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Archive May 2024

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Maine's Essential Care & Support Workforce Partnership to Host a Summit on June 18

For the past two years, MHCA has been a member of Maine’s Essential Care & Support Workforce Partnership as an Advisory Council member, working to increase the number of direct care professionals and improve the quality of services provided to people in need. We’re sharing an upcoming event hosted by the Partnership, The Future of Maine’s Care Workforce Planning Summit, on June 18 from 9-4 at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport.
 
The Planning Summit will bring together workers, stakeholders, providers, policymakers, government representatives, and others to establish the start of a five-year action plan to grow the workforce and build a brighter future for everyone in Maine. We hope you will join us!
 
Lunch will be provided. There is a $35 fee to attend, and registration is required – you can sign up here. 

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

Meet Maureen Booth, MHCA’s New Education Program & Conference Coordinator

We are extremely pleased to announce that Maureen Booth will join the MHCA team as the Education Program & Conference Coordinator. With a background in training and conference coordination in the nonprofit sector, Maureen is eager to bring her unique vision to this important role while continuing to enhance the high-quality educational and event offerings that MHCA is known for.

Maureen has spent the last five years working for the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, where she managed training, marketing, event coordination, and budget management for ongoing educational programs and two state-wide conferences. She brings a diverse skill set, including organizational systems development, excellent communication skills, and a knack for building stakeholder engagement. We are excited to welcome Maureen to our team!

Born and raised in Midcoast Maine (although now a Central Mainer), you can often find her near a body of water, dreaming of a future sailboat, painting, or spending time with her two kids.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

UTI Reporting Requirement Begins July 1, 2024

New State rules in Chapter 270 have been adopted regarding reporting urinary tract infections into the NHSN system.  To review the rules click here and scroll to Chapter 270.   

Each nursing facility shall submit to the US CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network
a quarterly submission of data, separated by month, for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
for all locations within facility scope of service in accordance with NHSN specifications
beginning July 1, 2024.
 
Each health care facility shall authorize the MHDO to have access to the NHSN for
facility-specific reports of data, including all patient identifiers, submitted for any
measure under a state or federal mandate. For the purpose of public reporting, all patient identifiers will be protected by MHDO and remain confidential.
 
Maine Health Care Association will be providing education and guidance in the upcoming month to assist all to prepare for this new requirement.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Ten Maine Centers Receive Bronze Quality Award

 
AHCA/NCAL have announced the 2024 Bronze Quality Award Recipients.   Congratulations to the following for their commitment to quality:
  • Sedgewood Commons
  • Springbrook Center
  • Orono Commons
  • Mount Joseph at Waterville
  • Marshwood Center
  • Maine Veterans Home - Augusta
  • Maine Veterans Home - South Paris
  • Harbor Hill
  • Cedar Ridge Center
  • Avita of Wells
 
The Bronze Award level provides applicants with the tools and resources they need for continuous im?provement in quality care. Through the Bronze criteria, based on the Baldrige Excellence Framework, applicants assess their organization’s mission, vision, and key factors that lead to success. At this award level, utilizing the criteria questions applicants develop an organizational profile for their center.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

Final Rule: Adult Protective Services

The final rule regarding Adult Protective Services (APS) Functions and Grants Programs becomes effective on June 7, 2024. This rule establishes the first mandatory federal standards to govern APS policies, procedures, and practices. To receive federal funding, including Elder Justice Act funding for APS systems and programs, each state must comply with this rule by May 8, 2028.

The rule requires states to coordinate with their State Medicaid office, state licensing and certification agencies, and other investigative entities when concerns or allegations of adult maltreatment, exploitation, or abuse arise. States must define the settings and locations where adults may experience maltreatment and self-neglect to be eligible for APS services. Additionally, states must standardize these settings through defined policies.

Each state must establish policies and procedures, consistent with state law, to ensure coordination with other appropriate entities to detect, prevent, address, and remedy adult maltreatment and self-neglect.
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Reminder: Maine Offers Free Front Line Worker Support Through Strengthen ME

Maine's Strengthen ME program has a team and programs dedicated to supporting the well-being for front line workers. Those resources include: 

INDIVIDUAL WORK/LIFE COACHING: Access 1:1 confidential coaching with a licensed mental health counselor to assist with stress and to explore coping skills, wellness options and resilience strategies. Up to six 50-minute sessions, conducted via Zoom or Telephone.

