Education | Events

AHCA Virtual Life Safety Joint Training for Nursing Homes

April 1-22, 2022

Life Safety (LS) code compliance and survey preparation are a crucial part of the health and well-being of skilled nursing center residents and staff. For 2022, the AHCA Virtual Life Safety Joint Training for Nursing Homes will provide a full six hours of on-demand training sessions with Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) representatives and subject matter experts, focusing on planning, anticipating issues, and achieving successful surveys.

Eddie Alday, Life Safety Code Lead for the AHCA Bureau of Field Operations, together with other Field Operations staff, have designed the content of this training to provide administrators, maintenance and operations staff with a comprehensive review of current state and federal LS Code requirements. Presenters will also address step-by-step preparations for a LS survey, discuss the most common causes of the top LS citations for skilled nursing centers, and clarify several issues identified in recent surveys and how to resolve them. The program will also highlight meeting the NFPA 99 and Chapter 13 Security Management Program and Security Vulnerability Assessment requirements, along with a special presentation to review the significant Code changes for 2021.

Download the event brochure.

Learner Objectives

List the step-by-step preparations Life Safety surveyors follow and what actions and practices centers can incorporate to be fully prepared for receiving a survey.
Identify the top five commonly cited life safety tags (K-tags) and federal emergency preparedness tags (E-tags), describe the typical causes, and explain how to address these issues.
Describe strategies for maintaining and enhancing the CEMP for both state and federal requirements, working with local authorities, and evaluating the Emergency Environmental Control Plan (Generator Plan) to meet planning requirements.
Discuss the revisions to the Florida Building Code 7th edition and distinguish how the changes have impacted testing, inspections, and compliance.
Explain the NFPA 99 Chapter 13 Security Management requirement and how to evaluate plans and complete the security vulnerability assessment.
Examine the components of a comprehensive Water Management Plan and the inclusion of Legionella testing as part of the required Infection Control policy per CMS.

On-demand Training: How It Works

Delivered over 7, on-demand video sessions. Each video session is followed by a post-session quiz (6 hours total).
Training Dates: On-demand video sessions and quizzes must be accessed and completed between April 1 - April 22 at 4:00 p.m. EST to receive CEUs.
Live Q&A Session: Join the panel of speakers for a virtual Q&A session scheduled for April 21 from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. EST to ask your questions live.
Training Materials: 7 on-demand video sessions; post-session quizzes; handout materials
Continuing Education Credits: FHCA will post contact hours to CE Broker by April 29, 2022. Participants must have completed the 6 hours of video sessions/quizzes by April 22 at 4 p.m. EST to receive CEUs.

Event Agenda

1 hour

Session #1 - Life Safety Survey Readiness – Step-by-Step Prep

George Gay, Fire Protection Specialist, and Eddie Alday, Life Safety Code Lead, both with AHCA
This session will break down the steps that surveyors take in preparing for Life Safety Surveys and the requirements that will be evaluated. It will also cover the recommended preparations for before, during and after a survey that skilled nursing centers can incorporate to support effective staff participation, efficient survey process, and achieving optimal preparation for successful survey outcomes.

1 hour

Session #2 - All About Emergency Preparedness Compliance

Laura Jensen, Government Analyst II, AHCA
Attendees will receive an overview of the Emergency Preparedness regulations, both state and federal, with emphasis on preparing for CEMP approval, Emergency Environmental Control plan requirements (FAC 59A-4.1265) and working with local authorities having jurisdiction. This session aims to answer common questions and explain in more detail preparations centers can make for the best health outcomes in an emergency.

1 hour

Session #3 - Evaluating Your Security Plan and Security Vulnerability Assessment

Eddie Alday, Life Safety Code Lead, AHCA
To help clarify the necessary compliance with Health Care Facilities Code NFPA 99 and the Florida requirements of Chapter 13 specific to K-tag, 1150 - Security Management (NFPA 99 2015 edition), this session will review the fundamental components of the Security Management Plan and completing the Security Vulnerability Assessment to benefit a centers overall safety planning.

.5 hour

Session #4 - Top 5 Most Cited Life Safety Tags - Address Causes Now

Eddie Alday, Life Safety Code Lead, AHCA
Attendees will learn the most current commonly cited Life Safety tags (K tags) statistics and review the causes that can bring a citation. This session will also clarify what is covered under any current waivers in place, walk through the process of identifying a citation, actions and timeline for corrections, and what to do in the event circumstances prevent timely compliance.

1 hour

Session #5 - Decoding the Code - Revisit the 2021 Changes

Skip Gregory, AIA, NCARB, Health Facility Consulting, LLC
This session will reexamine and highlight the important changes to the Florida Building Code for 2021, with discussion focused on the impact on inspections, testing and maintenance. For Plant Management who have experienced turnover, this session aims to acclimate newer staff and refresh existing staff to understand the changes and needed preparation for compliance and successful life safety surveys.

0.5 hour

Session #6 - Survey Hot Topics - What you need to know

John Altherr, Life Safety Lead, AHCA
To help educate attendees on the most recent issues identified during survey, this session will highlight issues and the lessons learned to better prepare centers for potential missteps. Included are recent code changes for tamper switches, determining required water flow testing intervals under 7.3.1 and 7.3.2, NFPA 25, 2017 Ed. and connecting with authority having jurisdiction to proactively address their required inspections and approvals.

1 hour

Session #7 - Water Management and Legionella Testing for Infection Control

Mary Maloney, Government Analyst II, AHCA and DOH Representative
Effective water management programs are mandated for skilled nursing centers by CMS. To maintain daily operations and care services, centers must develop an effective water management plan to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a total or partial interruption of the centers normal water supply. This session will discuss maintaining an effective water management program and also address testing for Legionella as a required part of a center’s Infection Control policy and to include in plans.

0.5 hour