Friends:
 
This week Walgreens will complete its last two vaccination clinics in Maryland skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and assisted living campuses as part of the federal/state program rolled out last December. These centers were last-minute add-ons. The CVS vaccine clinics have been done for weeks.
 
In recent weeks, Maryland National Guard bridge teams have administered vaccines to residents, patients, and staff in 138 centers throughout the State. We expect Maryland National Guard vaccination efforts to continue until mid-June.
 
As centers work with the Guard in this effort, it is critical that that they provide information and complete consent forms for ONLY the individuals to be vaccinated on the day of the clinic. Please do not provide information and consent forms for all new employees, residents, and patients who need vaccinated.
 
Since December, about 55,000 residents, staff, and patients in Maryland skilled nursing centers have been vaccinated. On average, about 76 percent of residents have been vaccinated and about 63 percent of staff have been vaccinated.
 
Together, we must increase staff uptake of the vaccine and work with the state, hospital partners, and long-term care pharmacies to ensure new patients and residents are vaccinated. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will begin to publish vaccination rates at specific centers and campuses in the near term.
 
After the National Guard teams complete their vaccination bridging work, our centers will get vaccine doses from their long-term care pharmacy or via direct allocation from the federal or state government.
 
  • ACTION ITEM #1: As we have previously shared, it is a state priority for all nursing homes to register with ImmuNet. Once centers are registered, they can receive vaccines directly. 
 
  • ACTION ITEM #2: As of this update, only 60 percent of Remedi’s current post-acute and long-term care clients have signed a COVID-19 vaccination agreement with the pharmacy. It is urgent that clients of Remedi, OmniCare, and the MHA Pharmacy Collaborative finalize agreements as soon as possible to provide vaccines in the near term.
 
We will distribute MDH step-by-step guidelines on vaccination going forward in skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and assisted living campuses in the coming days.
 
Onward together!  
Joe DeMattos
President & CEO
HFAM

Kevin Heffner
President & CEO
LifeSpan Network

Allison Ciborowski 
President & CEO
LeadingAge Maryland
National Skilled Nursing Care Week
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The theme for National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNC​​W) 2021 is "Together Through the Seasons." NSNCW will take place May 9-15, 2021, and the theme​ will honor the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing care facilities and their staff in providing compassionate care to their residents during this unprecedented time. 
Over the past year, despite the challenges of the pandemic, skilled care centers and their staff have shown an incredible and steadfast commitment to providing quality care and ensuring the safety of their residents. 

NSNCW 2021 will focus on this collective effort and the amazing strength and dedication of those who work tirelessly every day to care for and protect frail, elderly, and disabled adults in long term care. With each new season comes new beginnings, new strategies, and new information. Together we will get through this and together we will begin to heal. 

The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person October 4 – 7, 2021 at the Maryland Live Hotel and Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Hundreds of long-term care leaders will connect, share best practices and discuss actionable insights on how we can reflect, reform, rebuild, and revolutionize quality care. You and your teams will not want to miss this opportunity as we come together again.

Visit the conference website to learn more and register.
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