies to One-Bedrooms
Responding to your long and energetic advocacy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) finally issued policies and procedures for converting efficiencies into one-bedroom units to meet local demands for affordable housing and improve an organization's long-term financial and physical position. The policy allows conversions if the average vacancy in efficiency units has been at least 25 percent for 24 of the preceding 36 months. The market demand for one-bedroom units must be documented, and if there is Section 8 assistance, the budget authority for the project cannot be increased. Although there are a lot of procedures to go through, the new policy should make it easier for members to convert units without having to come to Washington for approvals. Contact Nancy Libson, (202) 508-9447
» Learning Opportunities
Early Registration Discount Extended for AAHSA Future of Aging Services Conference
Did you miss the Feb. 15th early registration deadline? No problem! If you register by Feb. 22, you'll still receive $40 off the full registration fee for the conference. WE KNOW you need bold, innovative answers that are dramatic enough to create lasting change in your organization. YOU KNOW you need to be there. Click here to visit the event Web site and register today. Contact: AAHSA@Laser-Registration.com, (514) 228-3159.
| Visit the conference Web site. |
| Register for the conference. |
Upcoming AAHSA Audioconferences:
Unnecessary Antipsychotic Medication Use in LTC Facilities: CMS Requirements and AAHSA Member Innovations
Do you want to know more about antipsychotic drug use in nursing homes? Join our audio conference on Feb. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Time to understand more about this important issue. On the call, medical and pharmacy experts will discuss the effects of the revised 2006 CMS guidance and use of antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. You'll also hear how fellow members reduced the use of antipsychotic drugs through diverse programming in their organizations. Contact: Nataki Goodall, (202) 508-9471.
| Register online for the audioconference. |
Free Webinar on Treating Pressure Ulcers - February 21
The Advancing Excellence in America's Nursing Homes campaign will hold a webinar on treating pressure ulcers using process frameworks on Feb. 21 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Although the webinar is free, you must register to receive the call-in information. Webinar handouts will be posted by February 19 at www.nhqualitycampaign.org. Space is limited, so sign up now to save your organization a spot. Contact: Karyn Downie, (202) 508-9410.
| Register for the webinar. |
Want the Latest Information on Bedrails?
Take part in Kendal Outreach's March 6th call-in to get the information you need to keep your residents safe. The featured speaker, Janet Davis, has several years of experience with the Pennsylvania Restraint Reduction Initiative, and will give you updated guidelines on bed and siderail safety to prevent resident entrapment and injury. One registration allows an unlimited number of participants at each call-in location. Contact: Mary Scharf, (610) 335-1280.
| Register for the call. |
» Quality First
 3,400 Covenant signers! Have you signed yet? |
Need Helping Talking to Your Residents about Quality First?
There's a new Quality First PowerPoint presentation to help. The presentation explains what your commitment to AAHSA Quality First means for the people you serve. Recently, Charles Paulk, a resident of the Estates at Carpenter in Florida, used to it share his community's Quality First initiatives with his neighbors. The residents were so interested that those who missed it asked him to present it again. Contact: Bruce Rosenthal, (202) 508-9499.
| See the PowerPoint. |
» Research and Resources
AAHSA Launches 2008 Member Survey
We want to be a better association for you. That's why AAHSA recently launched our 2008 member survey. This survey is designed to help better understand what members want from their membership and learn more about the work you do for older adults. We randomly selected about 1,000 AAHSA members to receive this web-based survey. If you receive an e-mail asking you to complete the 2008 AAHSA Member Survey, please do so. All responses will remain confidential. We care about your thoughts and want to know how we can increase the value of your membership. Contact: aahsasurvey@aahsa.org, (877) 379-7878.
Does Your Organization Know the Secret to Greatness in Aging Services?
AAHSA and LarsonAllen LLP, a national CPA, consulting, and advisory firm, want to know your answers. That's why we are sponsoring the second year of our "Pathways to Greatness" Recognition Program. This program is designed to honor great aging-services organizations and use their expertise to develop a framework others can use in their work for older adults. All multiple level aging-services providers that are AAHSA Quality First Covenant signers are encouraged to apply for this honor. Phase I applications are being accepted through March 10. Selected organizations will be recognized at AAHSA's 2008 Annual Meeting & Exposition and will also be given the opportunity to share their knowledge with our Leadership Circle. Contact: Lee Barbeau, (267) 419-1171.
| Learn more about the "Pathways to Greatness" recognition program. |
AAHSA Money-Saving Programs: Beyond Savings
Buy Big and Save Big with Joerns Healthcare
Our Group Purchasing Partner, Joerns Healthcare, is celebrating our contract extension by offering AAHSA members a special discount until March 31. If you purchase five Joerns surfaces on any of their bed frames, you receive free shipping. Be sure to mention that you are an AAHSA member so that you receive this exclusive discount. Contact: info@joerns.com, (800) 826-0270.
| Learn more about the special. |
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» JobMart
New Opportunities Available on AAHSA's JobMart
Several career opportunities in aging services are now available and listed on Job Mart. Take a look. Pass along the news. If you have a job to post, consider using AAHSA Job Mart. Contact: Phillip Blackmon, (202) 508-9404.
Use the downloadable form to post a job.
Jobs posted in the past week (Feb. 8 - 14):
Administrator
Administrator SNF/TCU (Interim and Permanent needed) - Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Administrator - Americus, Ga.
Warren County Small House Neighborhood Guide - Warren County, Ohio
Administrator - Raleigh, N.C.
Administrator - Baltimore, Md.
Administrator - Columbia, S.C.
Administrator - Summerville, S.C.
Administrator - Waukegan, Ill.
CEO/President/Executive Director
Executive Director - Atlanta, Ga.
Executive Director - Evanston, Ill.
Executive Director - Phoenix, Ariz.
Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Director of Sales & Marketing - Homewood, Ill.
Vice President, Marketing & Resident Services - Norfolk, Va.
Nursing/Healthcare
Quality Improvement Coordinator - Richmond, Va.
Director of Nursing - Richmond, Va
Other
Associate Executive Director - Tulsa, Okla.
Review the jobs online
Administrator
CEO/President/Executive Director
Finance
Marketing/Sales/Business Office
Nursing/HealthCare
Other
Wanted
AAHSA Member Profile: Name: Luanne Reese Title: Director of Business Development Organization: Mease Manor, Inc. Dunedin, Fla. Reason you work in aging services: It is an area that I can put the talents I have to use to really make a difference in the quality of someone's life. Retreat: Being at the gym with the headphones on listening to whatever! Theme Song: "You've Got a Friend" - James Taylor |
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American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20008
phone 202.783.2242, fax 202.783.2255