MDH Releases New Resources for LTC Providers for Testing & Reporting

Posted on October 28, 2020 by Kari Everson

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health published two new resources to assist members with testing and reporting requirements. 

The first document is entitled Reporting Point of Care COVID-19 Test Results through the CDC National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), which confirms that federally certified nursing facilities are required to report point of care (POC) COVID-19 test results, including antigen test results, through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Long-term Care Facility (LTCF) COVID-19 Module.

As previously reported, every LTCF conducting POC antigen testing must continue to report to Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) until NHSN reporting aligns with state reporting requirements. MDH is working with CDC to determine whether the NHSN reporting pathway can also meet Minnesota State reporting requirements, but MDH has not made a determination on this issue yet.

The second resource is Essential Resources and Forms for COVID-19 Testing and Case Management in Long-Term Care Facilities. This document is a table summarizing resources, online forms, and templates that are essential to member’s testing and case management plans for both nursing homes and HWS/HC/AL.