Annual Elder Abuse Prevention Roundtable

• By: Anna Black
• On: 10/23/2025 10:41:53
• In: Special Events

Infection Preventionists Meeting

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 10/23/2025 10:33:19
• In: Infection Control

The next statewide LTC IP meeting will be on Wednesday, November 6, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

This meeting offers a valuable space to connect with peers, share best practices, and explore solutions to the most pressing challenges in the field. It will be a unique opportunity to network, exchange insights, and support one another as we navigate the evolving landscape of infection prevention in long-term care.Whether you're seeking fresh strategies, looking for guidance, or hoping to expand your professional network, we hope you'll join us for this collaborative and enriching session.

IF you have questions for Maine CDC, please submit them to me in advance if possible so that we can be sure we have the answers you are looking for!

Click HERE for the Zoom Meeting Link

Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org

Maine CDC Integration System Down Time

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 10/23/2025 10:24:28
• In: Infection Control

The Maine CDC has scheduled an upgrade of its data integration engine (Rhapsody) to begin at noon, Friday, October 24, 2025. During this downtime, Rhapsody will be temporarily offline, and the Maine CDC will be unable to route electronic messages, including electronic laboratory reports and electronic case reports, to the appropriate reporting system. All messages will be temporarily stored and then routed once the upgrade is complete, which is expected to be by noon, Saturday, October 25. 

Providers can continue to report all routine notifiable conditions in the normal electronic manner, which will be processed once the system is back online. For immediately notifiable conditions, identifiable by the phone icon on our Notifiable Conditions List, please call us directly at 1-800-821-5821 during the downtime. 

Staff Contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Get Ready for Conference Week: Updates, Fun, and Reminders

• By: Maureen Booth
• On: 10/23/2025 10:16:38
• In: Education

Our annual Fall Health Care Conference & Expo is just days away! From engaging educational sessions to lively social events, there’s something for everyone.

Wondering what’s in store? Tuesday kicks off with a pre-conference workshop for those interested in the Quality Awards and our Early Bird Dinner at La Bella Vita Restaurant—a chance to connect with colleagues before the main event. Wednesday night brings the festive Connection Reception & Dinner, complete with a Costume Contest, 50/50 Raffle, and our exciting Ticket Auction. Don’t forget to explore the Cards of Kindness Booth to spread a little cheer!

Need details on sessions, handouts, or CEU requirements? Check your email for the link and QR code to our Attendee Info page—your one-stop shop for everything you need to know leading up to the conference. From session schedules to handouts and CEU guidance, it’s all designed to help you plan, prepare, and get excited for an amazing week at the Samoset!

Pack your layers, bring your enthusiasm, and get ready to celebrate, learn, and connect—we can’t wait to see you at the Samoset!

Staff Contact: mbooth@mehca.org

DHHS Health PAS Online Portal Back Up and Running

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 10/23/2025 09:05:39
• In: State Agency News

Earlier this week, the DHHS Health PAS Online Portal experienced technical difficulties. The Portal is now up and running and providers will have access without issue. The Gainwell Provider Services Call Center is operating normally as well.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

Long Term Care Residents Become Pen Pals with College Students

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 10/23/2025 09:04:45
• In: Announcements/Reminders

Country Village Estates in Madawaska, ME is participating for the 2^nd year in a special program that is part of the curriculum at the Cegep de Cabano, College in Cabano Quebec Canada. The English class is made up of 9 freshmen and 10 juniors and their instructor is Mark Parent, MA. A total of 19 residents wrote letters to the students introducing themselves, and in return the students picked the residents they wanted to be pen pals with. Along with corresponding through letters, the students will also come to Country Village to participate in an in-person activity and they will also have meetings with each other through Zoom. This is a terrific program that fosters international and intergenerational communication. Thank you to Paula Gendreau, Activity Director at Country Village Estates, for sharing information and this photo!


Photo: Mark Parent, instructor; Ron Daigle resident; Paula Gendreau Activity Director, and Robyn Nadeau Assistant Administrator

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

AHCA/NCAL Convention Winding Up in Las Vegas: Maine Providers Receive Recognition

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 10/23/2025 09:02:55
• In: National Affiliate News

The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Delivering Solutions 25 Convention was held from October 19-22 in Las Vegas, NV. This convention brought together long term care, post-acute, and assisted living professionals from across the country for a dynamic experience of learning, networking, and celebration. Maine’s 13 centers receiving quality awards (12 bronze and 1 silver) were recognized during the “Elevating Excellence” awards ceremony on October 21. They will also be recognized at the MHCA Fall Conference next week on Thursday, October 30^th. Finally, John Bolduc from Maine was also recognized for his service on the NCAL Board of Directors. Congratulations to all!

