8:30 am - 9:30 am

Licensing Surveys and Rules: How to Prepare for and What to Expect During a Survey

Session Description:

By understanding the knowledge and tools surveyors bring into the agency for a survey or investigation, keeping up to date with the latest regulations, and placing QAPI into your agency's compliance toolbox, a home and community support service agency (HCSSA) can address deficient practices before a surveyor identifies them onsite. The goal is for agencies to significantly improve the likelihood of a smooth and successful licensing/certification survey.  This session will guide home care professionals through the critical aspects of preparing for a licensing survey, what to expect during the survey, and the latest regulatory updates that may affect agency operations. The key takeaway is that preparation, ongoing compliance efforts with plans of corrective action, and understanding the survey process are essential for achieving and maintaining licensing success.  The focus will be on key surveyor practices, updates in requirements (including the upcoming OASIS rule), and strategies for ensuring compliance.

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Speaker: Rosalind J. Nelson-Gamblin, Consultant, RJNG Health Care Consulting, LLC

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Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours continuing nursing education for Nurses

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9:45 am - 10:45 am

How to Communicate with Surveyors and Respond to Survey Deficiencies 

Session Description:

Join us in this engaging session that will help HCSSA providers navigate the survey process by understanding how to handle deficiencies, how to communicate effectively with surveyors, and what steps to take when you disagree with findings. The session will also address how to create and document an effective Plan of Correction (PoC) and the best strategies for handling difficult situations. Effective communication with surveyors and a proactive approach to addressing deficiencies can lead to better outcomes during the survey process. By understanding the different types of deficiencies, how to respond professionally, and how to create an effective Plan of Correction, HCSSA providers can navigate the survey process with confidence.

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Speaker: Colleen Woods, MSNED, RN, Chief Consulting Officer, Lead Educator, JCC Texas

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Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours continuing nursing education for Nurses

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11:00 am - 12:00 pm

What’s Next? Understanding Enforcement Actions & Penalties and Protecting Your Agency

Session Description:

This session will help all healthcare agencies understand the enforcement actions and penalties they might face following deficiencies, including the appeal process, the role of the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), and strategies for protecting the agency’s reputation and operations. It will also cover how to respond to enforcement actions and how to address issues like self-reporting complaints and other serious matters. If you are ever faced with enforcement actions, respond proactively, be thorough in documentation, and consult with legal professionals to ensure the best possible outcome. By staying informed about the latest proper procedures, you can help ensure that your agency remains compliant and minimize the risk of reputational damage.

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Speaker: Troy Brooks, Of Counsel, Degan, Blanchard & Nash

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Continuing Education: 1.0 clock hours continuing education for Administrators/Alternates; 1.0 contact hours continuing nursing education for Nurses

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