Meet the CMS Mandate to be a Qualified Infection Preventionist
CMS Mandates Extra Training to Qualify as an Infection Preventionist. IPCO Delivers that Training!
AHCA/NCAL and the University of Nebraska Medical Center have an outstanding course to help your facility operationalize CMS requirements for Infection Prevention & Control through the leadership of an Infection Preventionist. CMS and AHCA recommend that skilled nursing facilities have at least two trained individuals to serve as Infection Preventionists. This education is essential to help lead your organization to a high standard of care while effectively implementing and managing an infection prevention and control program at your skilled nursing or assisted living center. Administrators benefit from this education as well to help strengthen a successful infection prevention and control culture.
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Contains 37 Component(s), Includes Credits
CMS Mandates Extra Training to Qualify as an Infection Preventionist. IPCO Delivers that Training! Become a specially trained and qualified Infection Preventionist by completing the American Health Care Association’s Infection Preventionist training. Cost: $450 AHCA/NCAL members | $650 Non-members. If you are unsure of your member status, please email educate@ahca.org before making payment.
Welcome!
AHCA/NCAL’s Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long term care settings and is specifically tailored to train Infection Preventionists (IPs) in nursing facilities.
CMS mandates that every nursing facility have a designated and specially trained Infection Preventionist who is running a comprehensive infection prevention and control program. AHCA recommends that nursing facilities train at least two clinical staff members as IPs should one IP leave or be unavailable.
The comprehensive IPCO training covers:
- COVID-19
- Other common pathogens
- Multidrug-resistant organisms
- Antibiotic stewardship
- Water management and more
About the online training:
- Flexible and self-paced (take up to 12 months to complete)
- Online learning 24/7
- 9 course modules
Cost: $450 AHCA/NCAL members | $650 Non-members
Group purchase with discount structure is available for groups of five or more. There are no refunds and no transfers. Visit the FAQs to know more about the discount offered.
Objectives
Individuals who successfully complete this course will learn how to:
- Demonstrate how to effectively manage an Infection Prevention and Control Program within a nursing or assisted living facility
- Convey to staff effective strategies to prevent infections
- Implement practices and procedures to mitigate infections
- Evaluate practices and policies related to infection prevention
- Provide on-going education to others including staff, residents and families
Individual module objectives are found in the module resource tab within the module presentations and in the User Guide. Participants must complete all training modules and successfully pass module quizzes and final test with a grade of 80 or above to receive a certificate of completion from AHCA that is valid for three years.
Accredited Continuing Education
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by University of Nebraska Medical Center and American Health Care Association. University of Nebraska Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
NURSES/NURSE PRACTITIONERS
The University of Nebraska Medical Center designates this activity for 24.5 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim credit for the actual time spent participating in the activity.
Certificates
Three certificates will be awarded upon successful completion of the program:
- UNMC CON CNE will provide a certificate awarding 24.5 contact hours.
- AHCA will provide a Specialized Training Completion certificate, valid for 3 years.
- 24.5 continuing education hours (CEs) from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)
Certificates Renewal - specialized training completion certificates are valid for 3 years. Click here for information about renewing your AHCA IPCO Certificate.
If you are not sure of your member status, please email educate@ahca.org before making payment.
© 2024 American Health Care Association. All rights reserved. All Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) materials subject to this copyright may be photocopied or distributed for the purpose of nonprofit or educational advancement. The use, photocopying, and distribution for commercial purposes of any of these materials is expressly prohibited without the prior written permission of American Health Care Association.
Holly Harmon, RN, MBA, LNHA, FACHCA
Senior VP, Quality, Regulatory & Clinical Services
American Health Care Association
Holly Harmon, RN, MBA, LNHA, FACHCA brings both passion anda wealth of practical, real-world, clinical and operational experience to herrole as Senior Director of Clinical Services at AHCA. Her extensive service ina wide array of settings including post-acute care, long term care, residentialcare, assisted living, independent living, a psychiatric hospital andoccupational health have provided her with insights, knowledge, skills andinnovative ideas which she exuberantly shares with others.
