SWHR’s in-network hospitals, Texas Health Resources and UT Southwestern Medical Center, are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 positive cases over the last couple of weeks. Michael Beaty, Post-Acute Engagement Specialist for SWHR, has been in regular communication with hospital case managers from both hospital systems. “Around October 1, we had less than 800 cases in the hospitals,” he said. As of October 21, there are over 1,000 and rising. UTSW Clements and Parkland Hospitals, specifically, are seeing the upward trend in cases.

As Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) continue to reopen through the ongoing pandemic, we wanted to understand the new and ongoing challenges those facilities are facing. Rising case numbers mean even more precautions are necessary. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) released a provider letter this fall detailing an expansion of reopening guidelines regarding visitations in skilled and long-term care facilities. Specifically, the new provider letter released on October 19, called for a new form, LTCR 2197, to be submitted to regional directors for reopening approval. We spoke to corporate representatives from four companies in our network to find out how these guidelines are affecting them. Continue reading >>