WALA News for June 16, 2010

1. Building Blocks of Training

This workshop is designed to provide you with dynamic tools for presenting effective instruction. If you are an experienced instructor, it will provide you with new ideas to expand your repertoire of instructional practices or if you are a new instructor, it will provide you with a road map for how to start thinking about teaching adults. This course meets the six hour teaching/training requirement as defined in the applications for 83.20. Go to the WALA Store at www.ewala.org for more information on any of the events listed above or to register today!

2. New BAL Memos - DQA Memo 10-016 - Changes in 2010 to WI Clean Indoor Air Act and the Effect on Assisted Living Facilities

Effective July 5, 2010, an amendment to the Wisconsin Clean Indoor Air Act (Wis. Stat. 101.123) will prohibit smoking in common and public areas of assisted living facilities in Wisconsin.

As amended, Wis. Stat. 101.123(2) prohibits smoking in certain enclosed places, including all enclosed places that are places of employment or that are public places. Subsections 101.123(3)(j) and (i) allow the following exceptions to prohibitions against smoking in assisted living facilities:

• a room used by only one person in an assisted living facility as his or her residence; or
• a room in an assisted living facility in which two or more persons reside if every person who lives in the room smokes and each of those persons has made a written request to the person in charge of the assisted living facility to be placed in a room where smoking is allowed.

After July 5, 2010, smoking will be prohibited in facility offices, work areas, employee lounges, restrooms, and conference and meeting rooms.

After July 5, 2010, assisted living facilities may choose to become a smoke-free facility, allow smoking in resident rooms per Wis. Stats. 101.123(3)(i) and 101.123(3)(j), and/or designate an outdoor smoking area.

Assisted living facilities that currently have a policy allowing smoking in designated areas within the facility will need to revise the policy per the above guidelines. Residents will need to be given notice of any changes in accordance with applicable administrative code. Current residents are not grandfathered for smoking inside the facility.

Designated outdoor smoking areas must meet the following criteria:

• The area must be provided with an adequate number of ash trays made of non-combustible material.
• Oxygen tanks should not be allowed in the area.
• If the area is designed for protection from the weather, the area may not meet the definition of an "enclosed space". If the area meets the definition of an enclosed space, smoking would be prohibited within that area.

Wis. Stat. 101.123(2m) specifies that no person in charge may allow any person to smoke in violation of the Wisconsin Clean Indoor Air Act.

Finally, the Clean Indoor Air Act does not limit the authority of any county, city, village or town to enact ordinances complying with the purpose of the Act to protect the health and comfort of the public. Assisted living facilities need to keep in compliance with local regulation as well as state law.

If you have any questions, please contact the Assisted Living Regional Director in your region at: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_dsl/Contacts/ALSreglmap.htm

DQA Memo 10-013 - Update: Health Facility Construction Plan Reviews and Onsite Inspections

DQA Memo 10-012 - Heat Awareness

3. alea Announces "Best Practices" in the Workplace Series

alea , WALA's Training Partner, offers a wide variety of both classroom and state-of-the-art online courses to staff of assisted living facilities across the state of Wisconsin. Each month, alea travels to four locations across the state – Madison, Eau Claire, Milwaukee, and Wausau - to deliver all four 83.20 courses to providers in these regions. Check out the alea website - www.aleatraining.com - for more specific information and to learn how to register for our courses.

In addition to the 83.20 and online orientation / continuing education courses, we are excited to announce alea's "Best Practices" in the Workplace series. Based on survey results from many of WALAs members and other facilities across the state, alea has designed and developed programs in four critical areas of competence needed in today's assisted living environments. Following is a snapshot example of programs offered within each area:

• Emotional Intelligence Series
• Do You Hear What I Hear? (Building Active Communication Skills)
• At Your Service (Developing Service-Orientation and Hospitality Mindset)
• Knowledge and Skills-based Series
• Caution: Handle With Care (Practicing ADLs for the First-time Caregiver [or as a refresher])
• Tell the Story (Documenting Effectively and Accurately)
• Management and Leadership Series
• Tell It Like It Is (Giving Effective Feedback)
• Turn Around ... Is Anyone Following? (Understanding the Difference Between Leading and Managing)
• Human Resources Series
• The Best of the Best (Recruiting, Interviewing and Selecting Employees)
• You're Fired! (Managing Involuntary Terminations)

More programs exist under each competency area and can be customized to meet the needs of a facility, or consortium of facilities - try one, try them all or mix and match to specific areas of need! As with all of alea's programs, professional, skilled facilitators employ learning techniques that engage adult audiences and meet internal quality standards for delivery. Contact alea today (608-819-2190 or mdemers@aleatraining.com) to learn more about the Best Practices series and watch for announcements on our website for regional Best Practices in the Workplace opportunities coming your way soon!

4. Draft of Chapter 50 Resident Relocation Manual - Feedback Needed!

The Department of Health Services, Division of Long Term Care, has revised and updated its Chapter 50 Resident Relocation Manual. VIEW IT HERE. The revised draft manual was posted to the Internet earlier this spring and it is in use. While the draft manual is lengthy, please note many of the pages are technical assistance and training documents.

After some experience with the revised manual, DHS is sending the draft manual for your information and reference. Many of you also have experience and expertise in relocating residents of SNFs, ICFs-MR and CBRFs that close or down-size significantly. Your knowledge will help DHS keep the manual current, relevant and helpful.

The Department wants your feedback! Please review and comment on the draft manual by emailing or calling WALA at info@ewala.org or calling at 608/288-0246. We would appreciate having your preliminary comments by July 15, 2010. It is important to note that a condensed version of this manual will be drafted for use by Community Based Residential Facilities.

5. Legislative Update

So Far 23 State Legislators Announce They will Not Seek Re-Election

As of June 1, 2010, 3 state senators and 20 state assembly representatives have announced they will not be seeking re-election.  The state senate is comprised of 33 seats, of which the odd numbered seats are up for election\re-election.  And, the state assembly is comprised of 99 seats, all of which are up for election\re-election.  Currently Democrats control the majority in both houses: Senate 18-15 and Assembly 52-46-1.  The number of open assembly seats coupled with the close margins for majority control means this election cycle will be very competitive in both houses and the gubernatorial race.  In addition, today is the first day that candidates for state office can begin circulating nomination papers. Candidates for public office are required to obtain a minimum number of signatures from local voters so their name can be placed on the primary and general election ballots.

6. Focus 2010 - Mark Your Calendars!

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Quality Assurance is pleased to announce the 10th Annual Conference for Health Care Providers and Division of Quality Assurance Staff.

November 18, 2010, Focus 2010 Conference, "Striving for Excellence  in Challenging Times" 

November 17, 2010, Focus 2010 Special Session, "Infection Prevention and Control"

Presenters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and many other areas. For more information please go to http://dhs.wi.gov/rl_dsl/Training/focus10.htm

7. Residential Rate Setting Project Overview Website Available

Go here for more information on the Residential Rate Setting Project: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare/ProgramOps/ResidentialRateSetting.HTM

Reports dating back to the inception of the managed long-term care programs can be found at this website: http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/ltcare/StateFedReqs/CapitationRates.htm.

8. Your residents may be qualified for free food!

Hunger Task Force is a food bank located in Milwaukee County.  They are under a federal mandate to expand our StockBox Program Attached is a basic fact sheet about StockBox.  Low income seniors in Milwaukee, Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, and even Racine and Kenosha counties may be qualified to enroll in this program.  A StockBox is a free box of food from the federal government and is given to people older than 60 who have a monthly income of $1,174 or less. StockBox is loaded with canned and dry goods that will help your food buying budget. For more information follow this LINK.