In addition to her vast clinical experience, Ms. Harmon hasput her dynamic energy into leading the statewide Maine Culture ChangeCoalition/LANE as President, the Maine Partnership to Improve Dementia Care inNursing Homes as Co-Chair, Vice-President of American College of Health CareAdministrators, Maine Chapter and the Maine LANE Co-Convener for the nationalAdvancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes Campaign. She also served asthe Director of Quality Improvement & Regulatory Affairs at the MaineHealth Care Association.
She puts her boundless energy and warm and energeticpersonality into training, education and presenting both, nationally andlocally. She has made simplifying the complex world of long term and post-acutecare policy and practice an art.
David Gifford, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Officer , AHCA
Chief Medical Officer, AHCA David Gifford, MD, MPH, is a geriatrician and former medical director of several nursing homes in Rhode Island. He currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer at the American Health Care Association. He helped create the Quality Department at AHCA which assists providers in their quality improvement efforts and works with administration officials on regulations and policies impacting the profession.
Dr. Gifford also serves on the Board of the Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes campaign and the Baldrige Foundation Board. He is a former Director of the Rhode Island State Department of Health, where he received the National Governor’s award for Distinguished Service Award for State Officials. Prior to that he served as Chief Medical Officer for Quality Partners of Rhode Island where he directed CMS’ national nursing home-based quality improvement effort. He also holds a faculty appointment at Brown University Medical School and School of Public Health. He received his medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and conducted his geriatric fellowship at UCLA where he also earned his Master’s in Public Health while a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar.
Marguerite McLaughlin, MA
VP, RIHCA
MARGUERITE M. McLaughlin has recently been named Vice President at the RI Healthcare Association. She has worked in the nation’s capital as Senior Director of Quality Improvement at AHCA. She pursues her passion for improving the lives of residents living in long term care centers by developing educational resources, tools and products for staff, and consulting with staff to improve quality within nursing centers. Ms. McLaughlin is an enthusiastic educator and trainer working both locally and nationally to support change in healthcare. Her 30+ years of experience – at Saint Elizabeth Home, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Healthcentric Advisors (the state’s Quality Improvement Organization) have provided her with unique insights and “boots on the ground” experience in helping organizations improve care and service to their residents. She has served as liaison to the Industry Partnership for Healthcare under the Governor’s Workforce Board-Rhode Island. In this role she provided solutions to bridge the skills gaps within the healthcare industry. She was Co-Chair of SAGE-RI for six years. She earned a Master’s degree in Holistic Counseling at Salve Regina and applies this knowledge to individualized care and organizational culture.
Janet Snipes, NHA
Chair, AHCA Quality Improvement Committee
Janet Snipes NHA is currently retired. She has served on the Colorado Health Care Association Board of Directors for the past 20 years and was the Chairman of the Board from 2004-2014. She served as Chair of the American Health Care Association (AHCA) Quality Improvement Committee from 2010 to 2014.
Stefan Gravenstein, MD, MPH
Director, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care
Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University
A geriatrician, former John Franklin Chair of Geriatrics and Director of the Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at Eastern Virginia Medical School (1996-2007), and Director of Center for Geriatrics and Palliative Care at University Hospitals in Cleveland (2014-2017), Stefan Gravenstein is now the David S. Greer Professor of Geriatrics and Professor in the departments of Medicine and Health Services Policy and Practice at Brown's schools of medicine and public health. He serves as the Director, Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Associate Director of the Center on Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports at the Providence Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Gravenstein has a long-standing interest in immunity, inflammation, cardiovascular outcomes and aging especially in the context of vaccines and the long-term care setting, and the topic of the majority of his publications. He also has a specific interest in quality improvement in health care, the culture of care, antimicrobial stewardship, and how to improve care transitions. Beginning n 2020, he became active in several projects related to COVID in long-term care. He was Clinical Director at Healthcentric Advisors, Medicare's Quality Improvement Organization for New England from 2007 to 2019. 
