What’s new: This week CMS issued QSO-24-08-NH regarding the implementation of enhanced barrier precautions (EBPs) in nursing homes to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant...
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CMS has issued a concise fact sheet that addresses several complex billing scenarios for administering preventive vaccines to short- and long term residents in nursing...
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Friday deadline: If you use telehealth in your facility, take this brief survey from the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) to help shape policies and guide future telehealth initiatives...
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Are you using telehealth in your facility? Take this brief survey from the Virginia Telehealth Network (VTN) to help shape policies and guide future telehealth...
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What’s happening: The CDC endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for adults ages 65 years and older to receive an additional updated...
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What’s new: On March 1, 2024, the CDC issued updated guidance for respiratory viruses in community settings. The CDC’s goal is to simplify its recommendations...
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AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Research last year found compelling reasons to consider the Gero Nurse Prep course and ANCC...
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The CDC and CMS will host a webinar on January 31, 2024 at 2:00 pm on strategies to increase immunization rates in long term care....
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From VDH: The agency has issued a staff educational resource, a competency template, and a competency validation tool for safe glucose checks. The one-pager that...
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A common misperception is that COVID-19 is no longer a serious virus, and some may even believe that it's less serious than influenza. While the...
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How it works: Through December 31, 2024, anyone uninsured or covered by federal programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, can receive US Government (USG)-procured, NDA-labeled...
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Worth the read: AHCA/NCAL Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Gifford offered words of advice and encouragement about overcoming vaccine fatigue hesitancy in a column he...
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For the first time, vaccines are available to help protect against severe illness caused by all three of the major fall and winter respiratory viruses—flu,...
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New resources: The CDC has released several resources for long term care providers to support their efforts on vaccines, treatment and infection control this respiratory...
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What’s new: VDH Commissioner Karen Shelton issued a clinician letter providing updates on how to prepare for the upcoming season to help keep individuals healthy...
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Coming up: This year’s U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week is November 18-24, 2023. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of appropriate...
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AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through November 17, 2023...
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AHCA/NCAL has unveiled a new resource to encourage and support vaccinations in long term care (LTC) facilities this season: #GetVaccinated Reimbursement Guide for Health Care Personnel:...
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Respiratory season can be dangerous for individuals 65 and up and those with underlying health conditions. Elderly individuals residing in long term care facilities, both...
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What’s happening: As the new COVID-19 vaccine is being released, long term care facilities need to be aware of the regulatory requirement to educate and...
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AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course significantly increases RNs’ gerontological nursing competency test scores. Registrants can save $200 on Gero Nurse Prep through November 17, 2023 with promo...
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It’s time to talk with your patients about flu shots. The CDC recommends annual flu shots for everyone six months and older. September and October are...
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Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc....
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Earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc....
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The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and caregivers about increases in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity across some...
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New tool: AHCA’s Clinical Practice Committee has published a new resource to support members in training and educating contracted staff. The Clinical Competency Profile allows facilities...
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DSS is hosting an educational webinar geared towards residents of assisted living facilities and participants in adult day care centers The webinar leaders will discuss...
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To promote and increase adult vaccinations, and celebrate August as National Immunization month, Health Quality Innovators (HQI) has launched the Your Health Can’t Wait, Vaccinate!...
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What’s new: The CDC has released new resources to assist nursing facility staff with understanding the benefits of and implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBPs). This new...
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Share the news: DSS is hosting a webinar geared towards family members to discuss how vaccines work, the importance of vaccines, and important vaccines to...
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What’s new: VDH updated the Virginia Tuberculosis (TB) Screening and Risk Assessment Tool used to screen staff and residents. For assisted living facilities: DSS explained...
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What’s new: DSS issued a memo announcing that VDH updated the Virginia Tuberculosis (TB) Screening and Risk Assessment Tool used to screen staff and residents....
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VDH is warning of a concerning increase in cases of Candida auris (C. auris) and/or carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) in Virginia. All health care facilities across...
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Medical directors and clinicians are invited to participate in the Virginia LTC Clinician Network (LTC-CN). This project is led by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and...
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What’s happening: AHCA/NCAL is hosting a member webinar on December 9 at 3:00 pm focusing on practical steps facilities can take to prepare for the...
