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Back to: WALA Home > Industry Insider > News Index > WALA News for November 15, 2004
1) HFS-83 Rewrite: As our most recent fax blast announced, Part 3 (WALA’s terminology) of the HFS-83 rewrite was released in mid-October. This section (HFS-83.14 Orientation, Training, Competency Testing and Exemptions) is perhaps the most controversial because it proposes competency testing for caregivers - at provider’s expense - as a way to solve several serious flaws in the current regulations. WALA is the only association to present alternatives to the costly and problematic competency testing model. There are very complex issues to work out in ANY of the proposals, including the competency model currently being developed by BQA, but it is WALA’s belief that competency testing is the least favorable option for providers, caregivers and the residents of your facilities. BQA has made it clear that they are open to alternatives to the proposed competency testing model. At the last AL Forum on November 9, Laurie Arkens and other representatives of the BQA stated that alternatives are being sought and they NEED TO HEAR FROM PROVIDERS in order to rewrite the current regulations in a way that works best for all. In this regard, providers and associations active in the AL Forum are, as Arkens said, the BQA’s “advisory committee.” Said Arkens, “We do not have any pieces [of the rewrite] that are non-negotiable.” 2) Provider Organization Summit’s Evaluation of Competency Testing In addition to the alternatives to competency testing submitted by WALA, the Provider Organization Summit (POS), which includes WALA, WPSA, RSA, RFW and CAPOW, will also present to BQA an evaluation of the myriad problems that may arise with competency testing. While BQA is aware that several concerns about third party competency testing must be addressed, it is POS’s contention that logistical, financial and other problems make competency testing an unfavorable alternative to the current regulations. Moreover, BQA’s own data shows a very
clear improvement in training in 2003 and 2004. Thanks to LuAnne Schroeder
of 3) BQA Draft Memos: WALA Needs to Hear Your Comments! At the AL Forum on November 9, BQA presented three draft memos regarding medications management for review: Freedom of Choice of a Pharmacy Provider: This memo addresses a resident’s or tenant’s rights to choose their pharmacist. The memo indicates: “In some cases facilities have unknowingly created criteria for pharmacies that have eliminated all choice for resident’s or in other cases have unknowingly presented materials that it appears the resident has no choice but to use the pharmacy preferred by the facility.” The memo sets down guidelines to solve this problem. Destruction of Medications: Questions have come up related to the appropriate times to destroy medications in assisted living facilities. This memo responds to these questions. BQA Memo 04-006 Addendum – Sample Medications. This memo addresses the issue of whether or not residents and tenants in assisted living facilities can use sample medications. The deadline for comment on these draft memos is November 30, 2004. Please send comments to WALA at info@ewala.org or contact the WALA office by November 29. 4) Renew your membership in the strongest assisted living association in Wisconsin The end of the year is quickly approaching and if you have not already renewed your membership in WALA, now is the time. Our membership continues to grow rapidly! With nearly 575 members representing 10,250 residents, WALA has a solid membership base of AFHs, CBRFs, RCACs and industry experts – from the small three-bed facility to one of the largest providers in the country. We continue to lead the nation with our innovative training programs, annual conference, fall symposium and now the Advanced Management Certification. WALA has taken the lead in the rewrite of HFS-83 and you can count on us to take the concerns of the industry to BQA and state legislators. It is your support of WALA that makes it all possible! NO increase in membership dues for 2005! If you have not renewed, please contact Chris Herb at cherb@ewala.org or 608/442-0375. You can also renew your membership by going to the WALA website www.ewala.org. 5) Assisted Living Salary and Benefits Report -Assisted Living Salary and Benefits Report - The deadline for the 2004-2005 Assisted Living Salary & Benefits Report has been extended to December 3. The Report is published in cooperation with the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and supported by the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). The Report is the definitive source for ALF compensation. Time and again, WALA has found this information critical in our legislative and PR efforts so PLEASE PARTICIPATE in this important survey. Questionnaires can be downloaded from the HCS website through this direct link: http://hhcsinc.com/AL_Indi&Multi_.php For
further info, please call 201/405-0075, or visit the HCS website at www.hhcsinc.com
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