Greetings!

We have numerous updates for you this evening on:
 
  • Communal dining
  • CDC Webinar on Tuesday, March 17
  • VDH Webinar for ALFs on Wednesday, March 18
  • Supply Shortage of PPE
  • CMS Waivers for 3-Day Stay and Spell of Illness
 
Please reach out if we can be of any assistance to you. We’ll keep the updates coming as new information or guidance is issued. Thank you for all you are doing. 

Sincerely,

April Payne, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living
New Communal Dining Guidance
 
CMS’s memo dated March 13, 2020  includes guidance to “cancel communal dining and all group activities” in skilled nursing facilities. While this CMS guidance is not a requirement for assisted living communities, all long term care facilities should take all reasonably available steps to adhere , given the dire consequences of the spread of COVID-19 among our resident population.
 
Implementing this can be a challenge and will likely require changes in staffing patterns as well as enlisting other staff in the facility in order to accomplish. How this is implemented must be viewed on a facility-by-facility and day-to-day basis depending on your physical plant, staff availability, and resident needs.
 
This virus is now reported in 49 states. You should assume it is already in your surrounding community, whether or not it has been confirmed, due to lack of testing to-date. The experience in the Seattle, Washington area suggests spread may have been facilitated by group activities, including perhaps communal dining.
 
Please review AHCA/NCAL’s Communal Dining Guidance for recommendations on how to implement social distancing in your dining practices.
CDC Call
March 17 | 2:00 pm
 
During this call, CDC will focus on current information about COVID-19 as it relates to long term care facilities. Topics will include infection prevention and control guidance, steps facilities should take to prepare, and available resources.
 
VDH Webinar for Assisted Living Providers
March 18 | 2:30 pm
 
VDH is hosting a webinar with up-to-date information to help you plan appropriately for COVID-19.
 

To access the audio-only portion of the event
  • Dial: (866) 692-4530
  • Enter access code: 649 998 703
 
There is no requirement for pre-registration, but VDH requests that participants register so the agency can share follow-up information. To register, click on the "Register" highlighted link on the left. After entering your information, the "Join Now" button will become active.
Supply Shortage of PPE
 
AHCA/NCAL has heard from many of you about rapidly declining supply for personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly surgical masks and gowns, N-95 masks, or face shields. As you all know, the current worldwide shortage, coupled with the increased demand for PPE has created a dire situation for their availability in long term care facilities and other providers. AHCA/NCAL has raised this concern with every agency at the highest level, including the Vice President.
 
If you have not already started, which we understand many of you have, we recommend initiating as many conservation approaches where you are able. If you are imminently (within 3-4 days) about to exhaust specific PPE supplies, you should take these steps in this order:
 
Contact VHASS , the Virginia Healthcare Alerting and Status System or your local health care coalition:
  • Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition: (800) 276-0683
  • Eastern Virginia Healthcare Coalition: (844) 757-7422
  • Far Southwest Healthcare Coalition: (888) 262-6498
  • Near Southwest Preparedness Alliance: (866) 679-7422
  • Northern Virginia Hospital Alliance: (888) 987-7422
  • Northwest Region Healthcare Coalition: (855) 469-7422
 
Contact your local health department—here are quick links:
CMS Waivers for 3-Day Stay and Spell of Illness
 
On March 14, CMS issued two waivers to aid skilled nursing facilities in addressing the COVID-19 outbreak. CMS is waiving both the 3-Day Stay and Spell of Illness requirements nationally. Read the AHCA/NCAL update with the details . 

Please email COVID19@ahca.org for additional questions, and visit www.ahcancal.org/coronavirus for additional information and resources.
www.vhca.org | (804) 353-9101 | Calendar of Events