HFAM Update
Friends:
As we have previously shared, the Berkeley Group has been retained by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to produce an accurate, short, yet detailed COVID-19 pandemic after-action report. Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers must lend our learnings, insights, expertise, frustrations, and recommendations to this report; Maryland hospitals will be doing the same. HFAM and other sector leaders are assisting in outreach to providers to collect information needed to compile this report.
Each skilled nursing and rehabilitation center is asked to complete this questionnaire to document activities during the pandemic, identify areas of opportunity, and make recommendations regarding actions the State can take to prepare for a future event. Completing this questionnaire may require centers to reach out to relevant stakeholders and team members to ensure thorough responses. Frankly, let us provide feedback from assisted living campuses as well, which is also critical.
Other Points:
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Vaccination: Early reports of the Delta variant surge indicate that ninety-nine of those infected are unvaccinated. It remains critically important that we promote vaccination among our teams at work and people in our personal lives— via a physician, hospital, clinic, or in our sector with partners in hospitals, long-term care pharmacies, or state partners.
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Board of Nursing Renewals: As we have shared many times since June 9th, Governor Hogan extended the medical licensure renewal deadline to August 15, 2021. This deadline is now quickly approaching. As of today, MBON has less than 200 applications to process. However, MDH is aware that there are over 40,000 healthcare workers (across all settings) licensed or certified by the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) that have not yet submitted applications including 10,242 nurses, 16,221 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and 16,595 medication technicians (MTs). It is critical that your teams file as soon as possible for licensure renewal. On this front, HFAM has been working with the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) to assist with these licensure renewals. We have collected center specific information from 21 centers on how many individuals need renewal. With this information, MDH/MBON will be able to assist with potential issues and communicate more effectively. If you have not yet shared this information with us, please fill out this spreadsheet as soon as possible and return to hmorris@hfam.org If you have this information in another format (such a word document, PDF, different excel sheet, etc.), you can send that instead.
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ImmuNet: The most recent Maryland Department of Health (MDH) amended nursing home matters order requires that all skilled nursing facilities register in ImmuNet as a COVID-19 providers by July 15, 2021. If you haven’t already done so, it is required that your center register ASAP. Click here for an FAQ from MDH that provides information on how to register and contact information. Please note that even if your center does not plan on receiving vaccines directly, you must still register and apply for a COVID PIN (see guide here). If your center has an EHR that does not report to Immunet, it is recommended that you use Prepmod. Prepmod training is available tomorrow, July 21 at 12:00 PM.
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Federal Public Health Emergency Extended: Last night, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra extended the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for an additional 90 days. The new expiration date for the COVID-19 PHE is now set for Monday, October 18, 2021. It is currently expected that HHS will continue to renew its declaration of the PHE every 90 days through the end of 2021 and provide 60 days' notice prior to ending it. As noted in previous AHCA/NCAL communications, as long as the PHE is in place, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may retain its 1135 waivers. However, CMS could decide to phase out other waivers prior to the end of the PHE if it determines they are no longer needed. CMS will continue to monitor the emergency blanket waivers and may provide future updates. The Maryland Board of Nursing plans to honor the federal State of emergency and CMS waiver allowing emergency temporary nursing assistants to practice in Maryland for up to 120 days after the federal emergency ends.
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AHCA/NCAL Infection Preventionist Specialized Training – IPCO Version 2: AHCA Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is a specialized course of study for healthcare professionals who desire to serve as Infection Preventionists (IPs) as established in the CMS Reform of Requirements of Participation for Long Term Care Facilities. Through this program, individuals will be specially trained to effectively implement and manage an Infection Prevention and Control Program in a nursing center. Click here to learn more and register.
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OHSA ETS Webinar: In partnership with CleanHealth Environmental and LeadingAge Maryland, we will be hosting a webinar on the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard on Monday, August 9 at 1:00 PM. Please mark your calendars and be on the lookout for additional information.
As Always:
- Focus on what is in your control and not what is out of your control.
- Overcommunicate.
- Adapt and innovate.
- Rely on your partnerships.
- Speak up when you need help.
- Double efforts on infectious disease protocols, training, and operations.
- Take and document your action; keep a timeline.
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CLICK HERE for the Dr. Katz Video, and please see the Donning and Doffing Checklist we have been sharing
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Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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HHS Funding Addresses Mental Health and Burnout in Health Workforce
Last week, HHS, through the HRSA, announced funding to reduce burnout and promote mental health among the health workforce.
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National Stakeholder Call on Rule to Protect Consumers from Surprise Medical Bills: July 22 at 3:30pm
You are invited to national stakeholder call to regarding “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I,” an interim final rule that will restrict excessive out of pocket costs to consumers from surprise billing and balance billing.
