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Please accept my apology.� I just posted an email to the list serve that was supposed to go somewhere else.� Sorry!!!!
Brenda W. Chance, RN, RAC-C MDS Coordinator
CONFIDENTIALITY
NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, -----Original Message-----
STATE COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE REPORT������� Fl����� 2/6/04
. � A very large number of bills are already being proposed for the 2004 session and the committee has, so far, selected only three to focus and comment on: 1. SB 492 / HB 189 -� creates "Certified Geriatric Specialists". Pilot study in two Gold Seal nursing homes that would allow C.N.A.'s to attain this specialist certification.� After completing training, aides in those two facilities would be allowed to administer medications and treatments to residents, and would also be counted as licensed nurses for purposes of meeting minimum nursing staff criteria.� A steering committee would be created to guide and provide oversight of the study. 2. SB 1558 (no companion House bill yet)� -� would allow some nursing home staffing changes. 3. HB 267 / SB 1062 - would allow alternative bed uses in nursing homes & also includes some other health care facility related changes.
� There are two additional bills the committee will soon be examining (before the 2004 session begins in March).� However, we don't know much about these bills yet, so no decision has been made whether to recommend any changes: 1. SB 1226 (no companion in House yet)� -� related to Long-Term Care Service Delivery Systems (DOEA's top priority bill to study) 2. "Florida Caregiver Institute Act" (has no bill# yet)� -� related to development of caregiving as a nonlicensed paraprofessional activity
� Regarding the first three bills already mentioned, the committee approved some recommended changes to the bills and/or listed some concerns about these bills, as follows:
1. SB 492/HB 189 (Pilot Study on Certified Geriatric Specialists) �� COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: The education program should be standardized and approved by the Board of Nursing.� Page 4, Section 2.� It should be made clear who makes up the training faculty (e.g., facility staff or independent trainers).� Page 4, Section 2(4), lines 23-25. Strike all references to ALFs (the words "Part III") throughout the entire document because in ALFs there would usually be no licensed nurse to supervise the Geriatric Specialists. Clarify the meaning of "under the direction of" a registered nurse….� Page 7, Section 6, line 19. Strike section that says "based on the individual's educational preparation and experience in performing certified geriatric specialty nursing" and replace with the words "based on training, education, and professional care standards".� Page 8, lines 3 - 5.� Change the word "board", to instead read "Board of Nursing" (so it's clear which board is referenced).� Page 8, lines 17, 26, & 29. Strike the words "has the ability to communicate in the English language, which may be determined by an examination given by the department" and replace with "demonstrates the ability to comprehend and communicate in written and oral English language".� Page 9, lines 1-3. Strike the words "for purposes of computing nursing staffing minimums and ratios, certified geriatric specialists shall be considered licensed nursing staff".� Page 14, Section 10, lines 27-29.
��������� �� CONCERNS: When a C.N.A. enters the Geriatric Specialist Training, who would then do the work of that person in the facility? If a licensed nurse is supervising a Geriatric Specialist in training, who covers the responsibility of the licensed nurse? Where is the funding coming from for this program and how much will it cost? Who, specifically, will be teaching the training courses? Who, specifically, will be supervising these specialists while in training?
��������� RATIONALE FOR CHANGES/CONCERNS:� These Certified Geriatric Specialists are NOT licensed nursing staff and, if considered as such, it would decrease the quality of care that residents are entitled to, and that they expect. Sincerely, |
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