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News related to "covid-19"
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HHS Announces Plan to Begin Offering COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters in September
On August 18, 2021 by Kari Everson
In a Joint Statement issued today, Health and Human Services (HHS) officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and other agencies announced plans to begin offering COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to all Americans beginning the week of Sept. 20 and starting eight months after an individual’s second dose.
Argentum Announces Support for Employer Mandates of COVID-19 Vaccination
On August 11, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Argentum has joined the ranks of national organizations supporting employer mandates of COVID-19 vaccinations for the senior living workforce. The Argentum Board of Directors voted unanimously to support this action, and the organization has publicly issued a statement.
MDH Issues New Recommendations on Protective Actions for Adult Day Services
On August 11, 2021 by Roni Falck
On Aug. 4, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) posted a document communicating recommended protective actions in residential and non-residential settings licensed by DHS in light of the Delta variant. The new guidance provides recommendations on testing, masking, and other protective actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Resilience Tips: Be What You Want to See
On August 4, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology
We live in a culture that rewards many things, some positive and some that tax our resilience. As health care workers during an ongoing pandemic, we might be especially prone to burning the candle at both ends to hold it all together at work and home.
MDH Updates COVID-19 Testing Recommendations
On August 4, 2021 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) release new testing recommendations for long-term care providers on Monday, Aug. 3.
The Delta variant is more easily transmissible and spreads faster than the original COVID-19 virus or other variants, primarily among unvaccinated and vulnerable individuals. Data shows most COVID-19 cases in long-term care organizations are brought in by staff members. With the Delta variant, the dominant strain in Minnesota, there is risk for increased infection in our settings.
Vaccination Rates Moving Slowly Toward Goal for LTC Staff
On July 28, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The most recent Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) update on long-term care vaccination shows slow progress toward the goal rates continuing for staff, while resident rates remain outstanding.
Tracking the Status of Key COVID Waivers
On July 28, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
With Minnesota's COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency ending July 1, a question on members' minds is what waivers are still in place and for how long.
CDC Highlights On-Going COVID Risks and Prevention Strategies
On July 28, 2021 by Kari Everson
We have experienced a significant decrease in COVID-19 cases in the spring and early summer compared to the beginning of the year. Unfortunately, during the middle of July, COVID-19 case numbers have spiked, with an approximately 300% increase in cases nationally.
Resilience Tips: From Full Mind to Mindful
On July 21, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology
As a senior care employee at any level, we have busy lives and many pressures from different directions that we absorb every day. In leadership, there are pressures to complete your administrative tasks and also support your staff to be compassionate and productive. The number of things on your mind can seem to soar to new levels with each email or conversation.
New CDC Guidance for Adult Day Services
On July 21, 2021 by Roni Falck
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued updated guidance for Adult Day Services providers focused on masking and vaccination status.
COVID-19 Relief Funds: What Are You Required to Report to DHS?
On July 21, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The Department of Human Services (DHS) will require care centers to report the use of COVID-19 relief funds by Aug. 2. To help you comply with these new requirements, we are offering a Payment Coaching Room for care centers members.
Effective Date for OSHA COVID-19 Standard Is Drawing Near
On July 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry published a notice on July 19 (Page 31) that it has adopted the federal OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to protect healthcare workers from COVID-19. With this publication, the ETS is now effective in Minnesota and will remain in effect for up to six months. During that period, MN-OSHA invites comments about the standard, and LeadingAge Minnesota will submit a memo to the agency in the weeks ahead.
You’re Invited: ECHO Sessions Revisit COVID-19 Clinical Content
On July 14, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
The Upper Midwest Nursing Home COVID-19 ECHO Collaborative continues to host ECHO sessions, revisiting clinical topics related to COVID-19 with updated information about virus variants and newer treatment options. Additionally, these sessions address topics on leadership and ways to support residents, staff and families. Participants from skilled facilities and assisted living facilities are invited to join.
LeadingAge National Advocates for Members on CMS Vaccination Rule
On July 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
On behalf of members across the country, the LeadingAge national team has submitted comments to CMS on the recently-issued rule requiring nursing homes to offer COVID-19 vaccine to residents and staff, to educate residents and staff regarding the benefits and potential side effects of the vaccine, and to report COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics treatment information to NSHN.
Vaccination Rates for LTC Staff Moving Slowly Toward Goal
On July 14, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The most recent Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) update on long-term care vaccination shows slow progress toward the goal rates continuing for staff, while resident rates remain outstanding.
MDH Confirms Continuation of Nursing Assistant Training and Competency Waiver
On July 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
With the end of Minnesota’s Peacetime Emergency, our team has been closely tracking how the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will manage the transition from various COVID-19 related waivers. Last Friday, we received the welcome news that a Minnesota statute addressing nursing assistant training and competency will continue to be waived, so long as CMS continues to waive the related federal requirement.
Effective Date for OSHA COVID-19 Standard Is Drawing Near for Minnesota Providers
On July 14, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
As members are aware, federal OSHA issued an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on June 21 to protect health care and health care support service workers from occupational exposure to COVID-19.
State Initiates Demobilization of Emergency Support Services
On July 7, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
This week, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) initiated a plan to demobilize COVID-19 emergency services for long-term care providers over the next several months. Noting significant progress in the fight against the virus, the SEOC has set a timeline for winding down services relating to crisis staffing support, personal protective equipment (PPE), testing/swabbing services, and vaccination administration support.
Private Room Waiver Ending
On July 7, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
With the conclusion of the state peacetime emergency agreed to by lawmakers last week, one of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) policies that ends with it is a waiver of specific requirements around single rooms. Because of the frequency of quarantining of residents during the pandemic, DHS released a memo in November of 2020 that waived two policies around single rooms for quarantine situations:
Resilience Tips: Post-Traumatic Growth
On July 7, 2021 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn from Associated Clinic of Psychology
Undoubtedly, everyone has been impacted by COVID-19. For those of us in senior care facilities, the likelihood that we've experienced trauma is high—the pandemic provided "collective" traumatic experiences.