National Stakeholder Call
July 22 at 3:30pm EDT
Call Number: 888-455-1397
Participant passcode: 8758359
Fact sheets on this interim final rule can be found here and here.
The interim final rule with comment period can be accessed here.
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Project Firstline
We are partnering with the Maryland Department of Health and Health Quality Innovators (HQI) to let you know about a new free infection prevention learning initiative from the CDC called Project Firstline. Project Firstline aims to spread infection control learning opportunities to front line workers in the healthcare field, even those without a clinical background.
Project Firstline’s CDC-developed training and engagement opportunities include short, accessible training videos, virtual interactive events, and telementoring to ensure every worker in every healthcare setting is empowered with the science and reasoning behind essential infection control practices, and can confidently apply those practices to protect themselves, their facility, their family, and their community.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lynne Layug (llayug@hqi.solutions) at HQI.
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MDH Webinar Recap
Last week the Maryland Department of Health held a webinar call to update the long-term care sector on COVID-19 developments and best practices. The call was recorded, in case you were unable to join or would like to review the topics discussed, which included:
- COVID-19 Epi Summary
- Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
- CDC/FDA Vaccine Updates
- Outbreak Response Measures
- Other Updates & Reminders
- FAQs
- Q&A
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Personal Protective Equipment Distribution
In response to the COVID pandemic, the State of Maryland Department of Health acquired and distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) to health care providers. At this time they still have large quantities of PPE available. The three Associations in Maryland have been asked to assist in distributing this remaining PPE stock. Over the next few weeks, the remaining PPE will be delivered to the LifeSpan office in Columbia, and will be available for pickup by those placing an order. Because of the quantities available, space needed, and staffing limitations we will be receiving and distributing this PPE in phases.
The first shipment will include: Gloves (Small, Medium, and Large); gowns; N95 and KN95 masks; face shields; and goggles.
We are working on logistics of this major undertaking and will keep you informed about availability and pick-up dates and time. Please understand that we may not be able to fulfill every request with our first shipment, but will work to fulfill requests in future shipments.
If you have already sent an email to Patty DeGrasse at HFAM with your supply order request, you do not need to send another email. Anyone wishing to place an order may do so by emailing pdegrasse@hfam.org with needed items, quantity, and contact information for the individual who will be picking up the supply for your center.
As soon as our shipment is received and pick-up dates scheduled, you will receive an email confirming your order and instructions for pickup at the LifeSpan office in Columbia.
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Upcoming Live Webinar!
Winning Keys: Outreach, Marketing, & Engagement
July 27, 2021 from 11:30 - 1:00 PM
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The cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic has harmed the reputation of nursing homes, as sales and marketing professionals, we need to know how to work together towards a successful future. This presentation will break down the problems currently facing the industry, and how to navigate them to arrive at a solid solution. Presenters will explain the ‘New Normal’ post-COVID-19 and ways to meet the needs of your referral sources, clients, and their families during this time. It is through outreach and engagement that marketing and outreach teams can return trust to your business.
Agenda Topics:
The New Normal
Business Development in New Economy
Business Development Training
Tools to Support You
Presenters:
Joseph DeMattos, HFAM
Diane Devaney, Devaney & Associates
John Dinkel, Dinkel Business Development, LLC
CE: 1.5 NAB credit for LNHAs
Cost: $55 Per Registrant
Can't make the live session?
Register and receive access to the recording.
No CEs offered for the recording.
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Nursing Home Media Toolkit
Check out the new Nursing Home Media Toolkit from the Maryland Department of Health. The password to access the materials is Vaccine2021.
Please use the materials in this media toolkit to spread the word about vaccination with staff.
You'll find flyers, ads, social media posts, videos, and posters.
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The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person October 4 – 7, 2021 at the Maryland Live Hotel and Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Hundreds of long-term care leaders will connect, share best practices and discuss actionable insights on how we can reflect, reform, rebuild, and revolutionize quality care. You and your teams will not want to miss this opportunity as we come together again.
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Thank you to our current sponsors! |
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Plus, Visit our Sponsors and Supporters in the
Brand New "Solutions Lounge"
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COVID-19 Resources
What you need to know.
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#Get Vaccinated
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AHCA/NCAL Get Vaccinated campaign now has a dedicated website –getvaccinated.us – to help educate and encourage caregivers and staff at long-term care facilities to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The website includes credible information from medical professionals, public health officials, and scientists to help answer common questions about the vaccines among staff members and other individuals.
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Did you miss an update?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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