Coronavirus Update #149
HFAM Update on MDH Orders, Testing, and More
Friends:

I don’t want ever to lose sight of what is important: the quality care that you and our teams are providing to Marylanders most need. Thank you. The truth is that more lives are being saved than lost in skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living campuses, and in senior housing across Maryland. Together, long-term care healthcare heroes will continue fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic into the known future. Please review the important updates below from MDH and on testing.


MDH Amended Order on Healthcare Matters and SNF/AL Notice

Late yesterday evening, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released a revised healthcare matters order and notice to SNFs and ALs. In addition, they shared a CRISP "how-to" guide.


  • In addition to those individuals already authorized to collect COVID-19 specimens for testing, any individual licensed, registered, or certified by MDH or a MD health occupations board who has appropriate training may collect COVID-19 test specimens. (page 3)

  • COVID-19 point of care testing platforms (6) are authorized to perform COVID-19 test analysis, provided (1) that the facility is a CLIA-certified lab, and (2) the appropriate certificate of waiver is obtained from OHCQ. (pages 3-4)

  • POC results must be reported to MDH (along with technical changes to the COVID-19 test results reporting section, pages 4-5)



  • Provides guidance for nursing home and large assisted living program alternate test plans

We are continuing to review these documents Please note that the new piece seems to be that POC tests will be permitted in our sector, as an alternate testing method, as long as you have zero cases. Also that ANY licensed entity in MD can collect samples and run a POC machine (for example, a podiatrist).For reference, here is the CMS POC distribution list for Maryland.


More on Testing

It is vitally important you keep up with the testing being provided by the State through August 15. Per the most recent Amended Nursing Home Order and Amended Assisted Living Order, both SNFs and ALs (note: ALs with 50 or more beds) must establish testing arrangements with laboratories and provide plans for continued weekly staff testing to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) for approval by August 14. Alternatively, each center may submit a clinically rigorous alternative testing regiment for review and approval by MDH. As a reminder, centers may email ongoing testing plans to mdh.covidlabresults@maryland.gov.

Per the August 3 letter from MDH, the department has negotiated a discounted price with the University of Maryland Pathology Associates (UMPA) lab for COVID-19 specimen processing for nursing homes. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact UMPA representative, Kristie Johnson, at jkjohnson@som.umaryland.edu or 443-956-4916. More recently we were told to email MDTESTING@som.umaryland.edu

Centers may use this State-provided resource, or another resource of their choosing after August 15. Again, all centers must submit evidence that they have secured COVID-19 testing capacity and/or submit alternative testing plans no later than August 14. 

While we very much appreciate the State for offering testing through UMPA for a fee of $40 per test to Maryland skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, we are concerned about and will continue to monitor execution of ongoing testing and actionable COVID-19 results in 24-48 hours from the State or any lab. Again, the State lab has set-up an email system via MDTESTING@som.umaryland.edu


Media Articles

  • CLICK HERE for the Washington Post article that is just out regarding the OHCQ inspections and testing.

  • CLICK HERE for the Baltimore Sun article regarding inspections.


Important New Resource

Throughout this pandemic, HFAM has been transparent and frequent in putting testing, lab, and infectious diseases management resources in front of both members non-members. We strive to be part of the solution, a resource on these fronts, and look for private-sector solutions to problems in this overwhelmed environment. Yesterday, we had an outstanding call with a company called Eurofins.

I am impressed by Eurofins, their offerings, and the entrepreneurial approach of the company. To learn more, please see this advance copy of an ad that is set to appear in Provider Magazine. I will write more and share more about Eurofins in the future, keep an eye out. In the meantime, I strongly urge you to contact (in advance of the August 14 deadline) Karen Gerwitz, Business Development Director, Eurofins at 716-206-9874 or karengerwitz@eurofinsus.com.


Finally, for your part, please continue to:

  • Focus on providing quality care
  • Over communicate with residents, patients, families, and staff
  • Operate DRIVEN your infectious disease protocol (Observation +++)
  • TEST and keep accurate rosters
  • Take and document your action
  • Keep a timeline
  • Work with your hospital partners, and coordinate with local and state regulatory partners
  • Training - now is the time to be continuously training on PPE, Donning, Doffing and all things infectious disease protocol, workforce/workflow

Be well,
Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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Thank you.

We cannot thank you enough for the dedication and diligence in doing all that you can for the residents in your communities. HFAM continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic with our state and national partners and will do all we can to support you during this time.