Elie Saade, MD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Medicine, CWRU School of Medicine
Dr. Elie Saade is Assistant Professor Medicine at Case Western University School of Medicine. He specializes in infectious diseases.
Janet Robinson, RN, MEd, CIC
Senior Program Administrator, Healthcentric Advisors
Ms. Robinson is board certified in infection control, and has twenty-four years of consulting experience in long-term care facilities. She is an accomplished public speaker and educator in the area of long-term care infection control. In collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Health as well as the American Health Care Association, she has contributed to the development of guidelines and training materials.
Linda Behan, BSN, RN, CWCN, CIC
Senior Director of Infection Prevention and Control
Genesis HealthCare
Linda Behan BSN, RN, CIC is the Corporate Senior Director of Infection Prevention and Control for Genesis HealthCare. Linda has been certified in infection prevention and control for over 10 years. She leads a team of Infection Preventionists in developing policies and procedures as well as developing and delivering education across the company. Linda serves on the APIC Professional Development Committee and frequently presents at healthcare and professional organization conferences.
Gail Polanski, RN, BSN
President of Tara Therapy, LLC
Gail Polanski RN, BSN serves as the President of Tara Therapy, LLC, a position she has held since 2003. As President, Gail leads a team of dedicated professionals in providing therapy services to patients in skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, home health and hospice programs. Gail has more than 30 years of experience in senior management positions. Her expertise includes the delivery of rehabilitation services, denials management, compliance, and case mix management. She is knowledgeable of Medicare regulations and managed care contractual requirements.
Prior to joining Tara Therapy, Gail was an independent consultant and entrepreneur. As owner of MG Healthcare Solutions, she provided consulting services to clients across the country on the changing Medicare payment program and SNF PPS regulations. Gail has presented at national conventions and is currently an active member of the AHCA Clinical Practice Committee and serves as the co-chair for the MDS/IMPACT subcommittee.
Stacey Merritt Hord, LNHA, MCD, CCC-SLP, QAPI
Vice President of Quality for Golden Living
Stacey Merritt Hord is the 2016/2017 Chair of the AHCA/NCAL Quality Improvement Committee and Vice President of Quality for Golden Living, the 3rd largest long term care provider in the country. Stacey is a health care executive with expertise in educating, deploying and sustaining Baldrige as a Business Model in post acute care and other sectors. Facilities under her operational oversight as an LNHA received AHCA Bronze and Silver recognition along with Alabama Level 1 Commitment to Excellence, Level 2 Progress Toward Excellence, and Level 3 Alabama Excellence recognition. Her faculty experience includes the AHCA/NCAL national convention, Alabama Quality Award Conference, AHCA Quality Symposium/Summit, Georgia Health Care Association Convention, and other venues. Stacey served on the panel of experts for the AL Quality Award Conference from 2004 - 2008 and has served as an AHCA Quality Award Examiner in multiple roles (Bronze, Silver, Silver Team Leader, Master Examiner) since 2002. She served as a member of the AHCA Quality Improvement Committee (QIC) and AHCA QAPI subcommittee from 2012- 2015. In addition, Stacey served as Chair of the 2015 QAPI Tools and Resources WorkGroup for the Quality Improvement Committee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the AHCA Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO)?
It is a specialized training for healthcare professionals who desire to serve as Infection Preventionists (IPs) as established in the CMS Reform of Requirements of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities (required by November 2019). Through this program, individuals will be specially trained to effectively implement and manage an Infection Prevention and Control Program in a nursing center.
Do you have to be an AHCA member to register for IPCO?
No. Both AHCA members and nonmembers are eligible to participate in the IPCO course.
How much does it cost to take the IPCO training?
Registration fee: $450 members, $650 nonmembers. Payment and registration is completed by individual participant in the IPCO product in ahcancalED.
