Independent Owner Leadership Conference

Following the reports this week that COVID-19 is spreading in some communities and has impacted a nursing facility in Washington state, we feel it is necessary for AHCA/NCAL to cancel the 2020 Quality Summit and Independent Owner Conference next week (March 9-13) in Grapevine, Texas.  

After carefully evaluating this situation, we have no doubt that this decision is in the best interest of our residents and our caregivers. Traveling across the country to attend a conference could slightly increase the risk that professionals who work in our long term care centers every day may become infected. We know that the frail and elderly residents in our care are the most vulnerable to this virus and we need to do everything we can to minimize every risk, no matter how small. We simply cannot take any action that puts our residents, our staff and their families at a higher risk for illness. The safety and well-being of our residents and staff comes first.  

We also hear from our members that they have a singular focus on the steps they need to take to provide high quality care during this time: preparing our staff and buildings, following strict infection prevention and control procedures, reassuring our residents and communicating with families. We also know that many of our members are struggling to fill supplies of masks and other protective equipment. Cancelling our meetings next week ensures our focus is where it should be—with our residents.  

We will continue to provide educational materials, tools and other resources as well as regular updates about COVID-19. You can find daily updates on our website at www.ahcancal.org/coronavirus.   

Registered attendees of the Quality Summit and Independent Owner Leadership Conference will be issued a registration refund by Monday, March 9, 2020. Once the refund is processed, you will receive an email notification.