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Three great programs are on the calendar in December & January. Take a look and sign up today—deadlines to register and book rooms are coming...
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The CDC has updated the guidance on the CDC Flu Web page to reflect new guidance on placement and testing when COVID-19 and influenza viruses are co-circulating....
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What’s happening: US Antibiotic Awareness Week is an annual observance that raises awareness of the threat of antibiotic resistance and the importance of appropriate antibiotic...
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Take advantage of $200 in saving on AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course through November 15, 2022. Why it matters: Examples in surveyor guidance on staff...
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Get ready for flu season: DSS announced registration for an October 7 VDH webinar on the 2022 flu outlook, surveillance, data, infection control, treatment, and...
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The CDC recommends annual flu shots for everyone six months and older by the end of October or as soon as possible each flu season....
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What’s new: The CDC updated its guidance for infection prevention and control of monkeypox in health care settings. Recommendations were added on how to monitor exposed...
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Join the Wound Care Education Institute for the Wild on Wounds National Conference in Hollywood, FL from September 7-10, 2022! Relias is offering a limited...
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The VDH infection prevention (IP) team supports facilities with onsite proactive infection prevention and control (IPC) assessments. You can request the non-regulatory assessments to assist...
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Coinciding with a new report on antimicrobial resistance, the CDC has updated its guidance on enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for all health care settings, including nursing homes. The...
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AHCA/NCAL’s popular Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO Version 2) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long term care settings. One hundred...
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McKnight’s Long-Term Care News reported on a research study that shows "non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as mask wearing and increased testing, better helped skilled nursing providers...
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Save $200 off the AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course through May 31, 2022, with promo code QUALITYRN22 (all caps). Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care,...
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In a May 24 CDC Health Alert Network advisory, the agency provided an update on the recurrence of COVID-19 or “COVID-19 rebound” after treatment with...
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Save $200 off the AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course through May 31, 2022, with promo code QUALITYRN22 (all caps). Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care,...
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AHCA/NCAL’s popular Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO Version 2) online training teaches leaders how to implement and maintain a facility-wide infection prevention culture and includes COVID-19...
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The CDC recently released a Nursing Home Communication toolkit to help nursing home health care professionals better communicate with residents and families on antibiotic treatment expectations. Pressure...
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VDH is continuing the CDC-led multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) webinar series for healthcare professionals. The next webinar, “Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Skilled Nursing Facilities,” will be held on...
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VHCA-VCAL associate member Hancock Daniel has issued a client advisory on the criminal conviction of an RN following a fatal medication error. The case could...
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As a reminder, temporary nurse aides (TNAs) in Virginia are eligible to take the National Nurse Aid Assessment Program examination for as long as the...
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Certified Nurses Day™ is March 19 and is an annual day of recognition for and by health care leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition,...
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Be sure you are using the newest version of the VDH tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment screening form. The updated fillable form and instructions file is dated...
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Did you know that VDH has eight regional infection preventionists (IPs) throughout the Commonwealth who are available to provide consultation and education on infection prevention...
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Be sure you are using the newest version of the VDH tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment screening form. The updated fillable form and instructions file is...
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McKnight’s Long-Term Care News reports on a study that found "a brief staff training session on good drug practices for older adults led to significant...
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AHCA/NCAL’s popular Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO Version 2) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long term care settings. One-hundred percent...
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The deadline to participate in the VDH and Virginia Telehealth Network survey specific to long term care telehealth needs has been extended to December 3,...
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While we are still fighting a pandemic, the 2021-22 flu season is here. It is critical this year to get a flu vaccine—it’s never too...
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While we are still fighting a pandemic, the 2021-22 flu season is here. It is critical this year to get a flu vaccine—it’s never too...
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Save $200 off AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course through November 15 with promo code INSPIRE21 (all caps). Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long...
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VDH has made resources available from the September 23 CDC webinar on the containment of Candida auris (C. auris) and carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO). A second...
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Save $200 off AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course through November 15 with promo code INSPIRE21 (all caps). Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long...
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VDH is hosting a webinar on October 13 on monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy for outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19. mAb therapy can be effective...
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With influenza (flu) season approaching, there may be compelling logistical advantages to offering patients COVID-19 and flu vaccines on the same day. Per CDC’s clinical considerations...