How can an individual register and pay for IPCO?
The individual who wants to take the IPCO course must login to ahcancalED and register for the course under their individual login. Payment will be made in ahcancalED upon registration via credit card or E-check. Please be sure to have your credit card or banking information ready at checkout. Paying by credit card or E-check will grant automatic access to the course. Registrations for IPCO cannot be done by another person or under another person’s ahcancalED login.
-- for a better web experience, please use Google Chrome Internet Browser and NOT Internet Explorer.
How can an organization group register and pay for IPCO?
Group purchase is available for groups of 5 or more. AHCA offers the following discount structure for groups: 5-49 registrations will receive $25 off each registration. 50 or more registrations will receive $75 off each registration.
After full payment is made for group purchase of IPCO, the designated individuals who the IPCO registration payment was made for, will be provided with a unique group code for their group which will translate to $0 due upon registration (because full payment has already been received). One code will be provided for each group with a max allowance of times that the code can be used based on the group’s payment.
Each individual will need to login to the AHCA website to access ahcancalED and then complete their own registration using the group code.
Can I get a refund on the IPCO product if I no longer want to take the course?
No refunds are issued for IPCO.
Can my IPCO registration be transferred to a colleague?
IPCO registrations cannot be transferred. The individual that registers for the course is the only one that has access to it.
Who is eligible to take this training?
Anyone can take this training. The AHCA Infection Preventionist Specialized Training does not require a particular healthcare license.
AHCA/NCAL recommends that administrators also consider taking the course to gain a deeper understanding of infection prevention and control in the overall operation of the building. Just a reminder that administrators should not serve as designated Infection Preventionists unless they have separate formal advanced clinical training and/or licensing such as a nursing license.
Please note, there are specific requirements for the individual(s) who will serve as Infection Preventionist(s). CMS requirements for a designated Infection Preventionist state:
483.80 (b) Infection preventionist. The facility must designate one or more individual(s) as the infection preventionist(s) (IPs) who are responsible for the facility’s IPCP. The IP must:
(1) Have primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology, or other related field;
(2) Be qualified by education, training, experience or certification;
(3) Work at least part-time at the facility; and
(4) Have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.
What are the requirements to successfully complete IPCO?
Participate in each module and successfully complete quizzes throughout the course and final test (achieve at least 80% correct each time)
Modules 1-7 will have quizzes with 5 questions (4 of 5 questions must be accurately completed) except for module 3 which will have 10 questions (8 of 10 questions must be accurately completed).
The final test after Module 9 will have 20 questions (16 of 20 questions must be accurately completed)
Each module quiz may be attempted three times before the participant is required to repeat the module and then reattempt answering questions.
Complete course evaluation after each module and at the end of the course.
Course completion must occur within 12 months of the date the registrant starts the first required component of the program; which is the copyright agreement.(not registration date)
How long does it take on average to complete the IPCO course?
The learning time of all modules, review of additional resources, time to complete the modules and final course evaluations and quizzes/final test accounts for 24 hours and 30 minutes.
Participants are encouraged to spread out the course over time in an organized manner – such as scheduling module reviews on various dates/times when they can focus their attention to it. The course could be completed within a week or over several months based on how the individual would like to approach the program.
Are Contact Hours awarded for IPCO?
Yes, 24.5 ANCC contact hours and 24.5 continuing education hours (CEs) from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB) are available for completion of this program.
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by University of Nebraska Medical Center and American Health Care Association. University of Nebraska Medical Center is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
What does a participant get when they complete the IPCO course?
Participants receive three certificates at the completion of IPCO:
- UNMC CON CNE will provide a certificate awarding 24.5 contact hours to participants who successfully achieve the completion requirements.
- 24.5 continuing education hours (CEs) from the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)
- Specialized Training Completion certificate from AHCA, valid for 3 years.
How long do the certificates last?
The CE certificates do not expire. The Specialized Training Completion certificate expires after 3 years from issue date.
