News
News related to "infection control"
Choose an article below to learn more about this topic.
Sample EBP Policy Available for Members
On June 13, 2024 by Kari Everson
The LeadingAge Minnesota resource center now contains a new resource for implementing enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) in assisted living and nursing home settings.
MDH Issues Notice About Infection Control
On February 29, 2024 by Mark Schulz
On Feb. 28, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued a govdelivery notice about infection control to assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
Infection Control and Substance Use Resources Available from Superior Health Alliance
On January 11, 2024 by Kari Everson
Superior Health Alliance released several resources to assist with infection control and substance use disorders.
MDH Releases Antibiotic Use and Stewardship 2023 Report
On May 4, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) summarizes data used to depict the state of antibiotic stewardship in Minnesota’s nursing homes in its newly released report, Antibiotic Use and Stewardship. The report outlines opportunities for MDH and clinical partners to use antibiotic stewardship programs.
QSO Updates Enforcement for Infection Control Citations
On April 6, 2023 by Kari Everson
On March 30, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-23-10-NH, which rescinds QSO-20-31-NH and provides updated guidance on enforcement for infection control non-compliance. As a result, enforcement actions are more severe than before when cited under F880 and/or F887.
CDC Releases Enhanced Barrier Precaution Tools
On January 26, 2023 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released tools to assist nursing homes in implementing enhanced barrier precautions. The resources include an EBP webinar and PowerPoint handout, an EBP pre-implementation tool, an observation tool, an observation tool summary, and several different letter templates, all available on the website.
Reimagining Infection Control
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
An article published on Nov. 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA) discusses the need to reimagine infection control within nursing homes to keep pace with rising acuity and multiple comorbidities in today’s residents to remain effective.
Fewer Minnesota Providers Qualified for October Infection Control Incentives
On December 9, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) started distributing the second round of infection control incentive payments to care centers who earned them for the month of October. They also released the details about which providers received payments and how much the payments were.
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.
First Round of Infection Control Payments Headed to Nursing Homes Next Week
On October 28, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
Federal authorities announced today that they will be distributing about $333 million in first-round infection control performance payments to more than 10,000 care centers based on their results battling the spread of COVID-19.
HHS Updates FAQ for Provider Relief Fund
On October 7, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
HHS recently posted an updated FAQ for the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). The FAQ includes a number of entries about applying for funds under the recently announced phase 3 of the general distribution
CMS Nursing Home Testing Call
On September 9, 2020 by Kari Everson
CMS held a call on nursing home testing yesterday evening featuring
New: Nursing Home Infection Control Survey Tool and Checklist
On September 9, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
As we shared in last week’s newsletter, CMS has changed the COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes tool to include the new testing requirements
Reminder: MDH Has Resumed Standard Nursing Home Survey Activity
On September 2, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
Care centers are reminded that the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has resumed standard recertification surveys as of mid-August, consistent with CMS memorandum QSO-20-35-ALL.
Infection Control Survey Results Show Patterns in Nursing Home Practices
On July 8, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently provided LeadingAge Minnesota with statements of deficiencies from 120 focused infection control surveys of Minnesota nursing homes conducted during April and May 2020. To assist members in preparing for future surveys, we have prepared a new resource: Focused Infection Control Surveys in Nursing Homes - Deficient Practices Commonly Cited by the Minnesota Department of Health.
CMS to Increase Survey & Enforcement Activity Related to Infection Control
On June 3, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced this week (QSO-20-31-All) that it will expand survey activity and increase enforcement remedies relating to nursing home infection control requirements, effective immediately. Several story lines arise from this memo.
Now Available: COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Webinar Recording & Handouts
On May 12, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
As reported last week, HUD and the CDC delivered presentations on their interim guidance on facility cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19. The recorded webinar and handouts, which are helpful to any housing setting and staff, is now available.
HUD COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Webinar
On May 5, 2020 by Bobbie Guidry
The U.S. Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) this week delivered presentations on their interim guidance on facility cleaning and disinfecting for COVID-19.
CMS Asks Stratis Health to Provide Targeted COVID-19 Infection Control Assistance
On May 5, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
During its April 22 COVID-19 call, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) noted that Stratis Health would be working with selected nursing homes to assess COVID-19 readiness – as a supplement to the infection control focused surveys MDH is doing around the state.
Enhanced Barrier Precautions for Care Centers
On February 12, 2020 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Infection Control Assessment and Response Program (ICAR) issued a notice on Jan. 31 to alert care centers that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released interim guidance on the implementation of Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) in July 2019.