CHUG Team

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, CHUG extends heartfelt gratitude to our members, our staff, and our partners who dedicate their time and expertise to keeping our communities safe and resilient.

We are thankful for the collaboration, commitment, and compassion that define our members and make our mission possible.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and peaceful Thanksgiving filled with appreciation and connection.

Thank you for all you do from the CHUG team!

11/24/2025

CHUG’s Emergency Tip Sheets offer clear, practical guidance for healthcare teams facing severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies.

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑏𝑒 𝑢𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠:
✔️An internal resource to train and support staff

✔️Part of your admissions process to reassure new residents and families, and

✔️A key component of your Emergency Operations Plan.

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: https://www.chugteam.org/safety-and-emergency-tip-sheets

11/20/2025

Hospice providers are expanding beyond traditional end-of-life care to stay ahead of industry changes, and palliative care, home-based primary care, and new value-based service models are leading the way.

In our latest blog, “Hospice Providers See New Opportunities to Diversify Services,” we explore how diversification can strengthen referral streams, improve patient outcomes, and build long-term sustainability, while managing the staffing, costs, and education risks.

Read the full blog here: chugteam.org/resources/hospice-service-diversification-trends-2025

11/18/2025

Winter weather brings more than just cold temperatures.

For healthcare facilities, the stakes are high, and that can test even the most prepared teams.

From power outages and limited staff availability to supply chain disruptions and patient surges, the season demands proactive planning and coordination.

At CHUG, we help healthcare organizations stay ready through:
✅ Tabletop and full-scale exercises that test real-world response
✅ Mutual aid partnerships for evacuation and resource sharing
✅ Workshops to strengthen Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and CMS compliance

A snowstorm shouldn’t become a crisis. The right preparation keeps your facility safe, compliant, and resilient even in harsh weather conditions.

Learn more about how CHUG supports healthcare organizations year-round at chugteam.org

11/14/2025

Non-compliance with CMS Emergency Preparedness requirements can cost more than fines. The scary part is, it can lead to lost accreditation, put funding in jeopardy, and pose even greater risk to patients and staff.

CHUG helps healthcare organizations go beyond checklists to achieve true facility-specific readiness through training, plan development, and compliance support.

Become a member and protect your people, operations, and reputation: https://www.chugteam.org/become-a-member

11/07/2025

From record heatwaves to flash floods, healthcare organizations are facing growing challenges that test their ability to stay operational and safe.

In CHUG’s latest blog post, “Unexpected Weather is Reshaping Emergency Preparedness in Hospitals,” we explore how hospitals can strengthen response plans, protect patients, and maintain critical operations in the face of unpredictable conditions.

Read the full post here: https://www.chugteam.org/resources/hospital-emergency-preparedness-extreme-weather

11/04/2025

It’s Budget Season. Don’t Overlook Emergency Preparedness.

As healthcare organizations plan budgets for the upcoming year, now is the perfect time to make sure emergency preparedness is prioritized.

Investing in preparedness is not just a compliance checkbox. It is an investment in longevity.

From training and exercises to communication systems and supplies, the right funding today can mean the difference between chaos and control when emergencies strike.

CHUG helps member facilities identify preparedness gaps and develop realistic, cost-effective plans to keep patients and staff safe no matter what challenges arise.
• Incorporate preparedness into your 2026 budget now.
• Strengthen your team’s response capabilities.
• Protect what matters most.

Learn more about how CHUG supports healthcare facilities when it matters most, visit CHUGteam.org.

10/31/2025

What’s scarier than ghosts and goblins? 👻

The citations that come with non-compliance. 💸

Healthcare organizations can’t afford to be unprepared when emergencies strike. CHUG helps members strengthen their plans, train their teams, and protect patients and staff before it’s too late.

Don’t get caught off guard. Get prepared for the unexpected with CHUG: CHUGteam.org

10/28/2025

If you're in healthcare, you HAVE to be prepared because lives literally depend on it.

CHUG’s Emergency Tip Sheets offer clear, practical guidance for healthcare teams facing severe weather, power outages, or other emergencies.

These can be used as:
• An internal resource to train and support staff
• Part of your admissions process to reassure new residents and families, and
• A key component of your Emergency Operations Plan.

Download the full bundle today to strengthen readiness across your organization. https://www.chugteam.org/safety-and-emergency-tip-sheets

10/23/2025

When you become a CHUG member, you become part of a community that cares.

“I truly do not know how our facility, or any others, could do without your organization. I am making sure that our sister facilities become members too.” – Administrator, Bridgeway Senior Living

Become a member today at CHUGteam.org/become-a-member

10/22/2025

This November, CHUG is focusing on fire preparedness for Assisted Living and Independent Living Facilities.

Join us to strengthen your team’s readiness:

Nov 5: Fire Workshop (10:00–11:30 AM CST)
Nov 12: Fire Tabletop Exercise (10:00–12:00 PM CST)
Nov 26: Fire Full-Scale Exercise (10:00–1:00 PM CST)

These events are exclusively for CHUG members and provide hands-on learning, real-world scenarios, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.

Ready to protect your facility, staff, and residents? Learn more about membership at chugteam.org/become-a-member.

10/20/2025

"Considering that most states and the federal government provide half or less of the cost of care in Medicaid-assisted living waiver reimbursement is the driving factor in why the vast majority of assisted living providers are unable to participate in these programs,” said Argentum Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Maggie Elehwany.

https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/proposed-hcbs-data-requirements-will-create-undue-burdens-on-assisted-living-providers-industry-advocates-say/

Additional data collection requirements for the HCBS workforce would create burdens for assisted living providers, industry experts say.