COVID-19 Update #283
HFAM Update

Friends:
 
First, let's take a moment to honor you and your teams for the quality care you provide to Marylanders in need while we navigate better days of the COVID-19 pandemic and look ahead to the long road of recovery. To be sure, we all face many challenges in the days, months, and years to come. But with clear goals, unity, determination, and a focus on quality, we will get through the challenges together. 

Thanks to your teams, all you've learned, and vaccination, outbreaks in our setting remain very low (single digits).  That said, with the rise of the Delta Variant and its potential to harm unvaccinated people, we must remain just as vigilant as ever!
 
A Few General Updates
 
  • Click here for our earlier our HFAM/AHCA update on quality programs. It all begins with quality care for people in need; caring professionals on your team employed by each of you. 

  • The Berkeley Group has been retained by the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to produce an accurate, short and yet detailed COVID-19 pandemic after-action report. HFAM and other sector leaders will likely assist in his outreach to providers in our space.
 
Prevent Potential Penalties - Register for ImmuNet
 
  • The most recent Maryland Department of Health (MDH) amended nursing home matters order requires that all skilled nursing facilities register in ImmuNet as a COVID-19 providers by July 15, 2021. Once centers are registered, they can receive COVID-19 vaccines directly.

  • It is required that you register ASAP and before the July 15 deadline. With ongoing vaccination efforts and the most recent nursing home orders, it is more critical than ever that your center registers with ImmuNet.

 
AHCA/NCAL Requests OSHA Delay ETS Enforcement
 
  • ​AHCA/NCAL sent a letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting they delay compliance on their recently released Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and extend a comment period.
 
  • Employers must comply with most of these standards by July 6, 2021. There are exceptions to the sections on physical barriers, ventilation, and training, which must comply by July 21, 2021. AHCA/NCAL has requested at least an additional six months for compliance. While many of these standards are already in place in provider’s communities, some of the new standards require a level of resources many facilities do not currently have available and will take extended time to fully implement. 
 
  • Additionally, AHCA/NCAL requested OHSA extend the comment deadline by an additional 30 days, through August 20 to gather member input and provide adequate feedback. Members are encouraged to review the new resources​ provided by OSHA to help with ETS compliance.​
 
PRF Reporting Portal Now Open
 
  • The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is now open for providers to report fund use for April 10, 2020 through June 30, 2020. Providers who received one or more PRF payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, during this time have until September 30, 2021 to submit the initial report. 

  • See more below in this update for more details.
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.
Joe DeMattos
President & CEO
PRF Reporting Portal Now Open

The Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Reporting Portal is now open for providers to report fund use for April 10, 2020 through June 30, 2020. Providers who received one or more PRF payments exceeding $10,000, in the aggregate, during this time have until September 30, 2021 to submit the initial report.

Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – released updated PRF reporting requirements. The updates provided more reporting time, reducing burdens on smaller providers and extending key deadlines for expending PRF payments received after June 30, 2020.

HRSA has released several new resources to support efforts as you begin the reporting process, including a Data Entry Workbook, Reporting-specific FAQs, and Submitting Reporting Information user guide. Additionally, HRSA will host a recorded webcast on Thursday, July 8 at 3 PM Eastern to provide technical assistance on reporting requirements for PRF recipients and stakeholders. Be sure to register.

You are encouraged to register in the reporting portal in advance of your relevant Reporting Time Period dates; registration is required before reporting. This takes approximately 20 minutes and must be completed in one session. HRSA has developed a Registration User Guide to assist.

As a reminder, the reporting timelines are as follows:
The HRSA Provider Support Line is available at (866) 569-3522 (TTY dial 711) for questions. Hours of operation are 8 AM to 10 PM Central, Monday through Friday. Additional updates and resources from AHCA/NCAL will be shared as they become available.
Project Firstline

We are partnering with the Maryland Department of Health and Health Quality Innovators (HQI) to let you know about a new free infection prevention learning initiative from the CDC called Project Firstline. Project Firstline aims to spread infection control learning opportunities to front line workers in the healthcare field, even those without a clinical background.
 
Project Firstline’s CDC-developed training and engagement opportunities include short, accessible training videos, virtual interactive events, and telementoring to ensure every worker in every healthcare setting is empowered with the science and reasoning behind essential infection control practices, and can confidently apply those practices to protect themselves, their facility, their family, and their community.
 
Please forward the Learning Needs Assessment survey link below to any employees who might benefit from infection prevention education. Responses may be anonymous and will help direct learning resources to those who can help stop the spread of infectious diseases.
 
Project Firstline Learning Needs Assessment Link: https://redcap.link/lqu3olbl
 
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Lynne Layug (llayug@hqi.solutions) at HQI.
Nursing Home Media Toolkit

Check out the new Nursing Home Media Toolkit from the Maryland Department of Health. The password to access the materials is Vaccine2021.

Please use the materials in this media toolkit to spread the word about vaccination with staff.

You'll find flyers, ads, social media posts, videos, and posters. 
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!
#Get Vaccinated
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AHCA/NCAL Get Vaccinated campaign now has a dedicated website –getvaccinated.us – to help educate and encourage caregivers and staff at long-term care facilities to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The website includes credible information from medical professionals, public health officials, and scientists to help answer common questions about the vaccines among staff members and other individuals.
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Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
Health Facilities Association of Maryland WW.HFAM.ORG