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With influenza (flu) season approaching, there may be compelling logistical advantages to offering patients COVID-19 and flu vaccines on the same day. Per CDC’s clinical considerations...
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Many Medicare patients missed vaccines during the pandemic. Keep in mind that Medicare covers the following vaccines: COVID-19,...
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Are you looking for more resources to improve patient outcomes related to wound care? Enhance your knowledge, find practical solutions with live or online webinars...
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Over the past year while operations and resources shifted to battle COVID-19, unintended consequences emerged—one being greater incidence of pressure injuries. Now that the pandemic...
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In a message to providers earlier this week, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) Commissioner Alison Land urgently requested assistance to relieve a...
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The CDC is warning that Candida auris (C. auris) is a serious global health threat. We know this fungus is often multidrug resistant fungus and...
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Mark your calendar now for VHCA-VCAL’s July 13 webinar on C. auris, which poses a particular threat to long term care residents and patients. Our panel...
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Mark your calendar now for VHCA-VCAL’s July 13 webinar on C. auris, which poses a particular threat to long term care residents and patients. Our...
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VCHA-VCAL is hosting a free webinar on July 13, 2021, at 10:00 am on multidrug resistant organism (MDRO) surveillance for Candida auris (C. auris) and...
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The Department of Health Professions (DHP) recently issued its Healthcare Workforce Data Center’s (HWDC) 2020 workforce newsletters for four nursing professions: RNs, LPNs, LNPs, and...
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Save $200 off the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep course through May 31 with promo code RNLOVE (all caps). Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care,...
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In a clinician’s letter published on May 14, 2021, State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver provided updates on the CDC guidance for fully vaccinated people, the importance...
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State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver has written a clinicians letter on the rising cases of Candida auris, an emerging fungus that is often resistant...
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Save $200 off AHCA/NCAL’s Gero Nurse Prep course through May 31. Specifically designed for registered nurses working in long term care, this curriculum provides comprehensive online training...
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Enhance your knowledge, find practical solutions, and improve patient outcomes with live or online webinars offered by the Wound Care Education Institute. April webinar topics include...
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The CDC and VDH are collaborating on Project Firstline, an initiative aimed at providing innovative and effective infection prevention and control training for all frontline...
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CDC’s Long Term Care (LTC) Pharmacy Partnership Program provides three COVID-19 vaccination clinics for LTC facilities enrolled in the program. As many LTC facilities are...
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VHCA-VCAL is excited to announce a new partnership with the Wound Care Education Institute (WCEI) by Relias to provide members with special pricing on online,...
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AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep is on sale October 1 through November 15! Save $100 off the regular registration fee by using promo code GETGNP20 (all caps). Gero Nurse Prep...
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On August 10, the Board of Nursing has issued an additional waiver for the Nurse Aide Education Program. 18VAC90-26-20. Establishing and Maintaining a Nurse Aide...
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COVID-19 infection risks are associated with long term care residents requiring outside medical appointments, including dialysis. These risks are impacted by the processes around these...
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Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. M. Norman Oliver sent an update to healthcare practitioners across the Commonwealth on March 24. This update included information on:...
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During the COVID-19 public health threat, the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) has established temporary waivers to various regulations during the declared state of...
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Relias has launched How to Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Free Training & Resources, a digital toolkit containing free resources regarding COVID-19 preparedness and...
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Relias has launched How to Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Influenza: Free Training & Resources, a digital toolkit containing free resources regarding COVID-19 preparedness and...
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In a message to assisted living providers today, DSS encourages providers to use the VHCA-VCAL COVID-19 Screening Toolkit recommendations regarding visitors and would strongly suggest...
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News outlets across the state have been covering how long term care providers are protecting residents from the introduction of the coronavirus into their facilities....
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April Payne, VHCA-VCAL vice president of quality improvement, was part of Gov. Ralph Northam’s press conference on March 11 to provide updates and discuss ongoing...
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Our priority right now is to prevent COVID-19 from getting into nursing facilities and assisted living facilities and if it does get in, to prevent...
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VHASS is conducting a survey to assess how much and where personal protective equipment (PPE) is available in Virginia's hospitals, nursing facilities, and ALFs to...
