DOH-Association Meetings Cover Weather Events, Survey Citations, and Nursing Home Staffing Funds
(July 23, 2024) In two meetings with associations on July 17th, the Department of Health (DOH) discussed a variety of issues affecting long-term care providers, including weather events, the adult care facility (ACF) licensure work group, top survey citations, adult day health care (ADHC) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and the distribution of remaining nursing home staffing funds.
Weather Event Updates
The recent storms and power outages were a focus of the meeting. DOH staff noted that they had used a new "Significant Incident Survey" tool to conduct outreach to facilities during the recent weather events. The new tool is distributed via a link embedded in an email rather than the Health Commerce System (HCS). DOH reiterated that facilities must maintain up-to-date HCS roles and 24/7 cell phone contact information in the system. They also noted that some facilities experienced generator malfunctions during the storms. DOH staff emphasized that they will be looking more closely at generator maintenance and testing.
ACFs
The Department indicated that the work group on ACF licensure is proceeding and that its charge will include making recommendations on the need methodology for the Assisted Living Program (ALP). DOH staff also listed the top survey citations for ACFs: medication management, physical environment, resident abuse, dietary, and resident rights. They noted that the ACF Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) "Heightened Scrutiny" packets have been posted for public comment here.
Nursing Homes
Nursing home leaders should keep an eye out for a digital survey that will be used to support the proper allocation of the $93.8 million in remaining staffing funds (the federal share of the $187 million appropriation). The survey will be distributed via the Integrated Health Alerting and Notification System (IHANS) with a link embedded in an email. DOH also promised to provide some additional information on the top three nursing home survey citations: Quality of Care (F684), Free from Abuse and Neglect (F600), and Free from Restraints (F604).
ADHC
DOH will be issuing additional guidance for ADHC programs soon in relation to ARPA funding reporting requirements and the extension of time to spend allocated funds.
LeadingAge NY will continue to provide updates on these and other issues as they become available.
Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org