WELLNESS WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS**: Join one of the many workshops offered weekly on a range of topics including: Compassion Fatigue, Navigating Workplace Conflict, Overcoming Procrastination and more! Visit our website for more information or to join one of our statewide virtual trainings or workshops, no registration required.
Accessible here: Healthy Life EAP - StrengthenME
 
FACILITATED GROUP DISCUSSIONS: Gather your work team together for a discussion about how group members are coping with stressors and what support they need from each other. A professional consultant facilitates discussion and provides psycho-education around stress management.
 
**In addition to the services offered above, please know we can tailor our trainings and groups to your unique organizational and team needs. We currently have StrengthenME funding for these and other support services through the start of 2025, so now is the time to call us!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Strengthen ME AT: 1-800-769-9819 OR EMAIL: strengthenME@NORTHERNLIGHT.ORG

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

Framework for Ethical Infection Control Decision Making

APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control ) and IPAC Canada ( Infection Prevention and Control Canada) have collaborated to develop a new resource aimed at aiding healthcare professionals in navigating ethical issues in infection prevention and control (IPC) and facilitating complex decision-making.
Available on the APIC and IPAC Canada websites, the Ethical Infection Prevention and Control (EIPAC) Decision-Making Framework demonstrates how to identify and implement pertinent ethical principles in IPC practices. This FREE toolkit offers a step-by-step guide for addressing challenging situations and includes various scenarios to show the practical application of the framework.
Developed by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre with healthcare partners in North Toronto, the EIPAC framework was adapted based on an existing ethical framework developed by the Community Ethics Network and the subsequent work of the University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics and Trillium Health Partners.
 
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Paid Family and Medical Leave

Chapter 1, Rules Governing Paid Family and Medical Leave 
  • The Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave program is proposing this rule to provide definitions and procedures for implementing the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, which was adopted in 2023. This new law, codified at 26 M.R.S. §§ 850-A through 850-R, will apply to most employees and employers in the State of Maine. PFML will provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave per benefit year for family, medical or safe leave, with such benefits beginning in mid-2026. Premium contributions will begin January 2025. To ensure proper implementation, this rule explains in detail the rights and responsibilities that will apply to employers, employees, self-employed individuals and tribal governments related to contributions and benefits. This rule also outlines application procedures, notice requirements and the process for employers to apply for a private plan substitution.
  • Public Hearing: Monday, June 10, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., at the Maine Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Room, 45 Commerce Dr., Augusta, ME 04330
The rules can be viewed at https://www.maine.gov/labor/rulemaking/. The public comment period will run until Friday, July 8, 2024. Feel free to submit any written comments through our rulemaking webpage, here.

Staff contact: bhawkins@mehca.org

Emily Saucier Selected for AHCA/NCAL 2024 Future Leaders Program

The Maine Health Care Association is pleased to announce that Emily Saucier, Administrator at Springbrook Center in Westbrook, ME has been selected by the American Health Care Association/ National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) as a future leader in long term care and post-acute care. Emily Saucier will be participating in AHCA/NCAL’s Future Leaders program, which provides year-long training and mentorship for professionals in long term and post-acute care.
 
“We are thrilled to welcome Emily to this year’s Future Leaders program,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “Her dedication and vision for the future of long term care are what set them apart as a true leader in the making.” 
 
Angela Westhoff, MHCA President/CEO adds, “We are thrilled to announce Emily Saucier as Maine’s 2024 Future Leader participant. Emily’s career trajectory in long term care demonstrates her passion for learning and a commitment to making an impact on the future of long term care.”
 
Emily’s journey started off as a CNA at the age of 15. While working fulltime as a CNA, Emily pursued higher education earning a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science and a master’s degree in public health with a concentration in health care management. With hard work and perseverance, she ascended from CNA to a Nursing Home Administrator. She participates in various quality improvement projects and proposes innovative solutions to address systematic challenges. Emily also mentors other administrators in training. Emily is eager to further hone her leadership skills and make a meaningful impact on the future of long term care.
 
AHCA/NCAL developed the Future Leaders program in 2004. Selected participants demonstrate both leadership potential and represent the interests of state and national long term care providers. The program covers the latest theories and practical applications in quality management, customer satisfaction, and leadership. The year-long program kicks off with the “Future Leaders of Long Term Care in America” Symposium held each year in Washington, D.C.
 
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

NIOSH Rescinds Approval for some 3M Respirators

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has honored a request by 3M Scott Fire & Safety to voluntarily rescind 15 NIOSH respirator approvals issued to 3M Scott Fire & Safety. Effective May 15, 2024, any respirator marked with a NIOSH label and number listed in the NIOSH Respiratory Protective Device Information document are no longer NIOSH approved.

See the NIOSH notice 1 and NIOSH notice 2 for more information.
 

Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org
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