Friends:

Happy Mother’s Day to those who celebrate. This weekend we celebrate mothers and those in motherly roles. I’ve always loved holidays – traditional, religious, and secular ones like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. I love these holidays because they allow us to pause and come together with friends and family.

This past week we have been celebrating Teachers and Nurses. This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day. And next week we celebrate National Skilled Nursing Care Week. It is no mistake that these celebrations line up in this way. All of these professions and roles are incredibly challenging, incredibly important, and incredibly rewarding. We would like to make a moment to pause and applaud those teachers, nurses, mothers, and nursing home healthcare heroes who we are honored to work among. Your dedication, compassion, and sacrifice does not go unnoticed.

As I reflect on this, having been blessed to visit with nursing home staff this week, I am overwhelmed by the love, hope, smiles, and lifted spirits of those I was fortunate to share time with recently. What a difference a year makes.

Healthcare heroes have been driven by their compassion and dedication over this tragic and historic year. Now, we are all driven by the hope that vaccination brings for a return to normalcy, connection, and brighter days ahead.

So as we approach this Mother’s Day and National Skilled Nursing Care Week, consider this question:  With hope and love being the best gift we can currently give, isn’t getting vaccinated the best way to show we care?

As always:
  • Focus on what is in your control and not what is out of your control.
  • Overcommunicate.
  • Adapt and innovate.
  • Rely on your partnerships.
  • Speak up when you need help.
  • Double efforts on infectious disease protocols, training, and operations.
  • Take and document your action; keep a timeline.
  • CLICK HERE for the Dr. Katz Video, and please see the Donning and Doffing Checklist we have been sharing.

Be well,
Joe DeMattos
President & CEO
HFAM


Kevin Heffner
President & CEO
LifeSpan Network


Allison Ciborowski 
President & CEO
LeadingAge Maryland
MDH Webinar Recap

Yesterday, 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:

  • COVID-19 Epi Summary
  • Maryland, CDC, and CMS Updates
  • FAQs
  • Q&A

You can also view the webinar's PowerPoint presentation here and the chat box here.
CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Calls

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) holds frequent COVID-19-related calls for nursing home stakeholders. Important and updated information on topics ranging from visitation to the vaccine can be discussed on these calls, and questions participants have can be answered. You can access these calls on their website.  

This page also holds all Partner Relations Group (PRG) podcasts, transcripts, and audio recordings. CMS makes Open Door Forums and other presentations available as audio podcasts. The podcasts are available free of charge.  

For any questions, please contact PRG at PARTNERSHIP@cms.hhs.gov. ​
CDC Updating and Simplifying NHSN Modules

Based on the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased availability of vaccines, and feedback from long-term care (LTC) facilities and National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) users, the CDC is updating and simplifying the NHSN modules on weekly reporting of COVID-19 vaccination data for LTC facility residents and health care personnel.

To review these updates to the NHSN Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Modules for LTC facilities, NHSN will host one live training webinar and four re-broadcasts of the webinar. The training is designed for facilities who are currently using these NHSN modules and facilities that are new to reporting these data.
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.
Thank you to our current sponsors!
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