COVID-19 UPDATE #226
February 4, 2022
CMS OKs NURSING HOME TESTING FOR VISITORS BUT SAYS FACILITIES MUST PROVIDE THE TESTS
An article in Skilled Nursing News shares information on an announcement made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allowing nursing homes to require testing as a condition of visitation but noting the facility must provide the testing options to do so.

Experts from CMS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosted a nursing home stakeholder call on February 2, 2022, and provided updates on COVID-19, revisions to nursing home guidance, and best practices. They also hosted a question and answer session during the call. The recording of that stakeholder call is here. The passcode for this recording is: 4fyw+L1t (case sensitive).
CMS ISSUES LETTER ON THE IMPORTANCE OF COVID-19 STAFF VACCINATIONS IN SNFs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure issued a letter to health care facility administrators on the importance of COVID-19 staff vaccinations and the current CMS requirements. CMS recommends that facilities review the vaccine rule guidance released on December 28, 2021, January 14, 2022, and January 20, 2022, for additional information. 
CMS UPDATES NURSING HOME VISITATION FAQs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released an updated version of the Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
The updates provide important clarifications, such as: 
  • Suggestions on how to conduct visits that reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. 
  • Best practices for improving air quality to reduce risks during visitation. 
  • Ways a facility can improve and/or manage air flow during visitation. 
  • Availability of funding for environmental changes, which reduce the transmission of COVID-19. Facilities can request CMP reinvestment funds to purchase portable fans and portable room air cleaners with HEPA filters. 
  • Visitor testing as a condition of entering a facility. 

Facilities are still required to comply with our Washington State LTC Safe Start Plans, as well as RCS Guidance regarding dining in LTC settings and Holiday Visitation. If you have questions, please email Elena Madrid or call her at (800) 562-6170, extension 105.
CDC RELEASES UPDATED INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL GUIDANCE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated two health care infection prevention and control guidance documents, including:  

Updates have also been made in these guidance documents to align with prior updates made for health care personnel with higher-risk exposures in the Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-COV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2. These CDC updates are currently under review with the DOH and they will be updating their guidelines soon.
DOH PRESS RELEASE: SOME IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS SHOULD RECEIVE FOUR DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINE
People who are immunocompromised are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. In a press release from the Department of Health (DOH), they explain a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine can help some people with weakened immune systems be less likely to catch COVID-19 and get severely ill. Certain individuals who are immunocompromised may receive up to four doses of COVID-19 vaccine, which includes two primary doses of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), an additional primary dose, and a booster dose.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.