COVID-19 UPDATE #41
June 6, 2020
DOH AND RCS PROVIDE FAQ FOR AL WITH MEMORY CARE UNITS AND SNFs REGARDING TESTING REQUIREMENTS
Today, Residential Care Services (RCS) and the Department of Health posted a Frequently Asked Questions document to help provide answers and information to assisted living facilities with memory care units and skilled nursing centers that must complete COVID-19 testing of all residents and staff. The document includes questions in the following segments:
  • General Questions
  • Deadline Questions
  • Scope of Testing Questions
  • Consent and Refusal Questions
  • Specimen Collection Supply and Resource Questions
  • Specimen Shipping Questions
  • Test Order and Result Questions
  • Quarantine and Handling Positive Result Questions
  • Retesting Questions
 
Candace Goehring, Director of RCS, has informed WHCA that they plan to continue reviewing information and questions they receive and will update the document as needed. Their next review meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 8. There may be updated information available next Tuesday. We will keep members informed of any updated information we receive.
ALTSA COVID-19 RESPONSE WEBINAR TO BE OFFERED JUNE 22
For the last two months, the Aging and Long Term Support Administration (ALTSA) has hosted webinars to discuss what ALTSA has done in response to COVID-19. ALTSA compiled Q&A documents for the webinars. The April 16 webinar covered FMAP, PPE, training and certification requirements, COVID-19 testing requirements, and nurse delegation. The May 15 webinar covered visitation policy, end-of-life circumstances, COVID-19 testing protocol, and adjustments to HCS service delivery.
 
There will be a webinar on June 22, 2020, at 1 PM to continue the discussion on ALTSA’s response efforts related to COVID-19. Assistant Secretary Bill Moss will be joined by Director Bea Rector to discuss the status of action items by Home and Community Based Services. Director Candace Goehring will be providing updates on actions taken by Residential Care Services. Director Deborah O’Willow will provide information related to the Office of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. There will be time for Q&A on the webinar. Participation is limited to the first 1,000 attendees. Register today.
MASS TESTING IN WA NURSING HOMES: How will we respond to the results?
Washington State’s goal is to complete mass testing for COVID-19 in nursing homes and assisted living communities with memory care units by June 12, 2020. Likely, we will be confronted with positive test results of both residents and staff and have to be ready to respond rapidly to those results. What are the best practices now? Join the Washington Society for Post-Acute Long Term Care Medicine panel of experts to learn more in a webinar to be held Wednesday, June 10, at 6 PM. Register now.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website . If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.