| New AHCA Tool Helps Simplify Emergency Preparedness Compliance | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-AHCA-Tool-Helps-Simplify-Emergency-Preparedness-Compliance.aspx | New AHCA Tool Helps Simplify Emergency Preparedness Compliance | | | | | 3/21/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>Disaster preparedness has long been an important function in the operation of a long term care (LTC) facility. To better assist LTC providers with developing and maintaining emergency preparedness programs while managing compliance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), AHCA has developed an emergency preparedness program self-assessment and resource tool called the <a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Emergency-Preparedness/MemberOnlyDocs/EP%20regulation%20crosswalk%20Feb%202025.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank"><em>CMS Emergency Preparedness Regulations Crosswalk Tool</em></a>. Please note that this resource is available for AHCA members and requires a log in to access. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">This tool identifies each requirement applicable to long term care, provides key guidance from Appendix Z, and describes surveyor validation methods. It also includes a variety of useful web links that provide access to information and tools on everything from incident command to after-action reports. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">This resource aims to be helpful in a time when the focus on disaster preparedness has increased. In 2016, CMS established national emergency preparedness requirements for participating providers. The final rule addressed various components of emergency preparedness, including plan development, content, preparation, training, and testing. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;"><a href="https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/downloads/som107ap_z_emergprep.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">State Operations Manual - Appendix Z</a> outlines the emergency preparedness requirements for 17 different provider types, including LTC facilities. It does not apply to most assisted living and independent living providers since they are generally state regulated and don’t participate in Medicare or Medicaid programs. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">There are 44 individual requirements outlined in Appendix Z, with 24 of them specifically applicable to long term care. Each requirement is provided with an “E-tag” designation (e.g. E-001). Appendix Z outlines the requirements, applicability, guidance information, and surveyor procedures for assessing compliance. Needless to say, digesting and applying the 108-page document can be a daunting task for any provider, and that is why AHCA has developed this resource to assist providers </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">AHCA is always available to support members with emergency preparedness questions by emailing <a href="mailto:emergencyprep@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">emergencyprep@ahca.org</a>. </span></div><p></p> | Disaster preparedness has long been an important function in the operation of a long term care facility. | |
| Updates on Vaccine Effectiveness | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Updates-on-Vaccine-Effectiveness-.aspx | Updates on Vaccine Effectiveness | | | | | 3/10/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Recently released <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/pdfs/mm7406-H.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">data</a> show that this year’s COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines both reduce the risk of acute respiratory illness and hospitalizations in older adults. Vaccine effectiveness of 2024–2025 COVID-19 vaccine was 45%–46% against hospitalizations among adults aged 65 years and older, compared with not receiving a 2024–2025 vaccine dose. This was based on data from two networks evaluating vaccine effectiveness, VISION and IVY networks, that collect information from hospitalized individuals on their vaccination status and the type of infections. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Interim 2024–2025 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness estimates were calculated from four American vaccine effectiveness networks. Among adults aged 65 years and older, vaccine effectiveness against any influenza-associated acute respiratory infections was 51% in outpatient settings. And it was 38% (IVY) and 57% (VISION) against hospitalization. As of February 3, 2025, testing for the strains of virus causing human infections found that they match with those strains covered in this year's vaccine. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Details of these studies, along with additional information on VE for children and adults can be found at <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/pdfs/mm7406-H.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">MMWR Feb 27, 2025</a>. </span></div><p></p> | Recently released data show that this year’s COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines both reduce the risk of acute respiratory illness and hospitalizations in older adults. | |
| Listeria Outbreak Linked to Supplement Shakes | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Listeria Outbreak-Linked-to-Supplement-Shakes-.aspx | Listeria Outbreak Linked to Supplement Shakes | | | | | 2/26/2025 5:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">The </span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/shakes-022025/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)</span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to supplement shakes. Many people in this outbreak lived in long term care facilities or were hospitalized before becoming sick. Currently, there have been 38 cases, 37 hospitalizations, and 12 deaths across 21 states</span><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":300,"335559739":300}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><em>Listeria</em> </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">is especially harmful to pregnant women, people 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems. This is because Listeria is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":300,"335559739":300}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":300,"335559739":300}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><strong>Timeline</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":280,"335559739":80}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">On February 22, 2025, Lyons Magnus LLC (“Lyons Magnus”) announced a voluntary recall of 4 oz. Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial Frozen Supplemental Shakes due to the potential for contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. These products were distributed throughout the United States. The top of the carton has a printed label identifying the Lot Code and Best By Date for these products. A chart of all recalled products is available on the </span><a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lyons-magnus-recalls-lyons-readycare-and-sysco-imperial-frozen-supplemental-shakes-manufactured#recall-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">FDA website</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":300,"335559739":300}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":300,"335559739":300}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><strong>What You Should Do</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"134245418":true,"134245529":true,"335559738":280,"335559739":80}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Do not serve any recalled products to residents. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":220,"335559739":220}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/communication-resources/clean-refrigerator-steps.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Clean</span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> the refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched the recalled products. