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OSHA ETS Comments Wanted
As you may be aware, effective June 21 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) to address exposure to COVID-19 to workers in healthcare settings. This healthcare ETS applies to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities, and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID). Compliance is required within 14 days (July 6) for most items and 30 days (July 21) for a few requirements. Please visit the AHCA/NCAL website for a link to webinar for further details along with links to OSHA resources.
AHCA/NCAL is asking members to submit comments before the July 21 deadline. Comments may be submitted online here. Attached please find a PDF of the PowerPoint presentation with details about the ETS. Priority areas outlined in the PowerPoint to include in comments are:
- Recognizing Good Faith Efforts
- Reporting to Other Employers
- Consistent Guidance
- Supports through Consultation
AHCA/NCAL is working on comments to submit as well. We appreciate your efforts to lift the voices of long-term care on this important issue.
NMHCA/NMCAL Convention Update
The 2021 Convention and Exposition was originally scheduled to be held at the Isleta Resort and Casino, August 18-20, 2021, but will be held at the Embassy Suites Albuquerque, August 18-20, 2021.
Due to the Tribal Council's decision to maintain strict covid19 protocols, including limiting classroom size to fewer than 20 people and not allowing anyone under the age of 21 in the building, NMHCA/NMCAL determined we could not hold an effective event at the location.
We are in the process of finalizing contracts, and we expect the registration to be open no later than Friday. We thank you for your patience and look forward to seeing you all in August!
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2021 Annual New Mexico Nursing Excellence Awards will be presented at a gala dinner on Saturday, October 23rd at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town. Silent Auction: 5:30 - 7:00 Dinner: 7:00 pm with awards following. To nominate your nurses, click the link below! There is a new category this year: COVID 19 Response Team Award. This award will be given to your entire team, but at least one nurse must be included in the nomination.
https://www.nmnursingexcellence.org/nomination-categories
NMHCA/NMCAL Announces Restraint Free Initiative End
In 2012, the NMHCA/NMCAL Board of Directors adopted the physical restraint-free initiate. Facilities were asked to demonstrate their commitment to quality by applying for certification and submitting to a rigorous inspection to verify all barriers to the resident's free movement had been eliminated. 23 NM nursing facilities became certified restraint-free facilities and committed to excellence.
The Board voted today to end the initiative and asked the quality committee to look at other areas of quality improvement and introduce a new initiative. Any facility that would still like to become certified may submit an application no later than July 15, 2021. All new and current certified restraint-free facilities will be recognized at the 2021 Convention and Exposition.
You may find the application and process online at https://www.nmhca.org/restraint-free-new-mexico/.
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Infection Control Training
As a reminder, all facilities must take the State infection control training. This is in addition to other infection control programs your staff may have taken. The letter of direction can be found here, and instructions on accessing the training can be found here.
Weekly State Vaccination Reporting:
Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JH392TC to report this data immediately and every Monday by close of business. You will be reporting cumulative data each week, regardless of whether there are changes or not.
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- Report possible COVID-19--505-837-0006.
- NM Division of Health Improvement Incident Reporting: (800) 752-8649
- Vaccine breakthrough reporting - 505-827-0006.
- Report staff and resident vaccines to the State every Monday using the following link, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JH392TC.
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2021 Workshops
2021 Convention and Exposition
Embassy Suites - Albuquerque
August 18-20, 2021
Save the Date!
Registration is now open for the
72nd AHCA/NCAL Convention & Expo
October 10-13 at the National Harbor outside Washington, DC.
Read more...
PPE Ordering Information
Requests for PPE should submit Form ICS 213RR to your local Emergency Manager.
Download Emergency Manager List here
PPE Ordering Process/instructions
NMHCA Staff Contact Information
Vicente Vargas, Executive Director,
v.vargas@nmhca.org, 505-710-8560
Patricia Whitacre, RN, Director of Clinical and Quality Services,
pwhitacre@nmhca.org, 505-301-3085
Tracy Alter, Senior Director of Member Services,
talter@nmhca.org, 505-440-3806
AHCA/NCAL Online Training
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