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News related to "covid-19"
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Assisted Living Licensure Technical Changes Legislation Advances in 7th Special Session
On December 16, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
Legislature Adjourns without Bridge Funding for LTC COVID-19 Response
The Minnesota Legislature met yesterday for the seventh special session of 2020, required as the Governor extended the Peacetime Emergency for another 30 days, and to pass the latest round of COVID-19 relief. A $216 million COVID 19 relief package received bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and is on its way to the Governor for his signature. The bill includes:
New Confirmed COVID-19 Case Guidance for ADS Centers
On December 9, 2020 by Roni Falck
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently released guidance for Adult Day Centers relating to policies and processes for confirmed cases of COVID-19 amongst staff and participants. The new guidance must be added to each center’s COVID-19 Preparedness Plans and includes the following elements:
COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Vaccination Education
On December 9, 2020 by Terri Foley
Two COVID-19 vaccines are close to being approved for Emergency Use Authorization by the FDA. To help you prepare staff and residents for vaccination availability, here are some tools to customize.
Building Team Resilience During COVID-19: Nurturing for Self and Team
On December 9, 2020 by LeadingAge
Featuring Dr. Alyson VanAhn, Associated Clinic of Psychology
Our focus this week is on providing small doses of nurturing—for yourself and your team— in order to build resilience for all. In addition to the compliments we discussed in last week’s article, a focus on what’s most nurturing at a basic level can be very helpful to restore a sense of comfort in the most difficult times.
Be a Safe Care Hero: Get Vaccinated
On December 9, 2020 by Julie Apold
Safe Care Vaccine Campaign Underway
The COVID-19 vaccine is coming, but we know that it will not be effective if people don’t get vaccinated. Over the coming weeks we will be promoting the importance of getting vaccinated through the Safe Care for Seniors Living the Pledge Campaign.
COVID-19 Screening Protocol Changes
On December 9, 2020 by Kari Everson
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) modified how surveyors should look at staff screening procedures and they have removed the requirement for active screening. Requirements for the organization in reference to staff screening include the need for a screening process that all staff must complete prior to or at the beginning of their shift.
MDH Issues Vaccine Prioritization Guidance
On December 9, 2020 by Kari Everson
First Phase to Include Healthcare Personnel and LTC Residents
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued two documents on Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020 discussing several topics regarding vaccines. Recommendations for initial Phase 1a vaccination include healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
CMS Updates Nursing Home Infection Control Survey Tools
On December 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
CMS last week posted updates to several nursing home survey tools and documents:
Updated Quarantine Guidance
On December 2, 2020 by Kari Everson
Information is circulating that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is updating its quarantine guidance to say quarantine can be shortened to 7 days if the individual is asymptomatic and has a COVID negative test.
Not too late! Register for the Pharmacy Provider Program (PPP) by Dec. 4
On December 2, 2020 by Kari Everson
Long-term care providers were asked to sign up with a pharmacy partner to administer vaccines to residents when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. The PPP program sign-up deadline has passed and LeadingAge Minnesota recently received several questions about what to do if an organization was unable to sign up for the PPP program within previous deadline.
If you have not signed up with a pharmacy vaccine partner and would still like to, please email MDH at health.covid.vaccine@state.mn.us as soon as possible. MDH and CDC would like this finalized by the end of day on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020.
Billing Guidance for Care Center Staff Testing
On December 2, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Due to the overlapping mandates for testing of staff and residents during outbreaks and of staff based on the positivity rate in the county, the Long-term Care Imperative has been working with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) on clarifying how staff testing should be billed when both requirements apply.
MDH Updates Guidance on Return to Work by Healthcare Personnel Exposed to COVID-19
On December 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) shared updated information this week on the issue of whether a healthcare worker who experiences a high risk exposure to COVID-19, but who is asymptomatic and has not tested positive for the virus, may return to work prior to the end of his or her 14-day quarantine if staffing needs are acute. The information is consistent with prior guidance from MDH, but we want to be sure members have access to the latest published standards on this and on the related issue of asymptomatic staff who have tested positive.
Long-term Care Residents to be Included in Phase 1A COVID-19 Vaccine Plan
On December 2, 2020 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) held an emergency meeting on Dec. 1 to review allocation recommendations for vaccines in phase 1 distribution. The advisory committee voted to include resident’s of long-term care communities in Phase 1A of vaccination. Long-term care residents now join healthcare workers in Phase 1A vaccination recommendations. For more information on ACIP you can visit the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices website.
MDH Releases Guidance on Quarantine for Residents Leaving LTC for Non-Medically Necessary Outings
On November 25, 2020 by Kari Everson
Today the Minnesota Department of Health published guidance entitled “Long-term Care Guidance Under Executive Order 20-99” specific to residents who leave a long-term care building for reasons other than essential medical appointments. The document references the Governor’s executive order 20-99 and makes the following points:
Building Team Resilience: Catching Ourselves Doing Well
On November 25, 2020 by LeadingAge
Our focus this week is on “Recognizing Wins” via complimenting and expressing appreciation. During a time when the “right” course is often illusive even when working hard to avoid making mistakes, people need to be reminded when they are doing well. More importantly, people need to hear they are a valuable member of your team. This helps us all keep going despite the significant stress.
MDH Data Shows Impact of Recent Community Spread on Long-Term Care
On November 25, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The recent surge of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota has had a significant impact on long-term care, after many months of reduced cases and deaths after the spring wave. The new wave has created unprecedented staffing challenges for providers due to infected and exposed staff needing to miss work, and the impact is being felt throughout the state as opposed to the mostly Twin Cities-based outbreaks in the spring. Deaths in long-term care have risen in recent months after being at very low levels for months.
CMS, CDC and QIOs Proactively Calling Nursing Homes
On November 25, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Minnesota nursing homes may be receiving calls with questions and offers of assistance from CMS, CDC, or Superior Health, the Medicare Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) serving Minnesota. The LeadingAge national team recently passed along this information from CMS about non-regulatory outreach currently underway:
Governor Walz Takes Creative Approach to Long-Term Care Staffing Shortages
On November 25, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
In recognition of severe staffing shortages facing assisted living providers and nursing homes in Minnesota, the Chief of Staff to Governor Walz yesterday sent a message to 36,000 state employees, asking them to consider volunteering for a potential redeployment to help long-term care residents and facilities at some point in the future. “We could need assistance in communities across the state, particularly in Greater Minnesota,” the message noted. “Facilities could make use of any RNs, LPNs, or Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs). No prior experience is required. If needed, we will provide CNA training prior to deployment.”
DHS Waives Physician Signature Requirement for Single Room Payment
On November 25, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Late yesterday, DHS released a memo that suspends the physician signature requirement for the single room rate differential. It also allows the charging of a differential to private pay without advance notice. The waiver applies only for the fourteen day quarantine period for new admissions or residents returning from leave, and it is in place through the end of the state public health emergency.
Quarantine and Isolation Timing in Long-Term Care
On November 25, 2020 by Kari Everson
There have been many questions regarding quarantine periods in long-term care communities over the past several weeks. In order to clarify, here is information about the quarantine period for staff in various circumstances: