COVID 19: New and Updated Information and Resources
NJAASC has curated authoritative information and a list of resources for our Membership’s reference. We will continue to update this as more information becomes available.
 
PAST COVID E-BLAST HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED DUE TO SPACE RESTRAINTS AND TO KEEP THINGS CURRENT.
 
TO VIEW PREVIOUS E-BLASTS, CLICK HERE

NJAASC SENDS LETTER TO COMMISSIONER ABOUT TESTING AND REPORTING CONCERNS – 7/8/20
In light of the quite serious issues concerning reagent shortages and over burdened labs, NJAASC has sent a letter to the Commissioner suggesting changes.

THIS TEST IS NOT ACCEPTABLE UNDER THE GUIDELINES -7/8/20
Per Dr. Kirn, the BD Veritor test is not acceptable.
Q:  Acceptable for use under guidelines?
A:  No - this another antigen test.

AGAIN WITH THE TESTING!- 7/8/20
Just to make it clear since there are still questions.
Currently, there are NO Antigen tests that can be used, that satisfy the Department’s guidelines for ASC pre-op testing.

Q : I just want to get the answer straight from the expert you!
It is my understanding that right now there are no Antigen tests that can be used for pre-opt ASC testing, per the guidelines.
Correct?

From:  Kirn, Thomas < Thomas.Kirn@doh.nj.gov >
Sent:  Tuesday, July 7, 2020 9:31 AM

A : Yes correct.

TRANSACTIONS AND VALUATION ISSUES WEBINAR- 7/8/20
DATE
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
TIME
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
LOCATION
Webinar 
REGISTRATION
QUESTIONS
Contact Rachel Gisser at  rgisser@withum.com  or 973-898-0472.

Webinar Series: Post COVID-19 Considerations for Healthcare Organizations
As restrictions are gradually lifted, Withum and Brach Eichler invite you to a three-part webinar series offering guidance for your healthcare organization from both the financial and legal perspective. Our experts will address specific concerns you may be facing, including returning to the office, transactions/valuations, and PPP issues, in order to prepare your healthcare organization for a smooth transition back to life in the “new normal.”
Part 2: Post COVID-19 Transactions and Valuation Issues
Since the pandemic began, there’s been a significant disruption in the marketplace in terms of transactions and valuations, particularly for healthcare entities. As we begin to return to work, join our experts as we explore the effect that COVID-19 has had on the industry thus far and considerations for moving forward in light of the ongoing pandemic. As we brace ourselves and our businesses for a second wave, how much will profitability be affected?
John D. Fanburg, Esq . , Managing Member and Chair, Healthcare Law at Brach Eicher, and  Thomas Reck , Team Leader of Withum’s Forensic and Valuation Services will dive into the post COVID-19 “new normal.”
Attendees will be able to:
  • Assess to what extent NJ M&A activity has slowed or increased as we return to work
  • Identify the impact COVID-19 has had on valuations for medical practices that are in due diligence or about to go to market
  • Describe how buyout amounts will be calculated post COVID-19 and the effect on retiring physicians
This webinar is anticipated to qualify for 1 NJ CLE/CPE credit.

Speakers:
Partner and
Lead, Forensic and Valuation Services
Withum

Managing Member and Chair, Healthcare Law
Brach Eichler LLC

THIS TEST IS NOT APPROVED FOR PRE-OPT TESTING – 7/6/20

See below, as we stated previously in COVID updates, this test Quidel Sofia IS NOT approved for used by ASCs for pre-opt testing. Apparently some centers are using it, and not following the guidelines.
 
Q:  Dr. Kirn- I already know the answer, but I want it to come from you. The test imaged below is not approved for pre-opt testing by ASCs, correct?

From:  Kirn, Thomas < Thomas.Kirn@doh.nj.gov >
Sent:  Monday, July 6, 2020 12:22 PM

A:  Correct.
Sofia SARS Antigen

 
REAGENT SHORTAGE- PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ISSUES – 7/6/20

I have spoken this AM to the Department regarding the shortage of reagents, and how this is affecting the ability to test patients pre-op for ASCs.
Dr. Kirn who is the Director of Public Health Labs at the Department is involved.
 
Please let me know if you are having issues, and which labs this is affecting.


Q&A INFORMATION ON TRAVEL QUARANTINE- 7/6/20

The quarantine is voluntary, but compliance is expected. The facility will need to determine the if the surgery can or cannot wait. Employees may be exempted.
 
Critical Infrastructure Workers
Exceptions to the travel advisory are also permitted for individuals traveling to New Jersey from designated states who work in critical infrastructure, as defined by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. This would include, for example, health care workers and state and local law enforcement. The comprehensive list of critical infrastructure industries is available here:  https://www.cisa.gov/identifying-critical-infrastructure-during-covid-19 .

Critical Infrastructure workers who have had an exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere to the screening, social distancing, and mitigation practices prior to and during their work shift, as outlined by the CDC.
 
Stefanie Mozgai, BA, RN, CPM
Assistant Commissioner
Department of Health
Health Facility Survey & Field Operations
 
 
I have been asked the following questions:
  • If a patient comes from one of the states on the list of high number of cases, and it is not the 14 days, can they have surgery?
  • Can a nurse or staff member who returns from one of the high risk areas work without being quarantined for the 14 days?
 
I checked with the state and the clinical person I spoke with stated that the quarantine is voluntary . This does not make sense for a surgical patient or a staff member. Who is going to make the decision – the facility, the Md or ???

YOU MAY DISCONTINUE NJAASC TESTING DATA COLLECTION – 7/6/20

With the advent of portal reporting, it is no longer necessary to fill out the NJAASC data reporting tool.

Per our suggestion, NJDOH has incorporated our categories of testing reporting in said portal. 

This will allow them to run reports and have firsthand information about testing issues.
We appreciate the response from almost 200 centers as regards the data collection.
It was crucial in pushing testing from four to six days.


REFILLING CONTAINERS FROM INFECTION CONTROL – 7/6/20


THIS TEST IS ACCEPTABLE FOR PRE-OP TESTING – 7/6/20

From:  Kirn, Thomas < Thomas.Kirn@doh.nj.gov >
Sent:  Monday, July 6, 2020 12:29 PM
This would be acceptable.
 
T2 Biosystems announces launch of COVID-19 diagnostic test



SOME ASPECTS OF PORTAL REPORTING SUSPENDED, FOR NOW – 7/6/20

When you did your first portal data drop today, you should have noticed that the cases total reporting was deleted.

The Department has suspended that reporting.

There was an almost hysterical hue and cry by some that this was confidential and proprietary information.

We of course do not agree with that assessment, but that is the ruling- for now.
Stay tuned.

Questions? Contact Jeff Shanton at  jshanton@jssurgctr.com