WHCA COVID-19 Update #244

COVID-19 UPDATE #244

May 12, 2022

PROPOSED REIMPLEMENTATION OF TUBERCULOSIS TESTING IN ASSISTED LIVING

During the pandemic, DSHS waived the requirement for all new assisted living employees to receive tuberculosis (TB) testing. While many providers continued offering TB testing, others were unable to do so due to local clinic closures and/or nursing shortage.

Washington State is currently experiencing a disturbing increase in TB cases. For this reason, the extension of the TB testing waiver is unlikely. We are writing to prompt providers to prepare for full reimplementation of staff TB testing; this change will likely go into effect when the waiver expires on July 1.

WHCA is working with DSHS and DOH, specific to expectations for those providers who must “catch up” employees who were hired during the pandemic and did not receive new-employee TB testing due to the waiver. If possible, we urge you to begin the process of performing TB testing on all staff who have not yet been tested, and reimplement new employee testing following pre-pandemic standards.

For reference, TB testing directives can be found starting with WAC 388-78A-2480 and going through WAC 388-78A-2489. If you have questions, please email Vicki McNealley, or call her at (800) 562-6170, extension 107.

DEAR ADMINISTRATOR LETTER ANNOUNCES DISCONTINUATION OF SEVERAL WAIVERS IN 30 AND 60 DAYS

In a Dear Administrator letter dated May 5, 2022, skilled nursing providers are notified of several waivers that will lapse in 30 and 60 days per CMS QSO-22-15-NH & NLTC & LSC released April 7, 2022. The letter lists emergency waivers that will lapse on May 7, 2022, as follows:

Resident Groups – 42 CFR 483.10(f)(5)
Physician Delegation of Tasks – 42 CFR 483.30(e)(4)
Physician Visits – 42 CFR 483.30(c)(3)
Physician Visits in SNFs/NFs – 42 CFR 483.30
Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) – 42 CFR 483.75(b)-(d) and (e)(3)
Detailed Information Sharing for Discharge Planning – 42 CFR 483.21(c)(1)(vii)
Clinical Records – 42 CFR 483.10(g)(2)(ii)

The letter lists emergency waivers that will lapse on June 7, 2022, as follows:

Physical Environment – 42 CFR 483.90
Facility and Medical Equipment Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance (ITM) – 42 CFR 483.90
Life Safety Code (LSC) and Health Care Facilities Code ITM – 42 CFR 483.90(a)(1)(i) and (b)
Outside Windows and Doors – 42 CFR 483.90(a)(7)
LSC Fire Drills and Temporary construction – 42 CFR 483.90(a)
Paid Feeding Assistants – 42 CFR 483.60(h)(1)(i); 42 CFR 483.160(a)
In-Service Training for LTC Facilities (12 hours) – 42 CFR 483.95(g)(1)
Training and Certification for Nurse Aides – 42 CFR 483.35(d)

If providers have questions, the letter directs them to email Molly McClintock, Nursing Home Policy Program Manager, or call her at (360) 742-6966.

NHSN DEADLINE FOR COVID-19 VACCINATION DATA APPROACHING

Skilled nursing facilities that participate in the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program (QRP) must have the weekly health care personnel COVID-19 vaccination summary data entered into the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) by May 16, 2022, for 2021 Quarter 4 (October 1 – December 31, 2021). Facilities are encouraged to review and update their data prior to the deadline. Data that is not entered until after the deadline will not be sent to CMS and will not be used in the QRP. Facility data can be reviewed by using the Analysis reports within NHSN.

For questions on how to access or interpret the analysis reports, please email nhsn@cdc.gov with subject line “Accessing/Interpreting Analysis Reports” to ensure your inquiry is triaged correctly.

AHCA/NCAL JOINS NATION'S LEADING HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS IN HHS REQUEST TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), along with 15 other health care organizations, sent a joint letter yesterday to U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to request an extension of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration.

The letter emphasizes that now is not the time to let our guard down as health care providers continue to face new COVID-19 variants. The PHE offers key resources and flexibilities that are critical to helping providers quickly adapt to changing dynamics of this ongoing pandemic.

The following is a statement from Clif Porter, senior vice president of government relations for AHCA/NCAL in relation to the joint letter:

“Long term care residents and staff have been uniquely impacted by this pandemic. Even after two years, we continue to battle COVID every day and grapple with historic workforce and economic challenges the pandemic has exacerbated. Our residents are the most vulnerable when it comes to this virus, and therefore, they deserve the greatest support and highest prioritization. We urge the federal government to prioritize long term care residents and staff by extending the PHE so that providers can continue to offer the most efficient and effective care possible.”

CDC OFFERS WEBINARS TO SUPPORT SNF PROVIDERS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is offering upcoming webinars to support skilled nursing providers in their continued efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 17, 2022 OR May 19, 2022 | 10 AM PST

Updates to the LTCF COVID-19 Module Surveillance Pathways and COVID-19 Vaccination Modules for Residents and Healthcare Personnel

There will be various revisions to the LTCF COVID-19 Module surveillance pathways and COVID-19 Vaccination Modules for residents and healthcare personnel in the upcoming NHSN May release. Please attend a training session to learn how data entry forms will change and receive instructions for accurate reporting. Additionally, time will be reserved for questions and answers at the end of each training session.

May 24, 2022 or May 26, 2022 | 12:00 Noon PST

LTCF COVID-19 Module Surveillance Pathways Webinar

There will be various revisions to the LTCF COVID-19 Module surveillance pathways in the upcoming NHSN May release. Please attend a training session to learn how data entry forms will change and receive instructions for accurate reporting. Additionally, time will be reserved for questions and answers at the end of each training session.

CBIC ANNOUNCES NEW INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL CERTIFICATION FOR LONG TERM CARE

The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) today announced a new certification for infection prevention and control professionals working in long term healthcare settings.

CBIC currently offers the CIC® and a-IPC certifications which apply more broadly to all patient care settings. The new LTC certification is the first to specifically measure competencies necessary to protect long term care residents from infection. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one to three million serious infections occur each year among residents in long term care.

“Infection preventionists in long term care facilities play a crucial role in keeping vulnerable communities safe,” said CBIC 2022 President, Sandra Callery, RN, MHSc, CIC. “Certification is an important way to demonstrate competency in infection prevention and control and has been tied to better hospital patient outcomes. Now, for the first time, individuals with responsibility for infection prevention and control programs in long-term care settings can obtain certification that is more tailored to their role and signifies their commitment to providing safe care.” Read the full press release.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.