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CMS issued three new Quality, Safety and Oversight (QSO) memos on March 4, 2020 about COVID-19. Two apply to nursing homes and a third to...
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We have set up a COVID-19 Resources webpage to share information and helpful resources to ensure all members have access to the necessary guidance they...
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We have complied a roundup of information and resources related to the coronavirus to help members prevent the spread of the disease, also referred to...
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Provider Magazine reported an in-depth piece on medication management’s role in in SNFs, assisted living and memory care communities. Melissa Green, chief clinical officer of...
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CMS has issued a memo to all providers on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Illness (2019-nCoV) and reminders about infection prevention and control measures. In addition,...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share the following information with you about respiratory outbreaks and the coronavirus in particular. The...
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CMS has issued a reminder to nursing facilities about infection control information and best practices to improve resident safety and quality. Resources include the Updated...
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The CDC has received numerous questions following the July 2019 release of the enhanced barrier precautions (EBPs) for nursing facilities. As a result, the agency...
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Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL shows SNFs that employ at least one American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board certified RN, on average, performed higher on SNF...
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Register now and strengthen your assisted living RN skills! AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep is an outstanding nursing education that makes a measurable difference on many...
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November 18-24, 2019 is U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW). Use resources from the CDC to help spread the word about the appropriate use of antibiotics to...
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Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation (ROP) takes effect November 28, 2019 and mandates that every nursing facility have a designated and specially trained...
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Strengthen Your RN team by helping them earn their ANCC certification in gerontological nursing—the gold standard in demonstrating clinical excellence in geriatric patient care. AHCA/NCAL...
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The Virginia Board of Nursing (BON) has issued an alert noting that some of licensees have received threatening scam calls and bogus written communications that...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued recommendations on preparing for the 2019-20 influenza season. Recommendations include annual vaccination for anyone aged...
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Candida auris is a type of yeast that has been causing severe illness in residents and patients in a variety of health care settings, including...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share information with members on containing multi-drug resistant organisms (MRDOs). The information from VDH...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has asked VHCA-VCAL to share a clinician letter from Commissioner M. Norman Oliver, MD regarding respiratory illness outbreaks reported...
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The AHCA Clinical Practice Committee has developed and launched a new resource for members, Opioid Use: What Do We Do and How? The use of opioid...
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As of July 22, 2019, nurse practitioners (NPs) who elect to obtain a license to prescribe will not have to renew such licenses. Under current law,...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued a special edition of its Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) High Sign newsletter about Candida auris. The newsletter focuses...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released two new complimentary clinical tools to help health care providers reduce older adult falls—the leading cause...
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By 2020, the number of older adults with substance use disorders (SUDs) is expected to reach 5.7 million. This group faces unique challenges in receiving...
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New research conducted by AHCA/NCAL shows that SNFs that employ at least one American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board certified RN also, on average, performed higher on...
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Candida auris has been the subject of recent media stories based on a New York Times article. C. auris is an emerging yeast that can...
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Encourage your staff to apply for a 2019 Regirer Nursing Scholarship before the May 24 application deadline. The $1500 scholarships are available exclusively for or...
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In meetings this week with representatives of the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and the Board of Long Term Care Administrators, state regulators indicated that they...
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Nursing facilities with at least one ANCC Board certified RN have lower rehospitalization rates—consistently at least two percentage points lower according to AHCA/NCAL research. Take...
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to publish a final rule soon that will govern how skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and other health care...
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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) advises that providers should vaccinate against influenza as long as flu activity continues, even beyond January. People...
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It’s that time of year, when facilities may experience an outbreak of the norovirus. This highly contagious, difficult to eradicate virus causes nausea, vomiting, and...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) notes that flu activity is currently widespread in Virginia. During the week ending January 5, VDH investigated a flu...
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The Mental Health and Aging Training Initiative is hosting a free webinar on November 28, 2018, Opioid Use in Older Adults: The Double-Edged Sword. The...
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Antibiotic stewardship is an overarching goal and priority among all health care professionals and is receiving a lot of attention from state and national health...
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Mark your calendars for a free AHCA/NCAL webinar on November 8 at 2:00 pm that will provide an in depth look at how experienced assisted...