How can someone renew their IPCO certificate?
Renewal may occur by the options below:
Option 1: Registering for a competency exam requiring a grade of 80% or above to successfully receive certificate of renewal. This option is only available to individuals who have previously successfully completed the full IPCO course and are seeking renewal.
Option 2: Registering for the IPCO course and completing the course requirements as outlined above.
Is IPCO a certification?
No, IPCO is a specialized training program with a certificate upon successful completion. While it is not a certification, IPCO does meet both the content and intensity/duration of CMS requirements to serve as an Infection Preventionist.
Does IPCO meet CMS requirements?
Yes, IPCO meets the expectations CMS has outlined on the required components of the specialized training.
CMS is not endorsing any particular training, rather CMS is focused on the content and intensity/duration of what will meet the specialized training requirement. Based on information AHCA received from CMS, the IPCO training meets both the content and intensity/duration of CMS requirements.
Can I print the presentation slides and how can I access the resources within the module?
Each module contains a resource guide which includes a copy of the presentation and any necessary supporting documents discussed within the module. This resource guide can be found at the top right corner within each module.
I am having technical difficulties with IPCO, can you help?
Please email us at educate@ahca.org.
"What a great program! I was able to complete at my own pace and learned a lot." - Connie Francioli, RN,WCC, Director of Nursing, Odd Fellow & Rebekah Rehabilitation RHCC Inc.
"The AHCA IPCO program gave me the tools I needed to be effective in my role as the Infection Preventionist and to initiate an antibiotic stewardship program. The modules and website were easy to navigate and very convenient for my schedule. Thanks a bunch!"- Adriana Casale, BSN, RN, Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Roberts Health Centre
"I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I am a new to the Infection Prevention world and this engaging and interactive course provided an excellent foundation for me. I hope to use this as a stepping stone to advance the Infection Prevention culture within my facility and my community." - Daniel Mazzone, Associate Director of Nursing and Infection Preventionist at the Acadia Center for Nursing
"The IPCO training was intense but I gained the confidence to implement key initiatives in our facility, including antibiotic stewardship. I have a lot to learn but I know I can go back to the course and get the information I need with any situation that I am confronted with." - Karla Ruther, Clarence Senior Living Director of Nursing
"I really enjoyed the IPCO program. It is full of knowledge and information for any infection control program. I would like to see more infection control class with updates on organisms and new ROPs." - Helen Durden, RN, Education Coordinator, Eagle Health and Rehabilitation
"This course was a good blend of review, new information and practical tools for program improvement in both skilled and long term care settings. I would recommend for any nurse interested in Infection control and prevention." - Becci St Laurent | Senior Director of Education, Palm Healthcare Management, llc
"I am recommending it to our Corporate Team members here at Laurel Health Care. I know some Associate Team members at Ciena Heath Care have taken this training program, as well, and were very satisfied. It really enhances and clarifies so much Infection Control information. I feel much more confident with being and Infection Control practitioner." - Marlissa Corby, Corporate Compliance Officer, Laurel Health Care Company
How can an organization group register and pay for IPCO?
One user can purchase multiple registrations for other users by adding them to their cart during the checkout process; using the button displayed in image below. (This can only be done if all individuals have an ahcancalED account.) The price of the training will be based on each registrant’s member type (member or non-member).
*payment tip: please be sure when you are paying with a credit card the bill-to and shipping address are the same*
Group purchase is available for groups of 25 or more. If you are interested in group purchasing, please email educate@ahca.org
After full payment is made for group purchase, the designated individuals who the course registration payment was made for, will be provided with a unique group code for their group which will translate to $0 due upon registration (because full payment has already been received). One code will be provided for each group with a max allowance of times that the code can be used based on the group’s payment.
Each individual will need to login to the AHCA website to access ahcancalED and then complete their own registration using the group code.
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ONLY ACCEPT PAYMENT IN THE FORM OF A CHECK FOR GROUP PURCHASES.
