Coronavirus Update #60
Call with Hospital Partners Today, MDH Recorded Call, Additional Reminders
SNF & Hospital Partner Call - Today, April 17 at 2:00 PM

Along with the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA), the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), Johns Hopkins Medicine, LifeBridge, and other hospital partners, we will be hosting our fourth call to connect our sectors. HFAM will invite broadly and work with partners and other associations to make all post-acute providers aware of this call.

The purpose of that call will be to discuss topics of mutual interest such as transfers between hospitals and post-acute facilities, post-acute capacity, models to expand capacity, and other priorities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


This call will take place Friday, April 17 from 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Dial-in: 1-415-655-0001
Passcode: 316 561 900 #
MDH Recorded Webinar for LTC

Yesterday, 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:

  • Review current situation of COVID-19
  • State & Federal Updates
  • Revised directive
  • Why we use PPE
  • How we use PPE


You can also view the webinar's  PowerPoint presentation here.

If you have any questions, please email  mdh.ipcovid@maryland.gov . 
CMS Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19

On behalf of CMS Administrator Seema Verma, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force, you are invited to join CMS Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 on Friday, April 17 from 12:30 – 2 PM EST. This call series is an opportunity to hear physicians and other clinical leaders share their experiences, best practices, strategies, and insights related to COVID-19.

Lessons from The Front Lines calls are held weekly on Fridays at 12:30 PM Eastern and specific topics vary. Dial in details are below.

CMS Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19
Friday, April 17
12:30 – 2:00 PM EST
Participant Dial-In: (877) 251-0301
Access Code: 8672948

Conference lines are limited, so you are encouraged to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser. 
Mental Health Resources

Many people, especially caregivers who help and serve others, are feeling the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to be vigilant to increased stress, trauma, and mental health problems.

The Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) has a "  Coronavirus resources" page on their newly remodeled mental health and aging website. If there are groups or individuals who would benefit from time to focus on these issues,  MHAMD can help with a tailored gathering that can be anything from a presentation to an exercise to a support group.

The MHAMD guidebook  “Mental Health in Later Life: A Guidebook for Older Marylanders and the People Who Care for Them” is available online as a PDF. The information within this book is more important than ever and easily accessible online for everyone.

Lastly, please see this flyer for an upcoming webinar series "CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): TIPS FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS." The Maryland Department of Human Services, along with community partners such as the Alzheimer’s Association and Johns Hopkins University, are hosting this webinar series to communicate about dementia caregiving during this unprecedented time.
PPE RESOURCE REMINDERS
In our continuing efforts to assist providers with sourcing PPE supply, HFAM has identified several companies that are producing supplies and taking orders. These companies can be used to compliment orders from your existing vendors. Please contact the individuals directly regarding your needs to determine which company is a good fit for you.
MEDLINE

If you have a COVID-19 case, Medline will send you a special augmented shipment of PPE, as long as supplies last. Please contact your sales representative.

Many providers have purchased Medline disposable gowns and Medline is working as fast as possible to bring more into stock to meet demand. In the meantime, Medline has begun experimenting with washing these gowns. The initial tests have worked better than expected. Here are detailed instructions on how to wash these gowns:



Please note that there should be a test wash any of the gowns to determine their ability to effectively wash and sustain usability in the wash process. Do an initial small batch test to make sure the process works. 

For additional information, questions, or product assistance, contact your Medline sales representative or call 1-800-Medline.
FACE SHIELDS

Sparx Protective Face Shield

Sparx Hockey, inventor of the revolutionary Sparx Skate Sharpener, has announced it will begin manufacturing protective face shields to assist the medical community in combating the COVID-19 pandemic.  The company expects to produce approximately 10,000-15,000 face shields a week and is currently taking orders via its website at  www.sparxhockey.com/safetygear .  The Sparx Protective Face Shield is intended for single use only and should only be used with medically approved masks.  Cost $59.00 for a pack of 10.
FACE MASKS
 
Eurotard Dancewear  has begun production of face masks. The factory closed its regular production due to the coronavirus and began production of PPE immediately. 

