COVID-19 UPDATE #26
April 29, 2020
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CDC WEBINAR TRAININGS FOR COVID-19 MODULE: NEW MANDATORY REPORTING FOR SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES
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CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network has announced two upcoming webinar trainings for the new
LTCF COVID-19 Module
, which is expected to be a new requirement by CMS for skilled nursing facilities. The final rule from CMS on this requirement is still pending. However, CDC is making the module available to nursing homes now.
The training webinars will be recorded and posted to the LTCF COVID-19 Module webpage with a PDF of the slide presentation.
Topic One:
COVID-19 Module Overview for Long Term Care Facilities
Thursday, April 30 | 10:30 – 12:00 noon PST
Topic Two:
COVID-19 Enrollment Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities
Friday, May 1 | 10:30 – 12:00 noon PST
Learn how to join these webinars on the
CDC website
. If you have questions, please email CDC at
nhsn@cdc.gov
and include LTCF COVID-19 in the subject line.
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DEAR ADMINISTRATOR LETTER ADDRESSES ASSISTED LIVING ADMINISTRATOR TRAINING RULES
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In its April 27, 2020,
Dear Administrator letter to assisted living providers
, the Department announced
emergency rules
effective April 23, 2020, to suspend requirements related to administrator training certificates in WACs 388-78A-2524(1), -2525(1), and -2526(1). These rules are suspended in response to the significant threat of COVID-19 to our most vulnerable populations.
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PREPARING FOR FUTURE SURVEYS: DOCUMENT YOUR CALLS FOR HELP
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As noted in previous COVID-19 AHCA/NCAL updates, the association has developed
brief guidance
for facilities facing personal protective equipment and staffing shortages, as well as other challenges in receiving assistance. Most long term care providers do not have access to the adequate supplies or staff to provide the level of care needed to contain the virus. Documenting requests for assistance is a critical part of managing of the long term consequences of the lack of supplies and testing – and preparing for future surveys.
Unfortunately, also due to this crisis, many long term care providers are unable to get fulfilled requests for help made to regular contacts (e.g., suppliers, morgues, staffing agencies, etc.) and through traditional communication channels. Long term care providers need to regularly call for help and need to document these calls were made. Continue to reach out to these entities:
Be sure to check out the
AHCA/NCAL guidance
, which also has information on how to properly document calls for help and the importance of requesting a facility level waiver.
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CDC UPDATES COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated their
list of COVID-19 symptoms
. The symptoms now include cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing or at least two of the following symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, and new loss of taste or smell.
With the addition of these symptom, AHCA/NCAL has updated the relevant resources including the
screening checklist
for essential personnel and visitors, as well as the
sample daily log for personnel
. If you created screening tools, you should update to include the additional symptoms.
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CDC LAUNCHES LTC FRONTLINE STAFF TRAINING WEBINARS
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CDC has developed resources for frontline staff in long term care facilities. These short webinars are all published on the
Key Strategies to Prepare for COVID-19 in Long Term Care Facilities webpage
at the bottom under a “Webinar Series” section. These new webinars are intended to be a training tool/resource for frontline long term care staff members. CDC has also listed three “Additional Resources” to this page, which have been updated previously.
Here are the direct links to each webinar:
The new additional resources are:
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FEMA SHIPPING SNFs A SUPPLY OF PPE IN EARLY MAY AND AGAIN IN JUNE
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The White House Coronavirus Task Force announced yesterday that FEMA will be shipping to every nursing home in the United States a supply of PPE (surgical masks, gowns, face shields and gloves) in early May and again in early June. As we learn more about the arrival dates and amounts, we will let you know.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO HOST Q&A FOR LTC PROVIDERS ON APRIL 30
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On Thursday, April 30, the Department of Health will host a webinar at 11:00 a.m. The purpose of the webinar is to update long term care providers on the actions they have taken in response to COVID-19 and to answer questions. If you wish to join the webinar,
advanced registration is required.
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CMS COVID-19 ENGAGEMENT CALLS FOR WEEK OF
APRIL 27
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CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to healthcare providers and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Below is a list of upcoming calls. All calls are recorded, and recordings are posted
here.
Conference lines are limited, so it is highly recommended that you join via audio webcast on any device.
Wednesday, April 29 | 1:30 PM EST | Nursing Homes
Wednesday, April 29 | 2:30 PM EST | Dialysis Organizations
Thursday, April 29 | 1:300 PM EST | Nurses
Friday, May 1 | 9:30 AM PST | Lessons from the Front Lines
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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.
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