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Register
- Non-member - $650
- Member - $450
- *Further discounts may apply once you log in.
- More Information
Is it time to renew your AHCA Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) certificate?
Renew AHCA IPCO Certificate Here
The IPCO Renewal Exam is open to AHCA/NCAL members for $200 and non-members for $450.
We Have Courses to Support You in Successful Infection Control Management.
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The IPCO Renewal Exam is open to AHCA/NCAL members for $200 and non-members for $450.
Attention IPCO attendee, your IPCO certificate is about to expire. To keep your certificate active, you need to take timely action steps to renew. There are two options for renewal:
- Register here to complete the competency renewal exam. You must receive at least an 80% or above to successfully receive the renewal certificate, valid for 3 years. You will have three attempts to complete the exam. Note, this option is only available to individuals who have previously successfully completed the full IPCO course and are seeking renewal.
- If you do not successfully complete the renewal exam, you will be able to register for and take the IPCO training course.
- Register to take the IPCO training course. Register Here
Cost: The renewal is open to AHCA/NCAL members for $200 and non-members for $450.
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Register
- Non-member - $450
- Member - $200
- *Further discounts may apply once you log in.
- More Information
- Register here to complete the competency renewal exam. You must receive at least an 80% or above to successfully receive the renewal certificate, valid for 3 years. You will have three attempts to complete the exam. Note, this option is only available to individuals who have previously successfully completed the full IPCO course and are seeking renewal.
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Includes Credits
The shift coach training was created to assist nursing home leadership learn how to achieve widespread consistent use of infection prevention and control practices. The training is appropriate for facility leadership, infection preventionists, unit supervisors, and department leads. This free training is available to AHCA/NCAL members and non-members thanks to a CDC Project Firstline grant award 6 NU50CK000582-04-01.
The shift coach training was created to assist nursing home leadership learn how to achieve widespread consistent use of infection prevention and control practices. Particular highlights of the training include how to engage all long-term care facility staff in infection control practices. The training builds on the body of evidence that supports how leadership can implement a safety of culture that results in high reliability in health care that leads to consistent use of infection prevention and control practices by long term care staff through engaging in a just-in-time peer coaching process. This shift coach training curriculum provides short modules to breakdown a large topic into manageable pieces. The training is appropriate for facility leadership, infection preventionists, unit supervisors, and department leads.
After attending this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe what a shift coach is and their relationship to the infection preventionist and infection prevention and control improvement process
- Identify characteristics if a shift coach
- Implement shift coaches and huddles into everyday practice
- Discuss how to sustain a shift coach program for infection prevention and control improvement efforts
The training is appropriate for facility leadership, infection preventionists, unit supervisors, and department leads.
This free training is available to AHCA/NCAL members and non-members thanks to a CDC Project Firstline grant award 6 NU50CK000582-04-01.
Credits Available Upon Completion: 2 contact hours nurse credits through the Iowa Board of Nursing are available upon course completion.
Instructions to Register:
- To avoid technical problems, use Google Chrome.
- Members will need to log in using their existing email and password first.
- Once you are logged in to the website you will be able to register by clicking the green register button at the top of the page.
- If you have forgotten your password click here.
- If you are new to the site, you can create an account here. Answer all fields on the create an account page- especially locating your company name. You can search by name or zip code.
- After creating an account, you will be logged in and able to register.
- Click register and complete registration now. You will be directed to your cart to answer two questions in the checkout process. Access is free however, the answers to the questions are required before confirming registration.
Instructions to Begin, after registering:
- To begin the training, click on the Course Contents tab.
- Participants can move throughout the course by clicking on the header of each module to expand or minimize their view.
- Participants must take and pass the final test to complete the course for CEs.
Email educate@ahca.org if you need assistance.