For more information on the reusable face mask, please click here . Note that the pricing shown on the website is consumer retail pricing. Bulk orders for PPEs will be invoiced at wholesale pricing for your facility. 

Contact Jan Swan at 513-235-7019 or  jan@eurotard.com
FACE MASKS AND HAND SANITIZERS

Offering bulk pricing on Planet Earth Face Masks, that are ATSM Level 2 FDA Certified.

Offering bulk pricing on Greenerways Handsanitizer a 70% Alcohol based hand sanitizer to meet the demands of First Responders, Hospitals and Healthcare centers.  

Contact Scott Edwards, Innovative Marketing Services, phone 410-340-1113 or via email at sedwards@imsreps.com
DISPOSABLE FACE SHIELDS

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has designed and licensed a manufacturer to produce disposable face shields in high volume. These face shields do not replace the need for face masks such as N95s but do offer splash protection and can extend the useful life of N95 respirators and surgical masks. 

Long term care facilities facing shortages of face masks and other PPE should continue efforts to obtain N95s and other PPE, even if they order the MIT face shields. The face shields cost $348.75 for a box of 125 ($2.79 each). Learn more and access their order form at mitshield.com .
ALL PPE

IronMark. In an effort to support the thousands of healthcare, medical staff and essential business workers in protecting themselves in this critical time, IronMark has leveraged their existing manufacturer relationships to source and make available PPE supplies and gear. Ironmark is committed to making these much needed supplies available to you, to protect the teams of heroes on, and supporting, the front line.

Please contact Larry Davis  for additional information on Gowns , Masks , Shields , and Goggles 


Hatch Exhibits in Elkridge, MD is working with supply chain personnel at several local medical facilities in the Baltimore/Washington area as well as facilities in Michigan. Hatch is currently filling orders on a first-come, first-served basis for overnight or next day delivery. Please contact Tracy McCormick at tracy@hatchexhibits.com for additional information or to place an order.

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING COMPANIES – ALL LOCAL COMPANIES

Gordon
410-739-4432


Josh Rafter
Cell: 410-458-6180


Jim Reynolds
410-589-5999
(or)
Kevin Holmboe
410-271-0268
Proper Use of PPE Reminder

AHCA/NCAL has heard from CMS that a common theme they are finding during COVID-19 infection control focused surveys are PPE not being used correctly, including donning and doffing procedures. Surveyors are having staff demonstrate handwashing and donning and doffing of PPE. 

We encourage you to review with your teams the appropriate way to apply and remove all PPE, including gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection. Performing observations yourself can be helpful to prepare staff for surveyor observation and to quickly correct any practices needing improvement.

  • These documents can be printed and posted in your center to ensure your staff are aware of how to appropriately don PPE

  • These documents can be printed off and posted in your center to ensure your staff are aware of how to appropriately doff PPE.  

  • The following video explains how to do hand hygiene and donning/doffing PPE appropriately. 

COVID-19 Resource Request Process Reminder

As we have previously shared, The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is working closely with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to organize emergency suppliers of equipment and services that will aid in the response to the COVID-19 crisis.

If your organization needs personal protective equipment (PPE), please fill out the  Emergency Medical Material request form  and send it to your local Emergency Operations Center. Please see the  NEW AND UPDATED contact list.


Thank you to all of you and your staff for providing these essential services. Please direct questions to your local emergency management contact.
Where to Turn for Help

Learn more about proper use of PPE and steps you can take to acquire equipment on the AHCA COVID-19 website under the new Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) section.

In addition, AHCA AHCA/NCAL has developed brief  guidance  for facilities facing PPE and staffing shortages, as well as other challenges in receiving assistance. It is critically important that you raise the alarm and you document your efforts to obtain support.
HFAM cannot guarantee the availability of any supplies or equipment. These resources are provided as an addition to your current PPE suppliers. HFAM will not profit financially from sales made from these vendors.
Did you miss HFAM's previous alerts?

Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
Thank you.

We cannot thank you enough for the dedication and diligence in doing all that you can for the residents in your communities. HFAM continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic with our state and national partners and will do all we can to support you during this time.