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November 12-18 marks Antibiotic Awareness Week 2018. The Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Advisory Group would like to emphasize the important role nurses play in carrying...
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Start with smarter RNs! Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL in 2016 found that the rehospitalization rates in nursing facilities with at least one RN certified in...
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he seventh series of the Mental Health and Aging Training Initiative kicks off November 28, 2018 with a live webinar, Opioid Use in Older Adults:...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has updated the Reportable Disease List by removing some diseases and reorganizing the list to allow greater flexibility with...
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VHCA-VCAL joined with a diverse group of health care stakeholders and state health officials strongly urging Virginians to get a flu shot each year to...
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A team of nationally recognized long term care researchers from Brown University are undertaking a large-scale quality improvement study to evaluate the impact of the...
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CMS has issued a memorandum on the Survey Process for Reviewing Home Dialysis Services in a Long Term Care (LTC) Facility. The memo, QSO-18-24-ESRD covers...
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AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine - encourages post-acute and long-term care (PA/LTC) facilities to strengthen their employee immunization programs to...
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AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep does much more than just prepare RNs to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification exam in gerontological nursing. It increases experienced...
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Long term and post-acute care centers can take steps today to comply with the recent ban on triclosan, the most commonly used soap active ingredient....
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AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep does much more than just prepare RNs to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification exam in gerontological nursing....
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Please join the American Assisted Living Nurses Association (AALNA) and NCAL for the first webinar in the 2018 Caring Together series. The webinar, “Strategies for...
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Take advantage of early bird pricing for the 2018 Assisted Living Symposium between now and June 1. The agenda includes remarks from New DSS Commissioner...
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The AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep course is specifically designed for RNs working in long term care and provides comprehensive online training that leads to board...
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Read the latest edition of the HAI High Sign, the bimonthly newsletter from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program. ...
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The methods for preventing and controlling infections are universal and apply regardless of setting. In other words, what works in the nursing facility setting will...
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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Department of Social Services (DSS) have asked VHCA-VCAL to remind providers about their obligations related to reportable...
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Do you need help meeting the new infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship requirements now being enforced by CMS as part of Phase 2 of the...
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Misuse of antibiotics contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. Practicing proper antibiotic stewardship to reduce inappropriate and misuse of antibiotics will help to...
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We have partnered with AHCA to help you meet the new infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship requirements now being enforced by CMS for the Reform...
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The December edition of HAI High Sign, the monthly newsletter from the Virginia Department of Health’s Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) and Antimicrobial Resistance Program spotlights efforts...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging healthcare professionals to prescribe antibiotics only when necessary to help fight antibiotic resistance and the...
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The latest Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program Newsletter from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) encourages providers to prepare for influenza season. Vaccination remains...
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Need help meeting the new Infection Preventionist specialized training requirement under the Requirements of Participation? We have partnered with AHCA to offer the Infection Preventionist...
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Conquer Value-Based Purchasing with smarter RNs. Take advantage of special savings during the month of November on the GeroNurse Prep program. Save $100 with promo...
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AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep is on sale now through November 30 and each RN registrant can save $100 off his/her Gero Nurse Prep by entering promo code VBPRN17 (all caps)...
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October 28 is the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The initiative aims to provide a safe, convenient,...
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With flu season soon upon us, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has shared tips and advice to make sure your staff, residents, and patients...
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AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep is designed to prepare RNs to take the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) board certification exam in gerontological nursing. It does...
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We’re kicking off September with discounted savings on the AHCA/NCAL Gero Nurse Prep Course. This program is specifically designed for RNs working in long-term care...
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You can help the Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Advisory Group as it works to increase healthcare worker influenza vaccination for the 2017-2018 flu season. Take...
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Research conducted by AHCA/NCAL last year found that the rehospitalization rates in nursing facilities with at least one RN certified in gerontological nursing by the...
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AHCA conducted research in 2016 and found that nursing facilities with Registered Nurses (RNs) who have been American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Board certified in...
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued two alerts for devices and medications that may affect long term care residents. First, the agency offers...
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VHCA-VCAL is pleased to announce that we have entered into a partnership with AHCA/NCAL to offer you the Gero Nurse Prep Course. This program, specifically...
