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News related to "covid-19"
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Updated COVID-19 Information for AL and Nursing Homes
On May 22, 2025 by Kari Everson
LeadingAge Minnesota received an increasing volume of inquiries over the past several months regarding the ongoing COVID-19 requirements in both nursing homes and assisted living communities. In response, LeadingAge Minnesota has updated its materials to encompass a broader respiratory illness framework that includes both COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.
NHSN Revises Definition of “Up To Date” for COVID-19 Vaccination
On March 21, 2024 by Kari Everson
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) revised its definition of "up to date" for COVID-19 vaccine reporting in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
Assisted Living Communities and the Latest CDC Guidelines: What You Need to Know
On March 21, 2024 by Kari Everson
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated respiratory virus recommendations for the public.
MDH Offers One-Time PPE Request Opportunity
On November 30, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is currently offering a one-time disbursement of personal protective equipment (PPE) to improve infection prevention capacity in assisted living organizations and nursing homes.
NHSN Quality Alert Errors
On September 28, 2023 by Kari Everson
The National Health and Safety Network (NHSN) appears to be generating inaccurate quality alerts for the Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Module for long-term care facility residents.
CDC and MDH Show Uptick in COVID-19 Cases
On August 31, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting an increase in COVID-19 cases as of last week. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) COVID-19 status update shows Minnesota’s cases are increasing, especially in people 85 and older.
It’s Time to Transition Your Temporary Nurse Aides
On July 27, 2023 by Anna Mowry
Temporary nurse aides hired or who worked under the 1135 waiver have until Sept. 11 to be added to the Minnesota Nursing Assistant Registry. LeadingAge Minnesota is here to help providers with this transition process.
Aerosol Generating Procedures Post-PHE
On June 15, 2023 by Kari Everson
Healthcare organizations used N95 or higher-level respirators for all aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) as a transmission mitigation strategy throughout the public health emergency (PHE).
COVID-19 Facility Risk Assessment Updated
On June 8, 2023 by Kari Everson
LeadingAge Minnesota updated the COVID-19 Facility Risk Assessment and Workbook to reflect a change in the metrics published by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Dining and Activity Visitor Attendance
On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently clarified with LeadingAge Minnesota when families and visitors can share a meal with a resident in the dining room or attend activities. According to MDH, organizations should continue infection prevention and control practices and complete a facility risk assessment to determine visitor attendance in congregate dining settings and activities.
New Resource Available! COVID-19 Facility Assessment Policy Template
On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson
LeadingAge Minnesota has added a COVID-19 facility assessment policy template to the resource library as a companion document to the facility assessment workbook provided last week.
Post-Survey Feedback Opportunity
On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson
Beginning June 5, onsite surveys and investigations will include an electronic provider feedback form to help provide information for the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) continuous improvement.
CMS To Discontinue Vaccine Mandate
On June 1, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will discontinue the nursing home staff vaccination mandate in early August.
Facility Assessment and Broader Use of Source Control Post Public Health Emergency
On May 18, 2023 by Kari Everson
New information released over the last week directs each nursing home and assisted living in conducting a COVID-19 facility assessment to determine whether a broader source control practice is needed. LeadingAge Minnesota has created a sample COVID-19 facility assessment to aid in implementing the new practices.
Permanent Remote Adult Day Services Option Available July 1
On May 11, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
Remote adult day services will be a permanent option for licensed adult day services providers beginning July 1.
CDC Published Updated COVID-19 Guidance
On May 8, 2023 by Kari Everson
Updated from original content posted on Monday, May 8
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. The CDC updated sections on recommendations for universal source control and admission testing and added an appendix section to help organizations determine when to implement broader use of source control. In response to the CDC guidance release, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update to QSO 20-39-NH REVISED, essentially adopting the CDC guidance.
CDC Updates mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines
On April 27, 2023 by Kari Everson
On April 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidance for mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Going forward, bivalent vaccines will be administered for all immunization doses, and the monovalent (original) vaccine is no longer available. This updated guidance does not include Novovax or Johnson and Johnson Janssen. These continue to be monovalent vaccines, and the schedule remains the same.
CDC COVID-19 Vaccine Changes
On April 20, 2023 by Kari Everson
On April 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released simplified vaccine recommendations. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met yesterday to discuss updated COVID-19 vaccine changes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended emergency use authorizations (EUA) for Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech products earlier this week.
Waiver and Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Renewals at the End of PHE Continuous Coverage Period
On April 13, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry
On April 7, the Minnesota Department of Human Services released Bulletin #23-21-08: DHS Announces Key MHCP Eligibility Policies during the Unwinding Period (PDF), which announces timelines for restarting Medical Assistance renewals after Public Health Emergency continuous coverage requirements end. These timelines also apply to reassessments for waiver and AC programs, including financial eligibility redeterminations for the AC program.
QSO Updates Enforcement for Infection Control Citations
On April 6, 2023 by Kari Everson
On March 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-23-10-NH, which rescinds QSO-20-31-NH and provides updated guidance on enforcement for infection control non-compliance. As a result, enforcement actions are more severe than before when cited under F880 and/or F887.