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News related to "infection control"

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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. 

CMS Freezes Five Star Health Inspections Rating and Answers Frequently Asked Questions

On April 29, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

CMS recently released Quality Safety and Oversight Memorandum QSO-20-28-NH, addressing a number of questions relating to nursing homes and the fight against COVID-19. This article shares the highlights, and we encourage you to review the entire memo and share it with your teams.  

COVID-19: Response and Readiness Resources

On March 3, 2020 by Jonathan Lips

LeadingAge Minnesota has been working closely with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and others to help inform our work on response and readiness resources on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for aging services providers. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is estimating that US risks for the virus are low, those we serve in senior living appear to be disproportionately at risk for the most serious respiratory infections associated with COVID-19. We encourage members to take advantage of these new opportunities and resources:  

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. 

Phase 3 Requirements Take Effect Nov. 28 Despite Lack of Interpretive Guidance

On November 26, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the Phase 3 Requirements of Participation for care centers will take effect Nov. 28, but the agency will not release interpretive guidance and training materials for these requirements until early 2020. 

Coming in September: Infection Preventionist Certificate Program

On July 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd

Four months remain before the Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation take effect, and Nov. 28 is approaching faster than some of us would like! If you have not implemented a plan to meet regulatory compliance with F882: Infection Prevention and Control, now is the time to identify or hire someone to assume responsibilities for the vital Infection Preventionist position and get them the specialized training they need. LeadingAge MN is here to help through our new Certificate Program, Effectiveness & Core Components for the Infection Preventionist.  

Save the Date – Sept. 4 and 5: Effectiveness & Core Components for Infection Preventionist Certificate Program

On July 16, 2019 by Sue Boyd

The final countdown to Phase 3 of the Requirements of Participation that take effect Nov. 28 has begun. These requirements, among other changes, mandate that every care center have a designated and specially trained Infection Preventionist running a comprehensive infection prevention and control program. Are you prepared? 

CMS and CDC Release Infection Prevention Training for Care Centers

On March 13, 2019 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a free on-line training course in infection prevention and control for nursing home staff in the long-term care setting.  

35 LeadingAge MN Members Recognized as Infection Prevention & Control Data Champions

On February 26, 2019 by Sue Boyd

Congratulations to the following LeadingAge Minnesota members for being named Infection Prevention and Control Data Champions by Lake Superior Quality Innovation Network: 

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