COVID-19 UPDATE #193
September 28, 2021
ALTSA TO HOST WEBINAR ON UPDATES TO SAFE START FOR LTC
Given the recent changes in the CDC guidance related to health care settings, a recent addition in the law regarding Essential Support Persons, and a recent update to the masking requirements in Washington State, DSHS and DOH recognized the need to work with stakeholders to update the Safe Start for Long Term Care Plans. In preparation for the release of the updates, DSHS and DOH will be offering two presentations to give providers the opportunity to learn more about the updates and to ask questions. Providers are invited to join one of the sessions. Please note the Thursday presentation is the weekly session already provided by DSHS and DOH with the time extended to allow for Q&A. If you already participate in those weekly calls, you do NOT need to sign up again. Please join the call using the same link you regularly use.
DSHS NOTIFIES PROVIDERS OF POTENTIAL CONCERN IN BYD AND 3M RESPIRATORS
In a Dear Administrator letter dated September 24, 2021, all providers are notified of concerns about both BYD DE2322 N95 and 3M 8210 respirators. DSHS learned that BYD published a recall notice dated July 27, 2021. A small subset of model DE2322 N95 respiratory units may have a decrease in particle filtration efficiency (PFE) slightly below 95%. Affected lot and serial numbers are published in the recall notice. The letter outlines the following required action to ensure you do not have any of the recalled respirators:
  • Look at your PPE supply.
  • Compare the lot and serial numbers on the box to lot and serial numbers listed in the recall notice.
  • Stop using any respirators if the lot and serial number match the BYD recall list.

The letter also notes during the pandemic, DSHS used and distributed the 3M 8210 respirators. DSHS learned that 3M published a counterfeit alert dated August 9, 2021. Lot codes or suspected counterfeit products are published in the 3M counterfeit alert letter. This is not a product recall. Regarding these products, please take the the following action:
  • Look at your PPE supply.
  • Set aside 3M 8210 respirator boxes with lot codes listed in the 3M counterfeit alert letter.
  • Do not use the set aside 3M 8210 respirators unless you can confirm they are legitimate 3M products.

The letter also reminds providers to always follow your training for inspecting and wearing PPE. If you have questions, you can reach out to Katherine Ander via email.
DSHS FILES EMERGENCY RULES FOR CERTIFICATION DEADLINES AND RESUMPTION OF TRAINING IN AL
The Governor's proclamation suspending long term care worker training outlined in WAC 388-112A is still in effect. The following trainings continue to be required for those credentialed caregivers who perform delegated tasks, even with the proclamation in place:
  • Nurse Delegation Core
  • Nurse Delegation Focus on Diabetes

House Bill 1120 gave DSHS statutory authority to extend timelines for training requirements during a State of Emergency. DSHS, including ALTSA/HCS/RCS and DDA, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), has reached agreement on training and certification timelines.  

Unless a worker is exempt from training as described in WAC 388-71-0839 or WAC 388-112A-0090, employees hired during the COVID-19 emergency must complete basic training, and required specialty training, as follows.  Please encourage all employees who need training/certification to begin the process as soon as possible.
WORKER HIRED OR REHIRED DURING THE TIMEFRAME OF:
MUST COMPLETE BASIC TRAINING NO LATER THAN:
8/17/2019 to 9/30/2020
10/1/2020 to 4/30/2021
5/1/2021 to 3/31/2022
After 3/31/2022
4/30/2022
6/30/2022
8/31/2022
Standard Training Requirement
For workers who are required to be certified as home care aides, certification must be obtained as follows:
WORKER HIRED OR REHIRED DURING THE TIMEFRAME OF:
MUST BE CERTIFIED AS A HOME CARE AIDE NO LATER THAN:
8/17/2019 to 9/30/2020
10/1/2020 to 4/30/2021
5/1/2021 to 3/31/2022
After 3/31/2022
7/19/2022
9/18/2022
11/19/2022
Based on Hire Date
A long-term care worker is considered “rehired” if they held previous employment as a long-term care worker and did not have an active home care aide credential when hired during the time frames outlined above. If a long-term care worker is limited-English proficient, the worker may request an additional sixty days to obtain certification.
Emergency Rule for Continuing Education (CE) Training
We know that there are workers who were unable to complete required CE since training requirements were suspended. The department also recognizes that long term care workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic required emergent, intensive, and ongoing on-the-job training in the use of PPE, sanitation, health screening and more.

All long term care workers employed for any duration between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, are granted 12 hours of DSHS-approved continuing education credit for the training entitled "COVID-19 On-The-Job Training Protocols," bearing the DSHS approval code CE2135218. No physical certificate for this training will be issued or required. The hours must be applied as any other continuing education hours and to a single renewal period as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.

Additionally, all long term care workers will have 120 days from the end of the public health emergency to complete any additional CE that may have become due while training waivers were in place in excess of the 12 hours of CE granted for on-the-job training. For example:

Caregiver with birthday in December
  • December 2018 – December 2019 = Caregiver was in compliance.
  • December 2019 – December 2020 = Six hours earned somehow = caregiver has 120 days after the PHE ends to make up the other six.
  • December 2020 – 2021 = Covered completely by COVID CE.
  • December 2021 – 2022 = 12 more hours needed.

Questions about emergency rules regarding training and continuing education can be addressed to Dave Chappell via email.
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.