© 2025 American Health Care Association. All rights reserved. The Shift Coach Program materials subject to this copyright may be photocopied or distributed for the purpose of nonprofit or educational advancement. The use, photocopying, and distribution for commercial purposes of any of these materials is expressly prohibited without the prior written permission of the American Health Care Association.
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Register
- Non-member - Free!
- Member - Free!
- More Information
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This pressure injury prevention and wound management webinar is presented by Jeanine Maguire, a wound consultant and educator with almost 3 decades of wound care focus and expertise. In this webinar, Jeanine emphasizes a patient-centric approach and the importance of routine and comprehensive risk assessment and skin checks. She discusses the challenges of Deep Tissue Injury and the controversy over whether pressure injuries are a result of end-of-life or a combination of factors. Jeanine highlighted the need for accurate documentation and understanding of medically unavoidable wounds. She also stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, ongoing monitoring, and communication. Lastly, Jeanine provides links to CMS F tag 686, the critical element pathway, PAWSIC (the Wound Provider Group checklist), and NPIAP for further reference. *Note that some information shared will change with the RAI updates in October, but the presentation discusses how to prepare for those changes. Registration is free to AHCA/NCAL Members | $65 Non-members
This pressure injury prevention and wound management webinar is presented by Jeanine Maguire, a wound consultant and educator with almost 3 decades of wound care focus and expertise. In this webinar, Jeanine emphasizes a patient-centric approach and the importance of routine and comprehensive risk assessment and skin checks. She discusses the challenges of Deep Tissue Injury and the controversy over whether pressure injuries are a result of end-of-life or a combination of factors. Jeanine highlighted the need for accurate documentation and understanding of medically unavoidable wounds. She also stresses the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach, ongoing monitoring, and communication. Lastly, Jeanine provides links to CMS F tag 686, the critical element pathway, PAWSIC (the Wound Provider Group checklist), and NPIAP for further reference. *Note that some information shared will change with the RAI updates in October, but the presentation discusses how to prepare for those changes.
Speaker:
Jeanine Maguire, PhD, MPT, CWS, SeekingWhole, Wound Education and Consulting. PAWSIC.org
Registration is free to AHCA/NCAL Members | $65 Non-members
Follow the Instructions Below to Register:
- To avoid technical problems, use Google Chrome.
- Members will need to log in using their existing email and password first.
- Once you are logged in to the website you will be able to register by clicking the green register button at the top of the page.
- If you have forgotten your password click here.
- If you are new to the site, you can create an account here. Answer all fields on the create an account page- especially locating your company name. You can search by name or zip code. After creating an account, you will be able to register.
Email educate@ahca.org if you need assistance.
.jpg "Speaker image")
Jeanine Maguire, PhD, MPT, CWS
Seekingwhole, LLC
PAWSIC.org
Jeanine provides consulting services to healthcare organizations focused on healthcare management, clinical operations, and quality improvement.
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Register
- Non-member - $65
- Member - Free!
- *Further discounts may apply once you log in.
- More Information
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Assisted living providers strive to provide residents with the best quality of life, service, and care. That takes a keen focus on continuous quality improvement including data collection and evaluation that drives system improvement processes. This session is aimed at improving resident and staff outcomes by understanding data collection and analysis, continuous systems improvement, and how to embark on a quality journey that nets results. $25 NCAL members | $65 Non-members
COVID-19 shed a spotlight on the need to improve infection prevention and control (IPC) programs in long term care. With emerging communicable diseases, including multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs), it is important for assisted living team members to understand standard, contact, and airborne precautions. This session reviews what an effective assisted living IPC program should include, the role quality improvement plays in assisted living IPC, the importance of understanding IPC precautions, and identifies the key stakeholders to engage in an IPC program.
Objectives: After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Describe the significance of infections.
- Explain the chain of infection and how infection spreads.
- Discuss how to prevent the spread of infections.
- Identify elements to include in a written infection prevention and control program.
- Recognize themes and underlying causes of deficient infection prevention and control practices.
