The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a summary document for interim clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines that are currently authorized or approved in the United States. The CDC added considerations for an eight-week interval between the first and second doses of a primary mRNA vaccine schedule. The clinical considerations provide additional information to health care professionals on the use of COVID-19 vaccines. The summary document is an easy to use snapshot of information that can be added to the infection preventionist toolkit.​

In a Dear Administrator letter dated March 4, 2022, assisted living providers are informed the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has filed CR-103E (WSR 22-07-004) emergency rules for tuberculosis (TB) testing requirements for long term care workers. The new emergency rules continue the suspension of requirements related to TB testing in WACs. These rules are suspended in response to the significant threat of COVID-19 to our most vulnerable populations, especially for those receiving long term care services in their homes and congregate settings, such as long term care facilities. This rule filing extends the emergency rule until July 1, 2022.

In a second Dear Administrator letter dated March 4, 2022, assisted living providers are informed of the filing of a CR-103E (Emergency Rule) to extend emergency rules in Chapter 388-78A WAC of the Assisted Living Facility licensing rules pertaining to administrator training. The Department of Social and Health Services is extending the suspension retroactive to August 13, 2021, to assure assisted living facilities are not significantly impeded during the hiring process due to an administrator’s inability to obtain a certificate of completion of a recognized administrator training as referenced in WAC 388-78A-2521. The suspension is effective retroactively from August 13, 2021, with an expiration date of June 7, 2022, and is published in WSR 22-05-026. Questions can be directed via email to Jeanette Childress, LTC Policy Program Manager, or you may call her at (360) 764-9804.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national nursing home stakeholder call on Thursday, March 10, at 12:00 noon. Click here to register in advance.

The recording to last Friday's AHCA/NCAL member webinar detailing President Biden’s proposals for nursing homes and the Association’s response is now available. Please note that the recording is available to AHCA/NCAL members only.

According to DSHS, funding has been extended for the use of staffing support to LTC facilities via the Rapid Response Teams. Facilities do not need to have a COVID outbreak to request the staffing support. Staffing support is free and more information on how to request assistance can be found in the Dear Administrator letter 021-09-02-1 RAPID RESPONSE TEAM 2 SHORT-TERM STAFFING.

If you are currently licensed in another state and practicing in Washington under the Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioner Act, remember: when the Governor declares the emergency ends, you MUST have a Washington State license. If you don't, you won't be able to practice in Washington.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is offering mobile COVID testing. They provided an informational document outlining the parameters for onsite mobile testing in Tacoma and Pierce County health facilities. If a facility is experiencing an outbreak, they can schedule a team to come out and provide testing. This is offered Monday-Saturday. 

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.