Volume XXX, Number 4,
 April 2015

THCA opposes bill allowing guns in nursing homes

A proposal to require nursing home providers to allow guns in their facilities was heard in the House Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.

THCA Director of Clinical and Quality Services Gloria Bean-Williams, RN, testified in opposition to the bill on behalf of the association. She told the committee that “allowing the carrying of handguns into nursing homes would create a significant level of additional risk and potentially compromise the ability of providers to prevent both unintentional and calculated acts that could harm residents and staff.”

The legislation, HB 308, would also allow guns to be carried in hospitals, churches and amusement parks. It was left pending following the testimony.

CLICK HERE  to see HB 308.

President’s Report

• Budgets are moving……collective voices must be heard

Legislative Update

• State budget on the move in both chambers

• Compromise on three strikes bill moves out of the Senate

• THCA opposes bill allowing guns in nursing homes

• THCA members lobby legislators for long term care

Commitment to Care

• Commitment to Care update

State News

• THCA analysis of survey activity and deficiencies – 1st Quarter FY 2015

• “All aboard the T.R.A.I.N.” – Strategies to stay on track managing antipsychotic (AP) drug usage webinar slated for May 8th

• Activity Professional award winners being recognized at the THCA Spring Conference

• Distribution of resident days by RUG level

Federal News

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) MDS focused dementia care surveys

• AHCA issues guidance on Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) delay

• Emergency preparedness guide for Assisted Living communities

Announcements & Recognitions

• National Nursing Home Week, May 10 – 15, 2015 – “BRING ON THE FIESTA!”

• THCA welcomes our newest facility members

• THCA facility contact information sheet

• THCA Facebook & Twitter pages

THCAPAC

• THCAPAC “500 Club”

• THCAPAC Spring golf tournament

• PAC special for Administrators & AL Managers at THCAPAC Spring golf tournament

Region News

• “A few thoughts from the business community”

• Donate items for our 2015 Spring fundraising silent auction

• Region meetings this month

• THCA contact information sheet

Education

• THCA Spring Conference and Resource Fair April 20-22, 2015 – Omni Barton Creek Conference Center
  Austin, Texas

• Attention Nurses!  2015 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

• Attention Activity Directors! 2015 Spring Conference & Resource Fair

• THCA 65th Annual Convention and Trade Show – “65: Commitment & Devotion” – September 21-24, 2015 – The Gaylord Texas – Grapevine, Texas – SAVE THE DATE

• DADS and DSHS conference: Infection Control in Long-term Care 2015

If you have suggestions for education sessions or questions about THCA education, please contact Sue Wilson at the THCA office swilson@txhca.org.

Calendar

• April 2015

• May 2015