Speaker: Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/Ed, C-AL, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, CDP
Audience: All in assisted living
Length: 35 minutes
A certificate of completion is available (no CEs) upon successful completion
Cost:
$25 NCAL members
$65 Non-members
Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/Ed, RN, C-CNL, C-AL, DNS-CT, QCP, RAC-CT, CDP (Moderator)
Director of Quality Improvement, AHCA/NCAL
NCAL
Pamela Truscott, DNP/HSL, MSN/Ed, RN, DNS-CT, QCP is the Director of Quality Improvement with the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL). She joined the AHCA/NCAL family in June 2019 and has been actively involved with a variety of education, tools and resources such as: trauma-informed care, behavioral health, functional outcomes improvement, and infection prevention and control. Prior to joining AHCA, Pam worked for the Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA) as the Vice President of Professional Development for seven years and is a Nebraska Assisted LIving Administrator. Before joining the NHCA team, she worked in a rural nursing home with attached assisted living community for 15 years in a variety of roles, including: charge nurse, wound nurse, medication aide, and direct care staff member. She is an active member in the American Nurses Association as well as the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nurses. She received a Doctor of Nursing Practice with specialy focus in Healthcare Systems Leadership and Master of Science in Nursing with focus in nursing education degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Pam has over 20 years of long-term care experience and shares a passion for growing education and cultivating new leaders in long-term care.
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Register
- Non-member - $65
- Member - $25
- *Further discounts may apply once you log in.
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The water management course will provide post-acute and long-term care facilities with information on what a water management plan is, how to identify the elements of an effective water management program, and how to develop and maintain a comprehensive water management program in your facility. Registration is free to AHCA/NCAL members.
Post-acute and long-term care facilities provide care and services to vulnerable populations who may become critically ill when steps are not taken to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases. Healthcare facilities are integral to the health and well-being of the communities and residents they serve. In order to maintain daily operations and care services, healthcare facilities need to develop an effective water management plan to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a total or partial interruption of the facility’s normal water supply. The water management course will provide post-acute and long-term care facilities with information on what a water management plan is, how to identify the elements of an effective water management program, and how to develop and maintain a comprehensive water management program in your facility.
Audience: appropriate for both NF, as is required by regulation, and as best practices for AL.
Module Outcomes:
- Describe what a water management plan is.
- Identify elements of an effective water management program.
- Discuss how to develop and maintain a comprehensive water management program for your facility.
Registration is free to AHCA/NCAL members.
© 2022 American Health Care Association. All rights reserved.
All Water Management Training materials subject to this copyright may be photocopied or distributed for the purpose of nonprofit or educational advancement. The use, photocopying, and distribution for commercial purposes of any of these materials is expressly prohibited without the prior written permission of American Health Care Association.
Pamela Truscott, MSN, RN, DNS-CT, QCP
Director, Clinical and Regulatory Services
American Health Care Association
Pamela Truscott, MSN, RN, DNS-CT, QCP is the Director, Clinical and Regulatory Services with the American Health Care Association (AHCA). She joined the AHCA family in June 2019 and has been actively involved with a variety of education, tools, and resources such as: trauma-informed care, behavioral health, functional outcomes improvement, and infection prevention and control. Prior to joining AHCA, Pam worked for the Nebraska Health Care Association as the Vice President of Professional Development for seven years. She is an active member of the American Nurses Association as well as the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nurses. Pam has over 20 years of long-term care experience and shares a passion for growing education and cultivating new leaders in long-term care.
Linda Behan, BSN, RN, CWCN, CIC
Senior Director of Infection Prevention and Control
Genesis HealthCare
Linda Behan BSN, RN, CIC is the Corporate Senior Director of Infection Prevention and Control for Genesis HealthCare. Linda has been certified in infection prevention and control for over 10 years. She leads a team of Infection Preventionists in developing policies and procedures as well as developing and delivering education across the company. Linda serves on the APIC Professional Development Committee and frequently presents at healthcare and professional organization conferences.
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