Coronavirus Update #101
Redetermination Memo, MD Think, MDH Webinar, Free Access to Music Videos,
CMS Calls this Week, PPE Resources and Proper Use Reminders
Redetermination Extension Memo from MDH

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has announced that the the deadline for renewal of Medicaid cases in Maryland, including LTC Medicaid cases, has been extended.

Redetermination and renewal deadlines set for March 31, 2020, April 30, 2020, May 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 have been extended to July 31, 2020. Cases that are due to close on those dates have been extended to July 31st.

In addition, there are only four reasons why an LTC case will close during the national emergency: death, voluntary closure, a move out of state, and a move out of an LTC facility but into Community MA.

Facilities are still encouraged to complete renewals as close to the scheduled redetermination date as possible because the sooner the renewal is completed, the sooner the case can be updated. This extension gives more time but docs not extend past July 31, 2020. 

LTC facilities are also encouraged to use the MD Think system to ensure timely filing.
Reminder: MD Think System

MDH and DHS invite you to use the online Eligibility and Enrollment system. Since the launch of the system in 2018, MDH and DHS have made a tremendous effort to improve the user experience by improving online support and application functionality. If you haven’t used it since it first launched, you’ll see a vast change and a more reliable system for your submissions. Submitting a paper application requires a local worker to key in all the information submitted and then upload the documents, which adds time to the overall determination process. The E&E System is here to help!
MDH Webinar Recording

Last week, 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
  • Nursing Home Task Force
  • MHA Dashboards
  • CMS Memo
  • NHSN COVID Module Updates
  • CDC Updates
  • Town Hall


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

If you have any questions, please email  [email protected]
Free Access to Music Videos

David Combs a photographer, composer and producer of instrumental music is offering free access to many of his music videos via You Tube. Mr. Combs after 30 years in the business has found a way to give back and spread some joy. His music videos have been described as soothing and relaxing, and the current stressful environment of isolation at healthcare facilities made him realize that his music can play a constructive role in reducing stress and anxiety.

Long Play Music Videos : For large video screens in your public areas, four videos that are long-playing (over 6 hours). These videos can be streamed to have beautiful, relaxing music playing in the background all day long. Just start one of the videos and let it play all day. The videos have beautiful photography accompanied by soothing, relaxing instrumental music composed by Dave Combs and arranged and performed by Gary Prim.

Short Play Music Videos : These music videos are basically one song in length and suitable for including on an in-house video channel or on individual computers and tablets. The videos contain beautiful photography accompanied by soothing, relaxing instrumental music composed by Dave Combs and arranged and performed by Gary Prim.

Feel free to reach out to David Combs at Dave Combs [email protected] . Mr. Combs owns the copyrights to all of the music and photography and is granting facilities a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use these videos.
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Engagement Calls – Week of 5/25/20

CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency’s response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts.

Call details are below. Conference lines are limited so you are highly encouraged to join via audio webcast, either on your computer or smartphone web browser.

 
CMS COVID-19 Office Hours Calls (Tuesdays at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern)

Office Hour Calls provide an opportunity for hospitals, health systems, and providers to ask questions of agency officials regarding CMS’s temporary actions that empower local hospitals and healthcare systems to Increase Hospital Capacity – CMS Hospitals Without Walls; Rapidly Expand the Healthcare Workforce; Put Patients Over Paperwork; and Further Promote Telehealth in Medicare

This week’s Office Hours:
Tuesday, May 26th at 5:00 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial In: 833-614-0820; 
Access Passcode: 8977438
 
Lessons from the Front Lines: COVID-19 (Fridays at 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern)

Lessons from the Front Lines calls are a joint effort between CMS Administrator Seema Verma, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn, MD, and the White House Coronavirus Task Force. Physicians and other clinicians are invited to share their experience, ideas, strategies, and insights with one another related to their COVID-19 response. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters.

This week’s Lessons from the Front Lines:
Friday, May 29th at 12:30 – 2:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 877-251-0301; 
Access Code: 6350189
 
Weekly COVID-19 Care Site-Specific Calls

CMS hosts weekly calls for certain types of organizations to provide targeted updates on the agency’s latest COVID-19 guidance. One to two leaders in the field also share best practices with their peers. There is an opportunity to ask questions of presenters if time allows.
 
Home Health and Hospice (Tuesdays at 3:00 PM Eastern)
Tuesday, May 26th at 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; 
Access Passcode: 4666966
 
Nursing Homes (Wednesdays at 4:30 PM Eastern)
Wednesday, May 27th at 4:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; 
Access Passcode: 1243649

Dialysis Organizations (Wednesdays at 5:30 PM Eastern)
Wednesday, May 27th at 5:30 – 6:00 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; 
Access Passcode: 6152699
 
Nurses (Thursdays at 3:00 PM Eastern)
Thursday, May 28th at 3:00 – 3:30 PM Eastern
Toll Free Attendee Dial-In: 833-614-0820; 
Access Passcode: 2988422
PPE Resources
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.
Last Call - PPE Order Opportunity

PPE is still flying out the door for LifeSpan, HFAM and LeadingAge MD. Running low where you are? We have limited quantities of masks, gloves, face shields and gowns available for pickup in Columbia.

All items are certified and FDA approved. Pricing is as follows, but subject to change: KN95 masks - $2.50 ea; Gowns - $7.50 ea; Disposable gloves $29/box of 50; Face shields - $4.00 ea. Send an email to   [email protected]   with desired items & quantities. 
MEDLINE

With the significant increase in demand for medical supplies resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry continues to experience shortages of certain products, particularly Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

To meet this demand, Medline has increased production of PPE, retrofitted manufacturing facilities to produce hand sanitizer and utilized air freight to accelerate PPE transit. They have also sourced and procured several new products through “spot buys” in order to mitigate the shortages on some traditional products.

Click here to learn more or f or additional information, questions, or product assistance, contact your Medline sales representative or call 1-800-Medline.


*NEW* LOWERS RISK GROUP

LowersRiskGroup has a wide variety of COVID-19 PPE products available including masks, respirators, gloves, goggles, thermometers, gowns, and rapid test kits.



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  [email protected]


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    [email protected]


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    [email protected]    for additional information or to place an order.



CLEANING AND DISINFECTING COMPANIES

Gordon
410-739-4432


Josh Rafter
Cell: 410-458-6180


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

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.  Please see this new donning and doffing checklist.

In addition:

  • 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. 

Who are your healthcare heroes?

There are so many amazing stories of dedication, sacrifice, and compassion by long term care professionals who are going above and beyond to ensure the safety, health, and happiness of residents during this unprecedented time. These individuals are saving lives; they are heroes.

We want to hear your stories!

Please email  [email protected]   to share a current story and picture of members of your team who are going above beyond to provide quality care during this unprecedented time. 
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.