Breaking Update from Governor Hogan's Press Conference
In today's
press conference, Governor Hogan announced additional measures being taken to protect residents and staff in the long-term and post-acute care sector.
Governor Hogan announced that Maryland is launching statewide strike teams made up of members of the National Guard, representatives of local and state health departments, the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, and hospital systems to bring triage, emergency care, supplies, and equipment to overburdened nursing homes. Maryland is the first state to launch such a coordinated response effort. There will be three types of these strike teams:
- Testing teams to identify those in close contact with confirmed cases, collect and send out tests, and provide expert instruction on keeping confirmed and suspected cases safe and separate.
- Assistance teams made of members of the National Guard to assess the situation on site, determine supply and equipment needs, and triage residents.
- Clinical teams including doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses from major hospital systems that are tasked with providing on site medical triage and stabilizing residents in nursing homes in order to avoid unnecessary transfers to hospitals.
These teams are NOT replacing nursing home medical and clinical teams, but are providing immediate assistance and support to help protect residents. The state teams will provide assistance and care immediately to slow the spread of the virus. These teams will be activated and respond to requests from nursing homes, local health departments, and Maryland Department of Health Infectious disease experts.
HFAM will continue to keep you updated as additional information and guidance becomes available.
