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News related to "covid-19"
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Recent CED Guidance on Exposed Healthcare Workers And Return To Work
On January 13, 2022 by Kari Everson
The CDC released revisions to their Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel (HCW) Staffing Shortages on Dec. 23, 2021. There are significant changes to return to work for staff who experience high-risk exposures in the recent update.
Recommendations for Moderna Booster Dose Modified
On January 13, 2022 by Kari Everson
On Jan. 7, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modified their recommendations for when a booster dose of the Moderna vaccine should be administered, and the CDC has published updated information. The booster recommendations are the same for both Pfizer and Moderna with this update.
DHS Issuing Temporary 2022 Care Center Rates and Providing Additional Emergency Aid Opportunity
On January 13, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Critical Steps Support SNF Operations; Advocacy for Assisted Living Continues
Earlier this week, Gov. Tim Walz announced two new steps his administration will take to offer financial assistance for care centers as the battle against COVID-19 continues.
Second Provider Relief Fund Reporting Period Opens Jan. 6, 2021
On January 6, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently opened the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting portal for providers to begin entering data to submit their second period PRF reports. Second period reports cover PRF payments from July 1 – Dec. 31, 2020, including Phase 2 and Phase 3 general distributions and nursing home infection control distributions and incentive payments. The deadline to submit the second period report is March 31, 2022.
Providers Must Continue Preparation for Implementation of CMS Vaccination Mandate
On January 6, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
As previously reported, CMS has announced that it will begin enforcing its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination mandate for facilities located in all states where the rule is not currently blocked by a legal injunction, including Minnesota. CMS has not published new information over the past several days, but we wanted to share what we know for any readers who missed our story last week.
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.