News

MDH Discusses Revised CDC Guidance: Return to Work, Expanded Staffing Strategies

On December 30, 2021 by Kari Everson

On the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) long-term care call this week, the Department discussed the updated CDC guidance released on Dec. 23. It appears the CDC guidance will be adopted for our settings. MDH reported it is the intention of CMS to revise the current memos to be in alignment with this guidance. The publication timeline for updated CMS memo(s) is unknown.

CDC Revised Return to Work Guidance

On December 30, 2021 by Kari Everson

Updated return-to-work guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has significantly changed from its last release. In the updated information, return to work is based upon several different variables including those who test positive, those who have been exposed, the staffing situation within the organization, and the vaccination and booster status of the health care worker (HCW).

OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 Healthcare Standard but Strongly Encourages Continued Compliance; Vaccine Standard Remains Intact

On December 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that it is withdrawing the non-record keeping portions of the COVID-19 Healthcare Emergency Temporary Standard ETS (the “Healthcare ETS”) the agency issued in June 2021. This standard establishes various protections for workers in settings where healthcare and health support services are provided and is separate from the vaccination or testing requirement issued by OSHA in early November.

FDA Issues EUA for Pfizer drug Paxlovid, the First Oral Antiviral Treatment of COVID-19

On December 23, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-developed drug Paxlovid, the First Oral Antiviral Treatment of COVID-19.

Work Underway to Implement 1000+ New CNA Pipeline Initiative

On December 23, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman

Gov. Tim Walz announced a new initiative to recruit, train, and deploy at least 1,000 new certified nursing assistants for Minnesota long-term care facilities experiencing staffing shortages by the end of January. LeadingAge Minnesota and our Long-Term Care Imperative played a critical role in advocating for this initiative.

Resource Roundup: Emergency Staffing Resources

On December 23, 2021 by Kari Everson

You have various emergency staffing resources available should you need to utilize them during the holidays.

This time of year, your senior care communities are full of fun and festivity as family and friends celebrate with the residents you serve. While joyous, vigilance is essential; the increase in visitors during this period of high transition and increased prevalence of the Omicron variant poses potential complications.

Update on Status and Implementation of CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates

On December 23, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Our team is keeping a close watch for news about the CMS staff vaccination mandate and the OSHA vaccine-or-test emergency temporary standard. Here is the latest information about the status and enforcement of these two requirements.

Federal Government Starts Distributing Phase Four Provider Relief Funds (PRF)

On December 16, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

This week the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) began distributing the $17 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 funding to a broad range of health care providers, including care centers, assisted living, and adult day providers who experienced revenue loss and increased expenses associated with the pandemic.

Court Green Lights CMS Vaccination Mandate in 26 States, Next Steps Unclear

On December 16, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Following an order yesterday by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the CMS staff vaccination mandate is no longer subject to an injunction in Minnesota and 25 other states. CMS has not yet issued a statement in response to this development.

National Guard Deployment to Nursing Homes Begins This Week

On December 9, 2021 by Kari Everson

Starting this week, Minnesota National Guard teams arrived in selected nursing homes to fill staffing needs. On Nov. 22, 2021, Gov. Tim Walz announced an emergency relief package for nursing homes that included a plan to deploy 400 national guard soldiers in small teams to nursing homes that have crisis staffing needs. Starting this week, teams arrived in selected nursing homes to fill staffing needs.

Review Music and Activity Guidance for Safe and Happy Holiday Celebrations

On December 9, 2021 by Kari Everson

The holidays are upon us, and several members asked questions about musicians in our settings. MDH published recommendations for music activities and performances during COVID-19 on May 28. The document is not healthcare specific, but it is the document that MDH references when asked about musicians in our settings.

Litigation Update: Status of Lawsuits Challenging Federal Vaccination Mandates

On December 9, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Aging services providers across the country are closely following the status of the federal staff vaccination mandates as legal challenges work their way through the courts. 

ICYMI: Nationwide Injunction on CMS Mandate

On December 2, 2021 by Kari Thurlow

On Tuesday of this week, a federal judge in Louisiana has granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against the COVID-19 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate following a lawsuit filed by Montana and 13 other states.

Free Webinar—COVID-19 Burnout Prevention

On December 2, 2021 by Terri Foley

As we brace for a new COVID-19 variant and your teams are exhausted from staffing challenges, learn ways to reduce burnout risk in your organization. Register for a 30-minute workshop with Dr. Alyson Van Ahn from the Associated Clinic of Psychology.

CMS Issues Blanket Waiver for Nursing Home Food and Nutrition Services Director

On December 2, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

CMS has updated its COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers list to address requirements for a nursing home's Director of Food and Nutrition Services.

American Rescue Plan Funds to be Sent to Care Centers to Fund Bonuses

On December 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is developing plans to distribute the $50 million in American Rescue Plan funds to care centers after an announcement from Gov. Walz last week. This funding is to provide recruitment and retention bonuses to staff when staffing shortages are having a significant impact on care centers statewide. The Long-Term Care Imperative is pleased that the Administration has heard our workforce concerns and is taking steps to address that problem.

Federal COVID-19 Aid Will Not Impact Care Center Rates

On November 18, 2021 by Jeff Bostic

As of this week, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) announced that Provider Relief Funds (PRF) and Paycheck Protection Program Loans (PPP) will not be offset in care center rates.

COVID-19 Burnout Prevention—Free Webinar

On November 18, 2021 by Terri Foley

You are feeling like you can't handle one more month, week, or day of COVID-19? Register for a 30-minute workshop with Dr. Alyson Van Ahn from the Associated Clinic of Psychology.

MDH Indicates Forthcoming Guidance to Eliminate Assisted Living Visitation Restrictions

On November 18, 2021 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health has indicated that the agency will issue guidance for assisted living settings in the coming days, reflecting recent federal guidance for nursing homes and eliminating visitation restrictions in long-term care settings.

Updates on CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates

On November 18, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

As providers continue preparing to implement staff vaccination mandates, here are the latest available situational updates:

CMS Omnibus COVID–19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Rule

CMS has clarified that the Phase 1 implementation deadline is Dec. 6, not Dec. 5.