Coronavirus Update #208
Updated Hospital Partner List, Vaccine Reminders & Info, MDH Orders,
Upcoming Webinars, and Additional Updates
Updated Hospital Partner List

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, HFAM and our sector has worked closely with the individual hospitals and our trusted and supportive colleagues at the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA). Over the weekend and earlier this week, we shared a SNF-Hospital partner list complied by the MHA matching every center in Maryland with a hospital resource partner. This list has been updated, so please take a close look at this NEW LIST.

Nursing homes are paired with a hospital in their region. Many nursing homes have a relationship in place with a hospital through the medical director, ownership, or a collaborative such as ECHO or LTC Partnership. If a relationship does not exist, the nursing home is paired with its “911 hospital.” The email and phone number for the hospital’s post-acute liaison is under the contact tab. When contacted, hospitals will supply as much assistance as they are able.
Federal Vaccination Program

AHCA/NCAL Webinar Tomorrow

As you know, CVS and Walgreens will be providing COVID-19 vaccines to protect vulnerable Americans in long-term care facilities across the nation. Some vaccine clinics are starting as early a next week. It is critical that you prepare now to get ready to participate in the federal vaccination program.

AHCA/NCAL will have an online seminar on the CVS and Walgreens programs tomorrow 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. 
COVID-19 Vaccination Contact Information

HFAM is working with the Maryland Department of Health to identify contacts at each center for the federal vaccination program. Please fill out this form with contact information for your center as soon as possible. 

More Background on the Federal Vaccination Program

This Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program is free of charge and will provide complete management of the COVID-19 vaccination process. 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 tomorrow is so important to attend. In the meantime, please see this FAQ from AHCA/NCAL for more information.

Important Reminders:

  • Skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers signed up for the CVS/Walgreens vaccination program as directed by the federal government. The Maryland Department of Health has signed up all skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers into the national CVS/Walgreen vaccination plan and expects all facilities to participate. 

  • 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).
Reminder: New MDH Orders

Yesterday, 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.


  • 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. 
Project ECHO COVID-19 Webinar

Project ECHO COVID-19 Global Learning Conversations is offering the following webinar. Please see the flyer attached for more information.
 
Antibody Treatments
Thursday December 10
2:30-4:00 pm ET 
 
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment has been authorized by the US FDA for emergency use application for COVID-19 patients. This session provides an overview of the results of recent clinical trials, updates on treatment efficacy and lessons learned from clinical administration in outpatient and LTC settings.
Upcoming Webinar: Key Insights to Prepare for CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Compliance and Enforcement

Join Baker Donelson on Tuesday, December 15 as they provide guidance related to key aspects for the compliance obligations and enforcement considerations related to the COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund. This webinar will provide an overview of the PRF, review the terms and conditions for those that accepted funding, highlight reporting requirements and guidelines, in addition to offering what we can expect in terms of audits and future enforcements. You may submit questions in advance when you register for the program.

Tuesday, December 15
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. ET
Other COVID-19 Updates

HHS Seeking Examples of Innovative Responses to COVID-19: HHS has published a Request for Information (RFI) on effective and innovative approaches/best practices in health care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

CMS Issues New Nursing Facility COVID Testing FAQs: CMS has released FAQs related to new guidance on testing in nursing facilities. The FAQs address long-standing questions posed from providers. Read More
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.
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.