Quality Improvement

Standardizing Infection Prevention & Control

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Infection prevention and control (IPC) best practices were already in place against threats such as influenza before the pandemic crisis. During and after the immediate crisis, multiple approaches and practices arose in response to changing knowledge and guidance. Where are we now—and what is needed for today and into the future?

Speakers:

  • Rhonda DeMeno, Director of Clinical Risk, Willis Towers Watson
  • Megan Crosser, Director of Infection Prevention, nodMD

Moderator: John M. Schulte, Vice President, Quality Improvement, Argentum

Understanding and Complying with the New Regulatory Environment

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As the immediate pandemic threat fades, the prospect and realities of new regulations become top of mind for many operators. This session looks at regulatory trends, priorities and interests for state regulators, and opportunities for industry/regulator collaboration on model guidance. This session also gets into readiness planning, risk assessment/risk management, and other topics to help industry leaders prepare for regulatory changes.

Speakers:

  • Rhonda DeMeno, Director of Clinical Risk, Willis Towers Watson
  • Alfred Johnson, President, National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA)

Moderator: John M. Schulte, Vice President, Quality Improvement, Argentum

Training Memory Care Staff in the Validation Method

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The feeling of being understood, respected, and supported is something all humans need; those with dementia or cognitive disorders need it no less. The validation method acknowledges this reality. Through practicing skills such as listening, extending empathy, and entering the world of the resident, stress and the behaviors it can lead to can be reduced among residents—and caregivers and the community can also benefit. Traci Wagner, director of engagement and program services at Sunrise Senior Living and certified validation teacher, provides insight into putting the validation method into practice. 

Speaker: Traci Wagner, Director of Engagement and Program Services, Sunrise Senior Living

Third Party Auditing in Senior Living: A Success Story

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As senior living communities look ahead and work to return to profitable growth and rebuild their reputations to become a brand of choice for residents and workers alike, many are taking a closer look at their total operations—evaluating operations across all facilities and disciplines to identify risk, cost savings and operational efficiencies. The pandemic highlighted risk associated with infection prevention and the importance of proper procedures, but Senior Living communities have always been focused on these things. Hear how these speakers have partnered to develop and implement a comprehensive audit program that drove brand standards across all levels of care from dining services and housekeeping procedures to transportation and human resources. Hear what drove Brookdale to implement an audit program and benefits from lessons learned as both companies share their experiences and best practices to deliver quality care and optimize operations across communities. 

Speakers:

  • Amanda Coulombe, Director, Corporate Accounts, EcoSure, a division of Ecolab
  • Mandy Sedlak, Senior Manager, Brand Excellence, Public Health and Food Safety, Ecolab

How Telehealth will Impact Care in Senior Living Environments

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Telehealth’s benefits of convenience, chronic disease management, and better care coordination are widely known. The pandemic has added other benefits directly related to the senior living industry: reduced exposure of third-party providers to vulnerable residents; improved billing and reimbursement models from CMS; and HIPAA flexibility during the crisis. What capabilities could telehealth provide related to testing and screening for the next wave of COVID-19? What will the long-term impact be to senior living organizations as telehealth implementations progress and resident adoption increases? What impact might telehealth have on community staffing levels? One thing is certain: telehealth is here to stay. This session will provide both a tactical and strategic overview of this care delivery model and its impact on senior living.

Panelist:
Varun Bajaj, MHA, Project Lead, Digital Health, New York-Presbyterian
Jason Hazel, PT, DPT, Chief Development Officer, Fox Rehab
Scott Smith, Director of Experience and Education, Thrive Senior Living

Moderator:
Erin Shvetzoff Hennessey, Chief Executive Officer, Health Dimensions Group

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WHAT the…?! Operators Share what Hit the Fan and Why

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While operators have long been prepared for flu and hurricane seasons, COVID-19’s lengthy and ever-evolving march through senior communities has created unexpected challenges. Throughout the crisis, Argentum has conducted Executive Roundtable calls and webinars to share collective knowledge and experience on best practices. Organizations have readily shared solutions, forever altering normal operating procedures and expanding our arsenal for the next pandemic. This session will highlight the best of those insights, as well as provide an opportunity for operators to engage in robust, live Q&A with our facilitator and with other attendees.

Facilitator:
JoAnn Carlin, MSN, RN, NHA, CPHRM, CDAL, Vice President Clinical Risk Services, Willis Towers Watson

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Engagement in the New Normal

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In today’s environment, “selling” assisted living to the consumer will need to focus not just on safety, but also socialization. The word “isolation” takes on a new meaning when quarantine is required and not optional. Operators need to ensure physical isolation does not lead to social isolation.

The new normal will be finding ways to keep people engaged in a modified way. Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness affect over half of seniors in care. Senior living provides congregant living that can mitigate this, however, with mitigation and containment measures related to COVID-19 and slow lifting of restrictions of group programming and visitors, how do we provide and “sell” engagement, today and tomorrow?

How can we draw those seniors into support circles of fellow residents or supportive family members? How can we provide a supportive, safe and fun quality of life? This session will feature strategies and solutions to the problem of engagement in the New Normal.

Panelists:
Karen Doering, Chief Operating Officer, Senior Star
Tony Galvan, AVP of Living Well, Vi Living
Whitney Lane, Senior Vice President of Operations, Watercrest Senior Living Group

Moderator:
Maria Nadelstumph, Senior Vice President, Brandywine Center of Excellence

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