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PAST COVID E-BLAST HAVE BEEN ARCHIVED DUE TO SPACE RESTRAINTS AND TO KEEP THINGS CURRENT.
YOU CAN USE THIS TEST – 6/30/20
I would like to run this by you. Have you heard of the Nucleic Acid Amplification test, attached. Do you know if this is an approved test, which performed only by LabCorp.
ANTIGEN TEST- WHY IT IS NOT OPTIMAL FOR USE – 6/30/20
Originally, the Department was going to use Antigen testing as an alternative to molecular. At the last minute the Commissioner changed her mind, and it was not added to the ED addenda from last week.
Below, please find the rationale from Dr. Kirn- DOH.
The antigen test tends to have a higher false negative rate than the molecular (NAAT) test which makes it less optimal for testing asymptomatic individuals.
TRAVEL ADVISORY FROM DOH – 6/30/20
This is the extent of what DOH is going to put out, no special guidelines for health care employees etc.
GOVERNOR PULLS BACK ON REOPENINGS – 6/29/20
As you are all aware, several states have shown an incredible spike in COVID cases over the past week or so. So much so that the Governor has issued a quarantine of sorts for people from seven of these states.
Texas has discontinued elective surgeries as well.
Today, the Governor pulled back on indoor dining, and I would not be surprised if there is more to follow, see below:
While you might ask why am I talking about this, well it dovetails with ASCs and electives. This Governor will not hesitate to shut us down, or anyone else if he thinks there is a resurgence, or the prospects of one.
Do I think he will go that far? Not now, but you never know. And that is why it is so important to test your patients- with the correct tests and do everything by the book.
LIFE SAFETY CODE PARTICIPATION GOES ON DURING COVID-6/29/20
Below, find a response from CMS to a question from a member center.
Thank you for your submission.
CMS has reviewed your request.
The Physical Environment blanket waivers released on April 30, 2020 and updated on May 11, 2020 with a retroactive effective date to March 1, 2020 only applies to in-patient facilities including Hospitals, Long Term Care Facilities and ICF/IID. They do not apply to ASCs. In addition, the NJ Governor has signed an Executive Order allowing elective surgery effective May 26.
Your waiver request therefore has been denied. Ambulatory Surgical Centers are expected to comply with the Life Safety Code Medicare Conditions of Participation.
One additional point we want you to know, as detailed in QSO-20-20-ALL, CMS is not taking any enforcement action related to inspections, testing, maintenance at this time.
Northeast Survey & Enforcement Division
Survey & Operations Group
Center for Clinical Standards and Quality
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
FIRST WEEK FOR PPE/CASE REPORTING PORTAL -6/29/20
Remember the first reporting Monday will be July 6
th
