Coronavirus Update #207
New MDH Orders, Vaccine Reminders, Eurofins Resources
New MDH Orders

Today the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released two new orders: one regarding nursing home matters and one regarding vaccination matters. Please pay close attention to language in the orders related to disaster preparation and vaccine preparation. Be sure to review these new order in detail and share with your teams.

Also today, Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference discussing more about the vaccine and it was stated that long-term care residents and staff would be a priority for vaccine distribution, along with other healthcare workers and first responders.


  • Adds daily vaccine reporting requirements on vaccinations of staff and residents via CRISP.

  • Requires nursing homes to appoint a vaccine point of contact to address coordination of vaccines with CVS/Walgreens to track staff and resident vaccinations.

  • Adds in a technical note exempting EMS/OHCQ surveyors from testing requirements for entry in to a nursing home per CMS guidance.


  • Reiterates that health care providers who already have statutory authority to administer vaccines can administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

  • Expands the scope of practice of licensed health care providers to allow them to administer COVID-19 vaccines with appropriate training.

  • Authorizes all other individuals to administer COVID-19 vaccines after receiving appropriate training and under reasonable supervision. 

  • Since some COVID-19 vaccines require dilution before being administered, the order also authorizes licensed health care providers to prepare (dilute) the vaccine after receiving training. 
AHCA/NCAL Webinar on Preparing for Vaccine Clinics

As you know, some vaccine clinics are starting as early as next week. The two first vaccines deployed will require two doses a couple of weeks apart. It is critical that you prepare now to get ready.

AHCA/NCAL will have an online seminar on the CVS and Walgreens programs this Thursday, December 10 at 4:00 PM EST. CLICK HERE to register.

AHCA/NCAL's webinar will walk you through how to get ready and promote high vaccination rates in your building. The webinar is open to everyone. Registration is required, but lines are limited. This webinar will be recorded and made available if you are not able to join live. 
CVS/Walgreens initially will be required to have three clinics in our setting to vaccinate residents, patients, and staff.  While the federal government is not requiring written consent for the vaccine, CVS and Walgreens are requiring written consent— another reason that the AHCA/NCAL call this week is so important to attend. In the meantime, please see this FAQ from AHCA/NCAL for more information.

Three important reminders:

  • Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers signed up for the CVS/Walgreens vaccination program as directed by the federal government. If there was a problem with the sign-up, the Maryland Department of Health auto enrolled skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers into the national CVS/Walgreen national vaccination plan.

  • CVS and Walgreens are calling and emailing skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers to arrange the initial clinics.

  • Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers are making operational plans for the initial clinics. Please remember, you must have written consent (we are going to have to get that from guardians for folks unable to consent).
Eurofins Resources and New Video

Eurofins, an associate HFAM member and trusted global network of laboratories is helping facilities comply with COVID-19 testing requirements for staff and residents by offering direct bill RT-PCR testing for $75 per test for HFAM members. This price includes:
 
  • Your choice of nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs
  • Test kits with the supplies needed to administer the testing, including pre-labeled return packaging materials
  • Physician ordering if needed
  • Priority shipping via FedEx of kits both to your facility and back to the lab for analysis
  • 24 hour testing turn-around time guarantee, with a partial refund if test results are late
  • Access to our user-friendly portal for electric entering and reporting
 
Eurofins also offers this testing for third party billing upon request.
 
To set up your facility, or if you have any questions, please contact Karen Gerwitz at karengerwitz@eurofinsus.com or 716-206-9874. Be sure to reference that you are an HFAM member to get the above discounted rate.
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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.