LeadingAge Minnesota

CDC, CMS Publish Updated Guidance for Healthcare IP&C in Response to COVID Vaccinations

On April 28, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated infection prevention and control recommendations in response to COVID-19 vaccinations yesterday. Following closely behind the CDC, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published two revised memos yesterday as well: QSO 20-38 and QSO 20-39. The QSO memos are revised with the recent CDC guidance updates.

CDC Call Will Provide COVID Updates for Independent Living, Adult Day

On April 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The CDC will host a call on Monday, April 19, 11 a.m. CT for LeadingAge and Argentum members to provide information and perspective on COVID-19 for independent living settings. The call will also include an update from CDC on guidance for adult day services.

CDC Updates Guidance on Well-Fitting Masks In Q&A Document

On March 3, 2021 by Kari Everson

On February 10^th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a MMWR article discussing well-fitting masks. The study shows the better a mask fits around the user’s face, the better the protection against contracting COVID-19. Methods to increase mask fitting include a mask fitter, tucking and looping a surgical or procedural mask, or wearing a cloth mask over the surgical or procedure mask.

CDC Officially Extends Eviction Moratorium

On February 3, 2021 by Bobbie Guidry

Ahead of the Jan. 31 expiration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has ordered the extension of the current eviction moratorium for non-payment of rent.

The order prevents residential evictions until March 31; tenants must self-certify eligibility for the protections. The extension keeps the moratorium largely unchanged, and tenants who previously submitted the self-certification should not have to resubmit.

In the meantime, we are advocating to quickly provide rent relief for senior housing communities impacted by COVID-19.

Minnesota Faring Well at Vaccinating Residents and Staff for COVID-19

On February 3, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently released a report on COVID-19 vaccination rates under the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program (PPP) using data submitted to the CDC from the pharmacies enrolled in that program. The report shows rates of vaccination for both residents and staff in care centers in Minnesota that exceed the national averages.

CDC Will Update NHSN to Accept Laboratory Test Results

On September 30, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

Since early May care centers have been using the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to report COVID-19 cases and related data to the CDC.

Round-Up: National Healthcare Safety Network Reporting

On June 17, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

As we enter the fifth week of nursing homes reporting to the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), we thought it would be worthwhile to highlight some of the information we’ve shared with members through our daily updates over the past couple of weeks.  

CMS Addresses Questions on Transfer Notices and Hand-Sanitizer

On May 15, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

The Minnesota Department of Health periodically receives guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on specific regulatory or survey issues, which the Department will forward to LeadingAge Minnesota and other stakeholders when applicable. This guidance typically comes in the form of an email written by the CMS Central Office in response to a question submitted by a state survey agency or a provider. This week MDH forwarded three questions-and-answers (identified with CMS tracking #s), which it described as clarifications from the Central Office. 

Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce

On November 20, 2018 by Jonathan Lips

The CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce. To date there are no cases in Minnesota, but CDC and FDA are advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any until they learn more about the outbreak.