Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Awards HMS Contract to Conduct COVID-19 Infection Control Surveys at All Long-Term Care Facilities in the State

HMS Shares Kansas’ Commitment to Rapidly Surveying and Preventing Spread of Virus in Nursing Homes

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) has awarded Healthcare Management Solutions, LLC (HMS) a contract to help conduct urgent infection prevention and control surveys in every long-term care facility in the state of Kansas. These surveys are critically important to protecting the lives of facility residents and staff from contracting and spreading the virus.

The Kansas Legislature recently passed a bill which requires all long-term care facilities to complete COVID-19 focused surveys for infection control in accordance with the standards and guidelines provided by the federal Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by July 31, 2020, in order to maintain full FY 2021 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocations. HMS will support the state of Kansas in completing these critical infection control surveys in all long-term care facilities across the state.

“We believe partnering with HMS will allow us to better manage the critically important workload our surveyors have been tackling since March,” said Laura Howard, KDADS Acting Secretary. “They have a good reputation for helping state survey agencies ensure facilities are in compliance and we’re certain they can assist us as we continue working to ensure nursing facility residents receive safe, quality care.”

HMS’ qualified surveyors will act as front-line safety inspectors for nursing home residents. The role of the surveyor is more important than ever, because they act not only as the eyes and ears of the health and safety agency, but also in place of loved ones who are unable to visit or check up on residents during this uncertain time.

“People’s lives are at risk. Every minute spent inspecting these facilities can make the difference between life and death for the vulnerable people living in them,” says Leah Heimbach, president & owner of HMS. “It only takes one interaction to pass the virus from one person to the next, which is why it’s so crucial that qualified surveyors are assessing how infection control is being managed in these facilities.”

Each of the surveys will include a comprehensive assessment of the following:

• The overall effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP), including IPCP policies and procedures
• Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions
• Quality of resident care practices, including for those who have tested positive for COVID-19
• The surveillance plan
• Visitor entry and facility screening practices
• Education, monitoring, and screening practices of staff
• Facility policies and procedures to address staffing issues during emergencies

When asked, HMS will also investigate complaints of possible instances of abuse, neglect and exploitation, and conduct follow-up inspections to positive cases of COVID-19.

“The safety of nursing home residents and staff is our top priority,” says Heimbach. “We are honored to have been awarded this contract and are committed to doing everything possible to support KDADS in protecting vulnerable populations from COVID-19.”

HMS has collaborated with KDADS and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in previous contracts to provide critical services to vulnerable populations.

About Healthcare Management Solutions, LLC
HMS protects vulnerable populations and veterans. We blend our unique healthcare and technology expertise to create bold yet cost-effective solutions that federal and state agencies and our private-sector partners need to make sure your loved ones get the best possible care in nursing homes and other healthcare settings, no matter where in America they live.