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A new evidence-based toolkit can help you reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) at your center. The toolkit from the Agency for Healthcare Research and...
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Gov. Terry McAuliffe has approved HB 2301, which removes the requirement that licensed practical nurses (LPN) be immediately and directly supervised by a registered nurse...
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The CDC recently released a report on the influenza vaccination coverage among health care personnel for the 2015-2016 influenza season. The Advisory Committee on Immunization...
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Practicing hand hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Cleaning your hands can prevent the spread of germs, including those that are...
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Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa Levine issued a clinicians’ letter this week that included an update on influenza activity across the state. She recommends that...
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Time is running out to register for the December 7 education program in Roanoke Infection Prevention and Control: Tune Up Your System. This program will help you...
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Register now for the December 7 education program in Roanoke Infection Prevention and Control: Tune Up Your System. This program will help you comply with...
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Registration is now open for the December 7 education program, Infection Prevention & Control: Tune Up Your System. How you implement infection prevention and control...
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At the start of 2017, CMS will begin tracking skilled nursing rehospitalization rates for the new SNF Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program. Under the VBP program,...
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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has issued a new Nursing Home Antimicrobial Stewardship Guide. The guide offers step-by-step instructions and materials to...
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Growing Older: Providing Integrated Care for an Aging Population is a new publication from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Health...
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Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa J. Levine has announced new regulations for disease reporting and control, which went into effect on October 20, 2016. ...
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The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has made important changes to the recommendations for flu vaccinations for the upcoming flu season. ACIP recommends that...
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The Department of Social Services (DSS) has issued clarification about the choice of finger-stick devices for use by qualified assisted living facility staff in assisted...
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The Virginia Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) includes a new digital feature to allow potential delegates of prescribers to register online to query the PMP database...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a clinical alert for multidrug-resistant yeast, This yeast is associated with invasive healthcare acquired infections...
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Updated specifications for the Skilled Nursing Facilities Quality Measures (SNF QM) User’s Manual to accompany the MDS 3.0 for the Percent of Patients or Residents...
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VHCA-VCAL staff has learned that one of the 10 national Infection Control Pilot Surveys occurred this month in Virginia. Thanks to the facility, we were...
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a voluntary recall of certain liquid docusate products. Both the FDA and the Centers for Disease...
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Last year when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced proposed revisions to the requirements of participation for nursing homes, the agency placed...
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State Health Commissioner Dr. Marissa J. Levine has issued a letter to clinicians on the Zika virus and tickborne illnesses. Dr. Levine notes that as...
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Following up on a question raised at the recent meeting of the Nursing Facility Advisory Committee (NFAC), the Virginia Board of Nursing has clarified that...
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Researchers at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry and the Virginia Dental Association’s Long Term Care (LTC) Access to Care Work Group are...
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The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) announced changes to the Pressure Ulcer Staging System including change in terminology from pressure ulcer to pressure injury. The...
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A team of nationally-recognized long term care researchers from Brown University and Case Western Medical Center is undertaking a national quality improvement study to evaluate...
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Help promote the importance of advance care planning on April 16, National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD). Resources to help you plan for NHDD or to...
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It always seems too early, until it’s too late—that’s the theme for the 2016 National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) coming up on April 16. The...
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Surveyors have told us that they will be looking closely at infection control and antibiotic resistance in the coming year. The Centers for Medicare and...
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After unanimously passing the House and being favorably reported by the Senate Education and Health Committee, HB310 is poised to pass the General Assembly, reducing...
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released an updated version of their facility guidelines for control of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in December 2015....
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House Bill (HB) 386 would require additional training topics for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) covering "observational and reporting techniques." Del. Randy Minchew (R-Loudoun) introduced the...
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As of January 1, 2016, individuals applying for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) or a practical nurse (LPN) must undergo a criminal background check....
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The use of antibiotics is the single most important factor leading to antibiotic resistance around the world. Each year in the United States, approximately 2...
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Last week the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (VDBHDS) issued a report recommending the closing of Roanoke County’s Catawba Hospital and Piedmont...
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Flu season is upon us. Flu vaccination rates among health care personnel working in long term care continue to be the lowest in the nation...
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