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org

CMS Issues Updated QSO Guidance on Survey and Certification During Shutdown

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 10/22/2025 11:28:04
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today released an updated Quality, Safety & Oversight (QSO) memorandum outlining contingency plans for survey and certification activities during the ongoing federal government shutdown. CMS clarified that activities not listed as “excepted” during the shutdown are *not legally authorized* to be performed. Key updates to the previously issued memo include:

Revisits to Prevent DPNA: In addition to previously authorized reasons, states should conduct revisits to prevent a statutorily mandated denial of payment for new admissions (DPNA) at the three-month mark.

Pending CMS-2567 Forms: For surveys completed prior to the shutdown that do not qualify as excepted work, any CMS-2567 not finalized before the shutdown should be held. These forms will remain valid once completed after the shutdown. CMS will issue further instructions on how to complete and process these reports.

Standard Surveys: Processing of recently completed surveys that did not identify immediate jeopardy or actual harm should be paused until normal operations resume.

Authorized Revisit Surveys: Only revisits necessary to (1) confirm the removal of immediate jeopardy or actual harm, (2) prevent Medicare termination within 45 days, or (3) prevent mandatory DPNA within 15 days are authorized. Any other revisits are not permitted. CMS will provide post-shutdown guidance for handling these situations.

Initial Surveys: Medicare initial surveys are suspended unless specifically allowed under QSO exceptions. Medicaid-only surveys may proceed following consultation with the State Medicaid Agency.

Initial Certification: States should not conduct initial surveys or process certification kits for new Medicare applicants, including those pursuing accreditation through CMS-approved programs.

Complaint Investigations: Only complaint investigations alleging immediate jeopardy or actual harm may be performed. States must continue entering all federal allegations into the appropriate information systems.

State-Funded Surveys: States may continue state-funded surveys; however, these will not be recognized as federal surveys during the funding lapse.

Harm-Level Citations: If a facility is cited for a harm-level deficiency, the State must issue a Form CMS-2567 and perform necessary revisits to ensure prompt correction.

Closures: In cases of voluntary nursing home closures, the State remains responsible for ensuring safe resident relocation.

Provider Enrollment Activities: All provider enrollment actions, including initial and change-of-ownership (CHOW) surveys, are suspended until the shutdown ends.

Activities: Contractors may not perform any federal work considered non-excepted during the shutdown.
 
Additional details, including the previously released memo can be found here.  A summary table of all operational guidance, is available here. 
 
For questions, please contact regulatory@ahca.org
 
 
Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org

AHCA Releases Standard Precautions Toolkit for IPCs

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 10/20/2025 09:00:28
• In: Infection Control

AHCA has developed a Standard Precautions Competency Toolkit to support Infection Preventionists in conducting and tracking nursing staff competency training. This resource was reviewed and approved by CDC staff in September 2025 as part of our Project Firstline Grant, which also supports this forum.

Access the Toolkit: Competency Testing Toolkit for Standard Precautions  The toolkit includes:

• A comprehensive overview document and navigation video
• Competency tracking tools
• Communication templates
• Station-based resources available as full packets or individual downloads

Areas of Assessment Covered:

• Hand Hygiene
• Environmental Cleaning & Disinfection (including Linen Handling)
• Injection & Medication Safety
• Risk Assessment & PPE Use
• Minimizing Exposure (Respiratory Hygiene & Resident Placement)
• Reprocessing Reusable Medical Equipment

This toolkit is designed to make annual competency assessments easier and “ready-made” for facility use. It can also be adapted for other staff groups or competency needs.

Staff contact: mcarland@mehca.org
 

Don't Forget to Register for Life Safety Bootcamp!

• By: Maureen Booth
• On: 10/16/2025 13:07:03
• In: Education

Registration is Open for MHCA’s Life Safety Bootcamp!

MHCA is excited to announce that we will be hosting Life Safety Bootcamp on November 20th at the Augusta Civic Center!

The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office, along with experts from Dirigo RMS and MHCA, will lead this one-day training designed to help administrators and maintenance managers work together as partners in compliance.

The training combines hands-on instruction from Maine’s Fire Marshal team with practical guidance from Dirigo RMS and MHCA on risk assessment, documentation, policies, and emergency planning. Participants will walk away with concrete tools, sample templates, and strategies to prepare for survey and strengthen their facility’s emergency readiness.

Click here for more information, including the registration link!

Staff Contact: mbooth@mehca.org