News

Assisted Living Survey Readiness: Check Your Postings

On March 14, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry

The assisted living statute (144G) mandates several postings. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has provided a tool on its website, used by surveyors to assess compliance with these posting requirements.

MDH Releases Revised LTC Emergency Preparedness Toolkit

On March 2, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) released a revised long-term care (LTC) emergency preparedness toolkit on Monday.  At the height of the pandemic, this toolkit was used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as an example highlighting the collaborative work between providers, regulators, emergency preparedness experts, etc. to better prepare all long-term care settings for potential emergencies.

New Survey Data: Top Cited Deficiencies from Nursing Home Recertification Surveys

On August 4, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The information available from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality, Certification and Oversight Reports (QCOR) database shows that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has completed 127 nursing facility recertification surveys during the federal fiscal year-to-date. There is some lag time in survey data entry, so the actual current total of surveys conducted is somewhat higher. Here's a sampling of the data:

MDH Reviews Emergency Preparedness Expectations for Assisted Living Facilities: Appendix Z

On April 7, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In a series of weekly webinars over the past several weeks, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provided detailed information about emergency preparedness expectations for assisted living settings and what to anticipate when surveyed. You can review the five emergency preparedness presentations on the MDH website.

Hazard Vulnerability Assessment required for Assisted Living Emergency Preparedness Planning

On October 7, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Assisted living facilities should base their emergency plan on documented facility-based and community-based risk assessments using an all-hazards approach, including addressing a scenario involving missing residents.

Now Available - Emergency Preparedness in Assisted Living Recorded Webinar

On August 11, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

A recording of the July 22 webinar, Emergency Preparedness in Assisted Living, is available for purchase to help your assisted living organization comply with new, extensive requirements for disaster planning and emergency preparedness, which incorporate federal preparedness standards. This is an area of scrutiny in assisted living surveys, and recent mock surveys identified substantial gaps in providers' readiness.

Order your copy here.

Emergency Preparedness in Assisted Living (July 22 Webinar)

On July 14, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Get a detailed overview of the new requirements for disaster planning and emergency preparedness as part of Minnesota's Assisted Living Licensure, which takes effect on Aug.

Emergency Preparedness for Assisted Living Webinar is July 22

On June 30, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

The new assisted living licensure rules include extensive requirements for disaster planning and emergency preparedness. The Minnesota Department of Health rule incorporates federal preparedness standards that take effect on Aug. 1.

Emergency Preparedness Standards for Assisted Living

On June 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Our team has created a new resource to support assisted living facilities with understanding and implementing the emergency preparedness requirements contained in the so-called "Appendix Z."

CMS Extends Flexibility on Emergency Preparedness Exercises

On June 23, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

CMS has extended a regulatory flexibility relating to emergency preparedness exercises.

Under CMS regulations, nursing facilities are required to conduct two emergency preparedness testing exercises annually – with exercises alternating between full-scale functional exercises and exercises of choice (mock drill, table-top exercise, workshop).

Expanded Emergency Preparedness Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities

On April 28, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

As we reported earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memorandum QSO-21-15-ALL providing updated guidance (Appendix Z) for all providers covered by the federal Emergency Preparedness requirements.

CMS Expands Emergency Preparedness Interpretive Guidelines

On April 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memorandum QSO-21-15-ALL providing updated guidance (Appendix Z) for all providers covered by the federal Emergency Preparedness requirements. CMS is currently working on updates to the Emergency Preparedness Basic Surveyor Training Course to reflect the new changes.

LeadingAge Obtains CMS Clarification on Emergency Preparedness Exercises

On February 24, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Under CMS emergency preparedness regulations, nursing facilities are required to conduct two emergency preparedness testing exercises annually – with exercises alternating between full-scale functional exercises and exercises of choice (mock drill, table-top exercise, workshop). 

CMS Memo Addresses Emergency Preparedness Exercises

On October 7, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

Under CMS emergency preparedness regulations, nursing facilities are required to conduct two emergency preparedness testing exercises annually.

Alzheimer’s Association Offers Project ECHO Series on Emergency Preparedness

On May 12, 2020 by Lori Meyer

In response to COVID-19, the Alzheimer’s Association has developed a special topic Project ECHO series based on their guidance Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting. 

CMS Updates Emergency Preparedness Requirements

On November 19, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made two revisions to emergency preparedness requirements for nursing facilities under a rule taking effect Nov. 29, 2019. Read a summary of the rule’s impact prepared by LeadingAge national.  

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month

On September 3, 2019 by Jodi Boyne

Don’t wait for a disaster to strike before you plan how to prepare, respond and recovery. New resources from LeadingAge will help members find the most appropriate resource for them in any phase of disaster planning, response or recovery.  

Survey Preparedness Tip: Life Safety Self-Inspections

On May 22, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

The first installment of LeadingAge Minnesota’s webinar series, Top 10 Life Safety Code Violations and How to Avoid Them, focused on preparing for your federal fire/life safety recertification survey.   

Life Safety Code Documentation Tools & Templates Available to Care Centers

On March 20, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

Information guides, sample policies and other materials relating to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 101, Life Safety Code® 2012 edition, are available to download at no charge from the LeadingAge Minnesota website (scroll down to Life Safety Code Documentation: Guides and Sample Forms).  

CMS Updates Emergency Preparedness Guidance

On February 13, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued updated guidance concerning the federal emergency preparedness requirements Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual – Emergency Preparedness. The memorandum was effective Feb. 1, 2019, and CMS directed that its content be communicated to state agency survey staff within 30 days.