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":220,"335559739":220}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Call a healthcare provider right away if a resident presents with the following symptoms after consuming recalled products:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":220,"335559739":220}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="o" data-font="Courier New" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":1440,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="2" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"335559738":220,"335559739":220}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Visit</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> the Lyons Magnus </span><a href="https://www.lyonsmagnus.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">website</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> for more information or contact them at </span><a href="mailto:%E2%80%AFfrozenshakerecall@lyonsmagnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> </span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">frozenshakerecall@lyonsmagnus.com</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div></div> | The CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to supplement shakes. | |
| Do You Maintain a Compliant Fire Safety Plan? | https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Do-You-Maintain-a-Compliant-Fire-Safety-Plan.aspx | Do You Maintain a Compliant Fire Safety Plan? | | | | | 1/22/2025 5:00:00 AM | | <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">F</span><span style="font-size:11pt;">ire safety is a critical component of any healthcare organization’s overall safety program. As such, healthcare providers are required to develop facility-specific fire and evacuation procedures, provide fire safety training, and conduct regularly scheduled fire drills. </span></p><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Most facility fire procedures correctly focus on the critical actions to take upon discovery of a fire. These actions are often simplified into an acronym such as RACE (rescue, alarm, contain, evacuate) or something similar. However, the Life Safety Code® requires some very specific information to be included in a healthcare occupancy’s fire safety plan. Review your fire safety plan and fire procedures against these nine (9) required components to ensure they are comprehensive and compliant with Section 19.7.2.2 of the Life Safety Code® (2012 edition) and CMS tag K-711. </span></div><div><br></div><div><ol><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><strong>Use of Alarms:</strong> Upon discovery of a fire, procedures should direct staff to quickly activate the fire alarm system via the closest manual pull station. In addition to building-wide notification, activation of the fire alarm will likely initiate a variety of automatic actions such as door release, HVAC shutdown, and fire department notification. <br><br></span></li><li><strong>Transmission of Alarms to the Fire Department:</strong> Your fire alarm system most likely maintains some direct connection to ensure the fire department is automatically notified when the alarm is activated. This is commonly accomplished via the use of a central monitoring service. However, there are a handful of other arrangements that lead to the same outcome. Ensure your procedures specifically spell out how alarms are transmitted to the fire department. <br><br></li><li><strong>Emergency Phone Call to Fire Department:</strong> Although the fire alarm system is required to automatically contact the fire department, a direct phone call to the fire department (usually via 911), is an extremely important step. Not only does it serve as a back-up communication, but it allows the facility to provide details regarding the situation directly to emergency personnel. Specific information can be extremely valuable to dispatchers and firefighters and may have a direct impact on the emergency response. Make sure your procedures include a back-up phone call and clarify who is to make the back-up call on all shifts. <br><br></li><li><strong>Response to Alarms:</strong> It is important that procedures clarify who should respond to the fire area when. For example, during normal business hours, there are often additional staff in the building available to respond to alarms. However, in the evening and overnight, it may be necessary for additional clinical staff to report to the fire area to ensure there are enough hands to implement the procedures. Procedures should detail roles for all staff upon activation of the alarm. <br><br></li><li><strong>Isolation of the Fire:</strong> Health care occupancies are specifically designed to contain smoke, thereby limiting its ability to travel throughout the building. Closing doors, and keeping them closed, is a critical step in limiting smoke travel. Staff procedures should clarify their role in closing the door to the fire room along with the remaining doors in the building. <br><br></li><li><strong>Evacuation of Immediate Area:</strong> Quick removal of the occupants of the fire room is essential. Procedures should place emphasis on evacuation of the fire room followed by closure of the fire room door to keep smoke from spreading. <br><br></li><li><strong>Evacuation of the Smoke Compartment:</strong> Extended evacuation beyond the fire room is an important decision to be made and depends on a few factors. Procedures should clarify when it is appropriate to evacuate the remainder of the smoke compartment, order of evacuation, and the evacuation destination. Evacuation floorplans are often a helpful visual reference that clarify smoke barrier boundaries, evacuation direction, and fire department entry. <br><br></li><li><strong>Preparation of Floors and Building for Evacuation:</strong> While the initial point of focus is the immediate fire area, staff should simultaneously be taking action throughout the remainder of the building as well. This includes preparing for possible extended evacuation of the fire floor, floors above or below, or possibly the entire building. Procedures should outline who will determine the need for further evacuation, how it will be communicated, and what the extended evacuation process will entail. This may include vertical evacuation techniques for multi-story buildings. <br><br></li><li><strong>Extinguishment of Fire:</strong> It may be appropriate for staff to extinguish a fire. Procedures should clarify the situations, methods, and supporting equipment available for fire suppression. </li></ol></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Fire drills serve as an opportunity to evaluate staff knowledge and test staff implementation of the fire safety plan. Fire drills are required to be conducted quarterly on each shift with the drill times and conditions varied. Drills conducted between 6:00am and 9:00pm should include the activation of the building fire alarm system. Otherwise, overnight fire drills are permitted to use a coded announcement instead of audible alarms. It is not the intent of fire drills to excite or disturb residents. Detailed fire drill requirements are found in Section 19.7.1 of the Life Safety Code® (2012 edition) and referenced in CMS tag K-712. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Knowledge of applicable codes and standards is your best tool for ensuring life safety compliance. You can purchase a copy of the Life Safety Code® (NFPA 101) online at <a href="http://www.nfpa.org/" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">www.nfpa.org</a>. The AHCA/NCAL <a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/Pages/Fire-Life-Safety.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">website</a> is also a good source for on-going fire safety education, tools, and resources. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;"></span></div><p></p> | Fire safety is a critical component of any healthcare organization’s overall safety program. | |