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News related to "covid-19"
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COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Three New Resources
On November 18, 2020 by Terri Foley
Compilations of lessons learned from the early months of the pandemic were launched recently from LeadingAge and from CMS.
COVID-19 Resilience Tips: Leading your Best in the Worst of Times
On November 18, 2020 by LeadingAge
Guest contributor Alyson VanAhn, PhD, Associated Clinic of Psychology
The COVID-19 era has made life exponentially more challenging for all of us. This may be particularly true for those of you who are charged with keeping others at their best in a workplace that brings chronic stress. Today’s focus is on resilience-building/stress-reducing strategies for leaders who want to build up their teams and themselves—even when not feeling at their best. This is the first in a series of articles that will focus on resilience strategies leaders can share with their teams to improve quality of work life despite the ongoing pandemic and the stressors that come with it.
CMS Urges Nursing Homes to Use COVID-19 Staff Training
On November 18, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
In a Nov. 17 news release CMS urges nursing homes to take advantage of targeted COVID-19 training and highlights facilities that have already done so. This is the free course available on QSEP that offers modules for both front-line staff and management staff (access training here); it is separate from the longer QIO training offerings and from Project ECHO.
Community Spread Drives Huge Increase in Test Positivity Rate; Governor Announces New Statewide Restrictions
On November 18, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
For those tracking the COVID-19 test positivity rate by county, particularly care centers using that data to determine their staff testing protocol, the accelerated community spread in the last few weeks has had a huge impact. CMS test data for the two weeks ended 9/30 showed Minnesota with 35 green counties (positivity less than 5%), 46 yellow counties (5-10%) and 6 red counties (over 10%). In the most recent data, for the two weeks ended 11/11, virtually all MN counties are now red, with only four rural counties (Cook, Fillmore, Lake and Lake of the Woods) with yellow status and none in green.
Good News: Developments on Background Studies, Care Center Recertification Surveys
On November 18, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
We received good news today on two fronts:
Background Studies: The Minnesota Department of Human Services will be returning to emergency COVID-19 background studies that were previously in place. The Department is finalizing its implementation plan and anticipates this will be effective Thursday morning (Nov. 19).
LeadingAge MN CEO Gayle Kvenvold Provides Mission Moment at National Conference
On November 11, 2020 by LeadingAge
At noon tomorrow (11/12), LeadingAge Minnesota CEO Gayle Kvenvold will be featured as part of LeadingAge National’s Annual Conference. Kvenvold was asked to provide a Mission Moment—a personal reflection on our missions of service in these challenging times.
COVID-19 Resilience Tips & Resources in New Pandemic Playbook
On November 11, 2020 by Terri Foley
As a sign of hope in the battle with COVID-19, the new multi-media Pandemic Playbook: Moving From Fear to Action from LeadingAge features a 10-minute video documenting a New Jersey nursing home’s victory over COVID-19 in the early days of the pandemic.
Additional NHSN Training on POC Test Reporting Tool
On November 11, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
CDC has announced two more training session opportunities on the new point-of-care testing tool on NHSN. Trainings will be held this week on Thursday, November 12 at 2:00 PM Central Time and Friday, November 13 at 11:00 AM Central Time. Register for these training sessions here. The slides have been posted here. CDC has promised to post a recording of the training session in the future.
State PPE Support Remains Available for Providers in Need
On November 11, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As COVID-19 cases continue to surge throughout the state, many providers are again experiencing PPE shortages – especially with gloves – and we thought it would be helpful to remind members of the process for requesting supplies from the State.
Take-Aways from Updated MDH 5-Point LTC COVID-19 Battle Plan
On November 11, 2020 by Kari Thurlow
On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health released its Long-term Care COVID-19 Response: November 2020 Update and provided some updates regarding benchmarks with respect to how COVID-19 is impacting senior care providers and the people they serve.
Emergency Use Authorization Published for Monoclonal Antibody Therapy for COVID-19
On November 11, 2020 by Kari Everson
Monoclonal antibody therapy is a COVID-19 treatment that appears to prevent the progression of COVID-19 disease, decrease the length of illness, and may prevent hospitalizations. An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) was published today allowing the emergency use of monoclonal antibody therapy (Bamlanivimab) for adults and children with a positive COVID-19 test. Recipients must be 12 years of age or older or at least 40kg in weight. There are specific criteria for use of this therapy including:
- The recipient should have a confirmed COVID-19 infection;
- The recipient should be early in the disease progression; and
- The recipient should be symptomatic but not severely ill.
COVID-19 Resource Round-Up: Planning for Winter Holidays
On November 4, 2020 by Terri Foley
As staff, residents, and families plan for the Thanksgiving holiday, the CDC has published winter holiday guidance and recommendations for COVID-19 safe practices. Members may want to link to this page on your organization’s website and post it in your employee publications in the coming weeks. This guidance includes tips for hosting gatherings, attending events, and traveling safely if necessary.
Rising COVID-19 Cases Creates Huge Jump in “Red” Counties
On November 4, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
As community spread of COVID-19 continues at a rapid pace in Minnesota, it has consequences for care centers under the CMS staff testing mandate. The most recent CMS data, for the period from 10/15 through 10/28, has 29 counties with red status, due to a test positivity rate of over 10%. That’s up from 13 counties just a week before. Care centers who are using the CMS data to determine their testing practice and who are now in a red county will have to implement twice a week staff testing.
Reporting Antigen Test Results
On November 4, 2020 by Kari Everson
Antigen tests are a rapid test used to determine whether or not an individual has a current infection. Multiple antigen testing methods are available in long-term care settings including the BD Veritor antigen test machine, the Sophia Quidel antigen test machine, and the Abbot BinaxNOW card tests.
Clarification on Return to Work by Healthcare Personnel Exposed to COVID-19
On November 4, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
We received a question recently asking if 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 answer is yes, but only if certain conditions are met.
MDH Posts Additional Environmental Guidance on Indoor Visitation
On November 4, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
In new Guidance for Selecting In-building Visitation Area in Long-Term Facilities (11/04/20) released today, MDH provides more details about divider specifications in rooms or visitation areas, as well as specifics on room ventilation and airflow diagrams.
Safe Practices for a Safe Visit: New Video Available
On October 28, 2020 by Julie Apold
Everyone is working hard to balance visitation and safety. LeadingAge Minnesota’s new 4-minute Safe Practices for Safe Visits video provides the 4 key safety rules
Affordable Housing Survey Reveals COVID-19 Cases, Isolation, & Financial Strain
On October 28, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
A national survey of senior housing providers by LeadingAge finds COVID-19 cases in a majority of communities, and that financial strain and resident social isolation are key concerns.
COVID-19 Resource Round-Up
On October 28, 2020 by Terri Foley
In LeadingAge Minnesota’s weekly Huddles and Clinical Coaching Rooms, we continue to get questions about the length of quarantine and when staff can be back at work.
LTC Imperative Completes Survey on Testing in Consultation with MDH
On October 28, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
The LTC Imperative recently wrapped up our most recent short survey, this one on testing practices using questions developed in consultation with MDH to give them a view into what is happening with testing in long-term care.