LeadingAge Minnesota

COVID-19 TOOLS, RESOURCES & GUIDANCE

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RESOURCES AND FREQUENTLY REFERENCED GUIDANCE

• MDH COVID-19 Recommendations for Healthcare Workers (9/29/21)
• CDC Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination (9/10/21)
• MDH Quarantinine Guidance (8/13/21)
• CMS COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Requirements for Residents and Staff: QSO-21-19-NH (5/11/21)
• CMS Updated Visitation Guidance: QSO-20-39-NH (4/27/21)
• MDH Toolkit: COVID-19 Information for Long-Term Care Facilities (3/08/21)
• Adult Day: See ADS COVID-19 Page

VISITATION & ACTIVITIES

      Guidance Documents

• MDH Long-Term Care Guidance for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living-type Settings (3/17/21)
• MDH Long-Term Care Guidance for Non-medically Necessary Outings (3/17/21)
• MDH Flowchart-Exceptions for Indoor Visitation (3/17/21)
• MDH Flowchart - Visitation for Outbreak Status (3/17/21)
• CDC Visitation & Quarantine Updated Guidance (3/10/21)
• CMS Updated Indoor Visitation Guidance QSO-20-39-NH (3/10/21)
• MDH COVID-19 Toolkit: Information for Long-term Care Facilities (3/8/21)
• MDH Visitation Guidance - Assisted Living and HWS (10/28/20)
• CMS Visitation Guidance: QSO-20-39 (9/17/20)
• Summary of CMS QSO-20-39  (9/18/20)

      Tools & Resources

• NEW! COVID-19 Description of Outbreak Testing Options & Visitation Implications (10/25/21)
• Decision Guide: Quarantine for Residents & Staff (11/24/20)
• Tip Sheet for Determining the Covid-19 Positivity Rate In Your County (10/12/20)
• Toolkit for Visitation Implementation (10/12/20)
• Managing Staff Screening (03/18/20)
• Managing/Screening People Who Enter Building (3/18/20)

COVID-19 VACCINATION & TREATMENT

• MDH LTC Access to COVID-19 Vaccines–Next Steps (3/3/21)
• Staff COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Toolkit (2/22/21)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Facts Video for staff (from MAGIC,Minnesota Association for Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians) (2/9/21)

Vaccine Clinic Tools & Resources

• COVID-19 Vaccine Policy Template (1/8/21)
• Vaccine Clinic Checklist (1/8/21)
• Vaccine Clinic Practical Tips (1/8/21)
• Vaccine Clinic Talking Points & Messages (1/8/21)

Guidance Documents

• MDH Vaccine Reporting Instructions (1/19/21)
• MDH Vaccine Reporting FAQ (1/19/21)
• DH Vaccine Tracker Spreadsheet (12/30/20)
• CDC LTC COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit (12/23/20)
• COVID-19 Vaccine Communications toolkit (12/21/20)
  • I got my COVID-19 vaccine stickers.pdf
• CDC FAQ about COVID-19 Vaccination in Long-term Care (12/28/20)
• MDH-Minnesota Guidance for Allocating and Prioritizing COVID-19 Vaccine: Phase 1a (12/8/20)
• MDH Vaccine Planning and Distribution Key Messages (12/8/20)
• MDH Healthcare Worker Vaccination Series Webinar #1: Making and Approving a Safe and Effective Vaccine (11/24/20)
• MDH Healthcare Worker Vaccination Series Webinar #2: Making and Approving a Safe and Effective Vaccine  (12/1/20)
• MDH Healthcare Worker Vaccination Series Webinar #3: Once We Have a COVID-19 Vaccine: Deciding Who is First (12/8/20)
• MDH Healthcare Worker Vaccination Serie Webinar #4: Addressing Common Concerns Regarding COVID-19 (12/15/20)

Tools & Resources: Vaccination Communication

• CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Communications Toolkit (12/11/20)
• Post-Vaccine Clinic Talking Points & Key Messages (3/22/21)
• For Staff:
  • Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Handout (11/24/20)
  • Staff Sample Messages on COVID-19 Vaccination (12/1/20)
  • Staff FAQ on COVID-19 Vaccination (12/1/20)
• For Residents & Families:
  • Sample Letter on COVID-19 Vaccination (12/3/20)
  • Sample COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ for Residents & Families (12/2/20)
• For News Media & Social Media:
  • Sample Media Statement & Talking Points on COVID-19 Vaccination (12/4/20)
  • Social Media COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign

COVID-19 Treatments

• Monoclonal Antibody (mAbs) Resources Summary (1/14/21)
• AMDA/ASCP Monoclonal Antibody Treatments in Senior Care Environments

COMMUNICATIONS 

• Confirmed Case of COVID-19 in Site – Resident & Family Letter Template (11/2/20)
• Loss of Life Due to COVID-19 - Resident & Family Letter Template (11/2/20)
• Top 10 COVID-19 Communications Tips
• External Communications Toolkit

TESTING 

Tools & Resources: General

• NEW! Decision Tree for Positive Test Results (10/25/2021)
• MDH COVID-19 Testing Web Page
• MDH Essential Resources and Forms for COVID-19 Testing and Case Management in Long-term Care Facilities (3/22/21)
• Decision Guide: "Whole House" Testing (09/02/20)
• Payment for COVID-19 Lab Tests in Minnesota Long-Term Care Settings (10/22/20)
• Updated Testing Consent Form - Resident (9/15/20)
• Updated Testing Consent Form - Staff (9/15/20)
• COVID-19 Testing Basics Factsheet (9/25/20)
• Handout if Staff Refuses Testing  (8/20/20)
• MDH Poster for Staff Awareness on Testing

Tools & Resources: Antigen Testing

• MDH Antigen Testing Guide (10/7/20)

• MDH Flowchart for Antigen Testing (10/7/20)

• CMS FAQ: Point of Care Testing in Nursing Homes (07/24/20)

• MDH Instructions for Reporting Long-term Care COVID-19 Point-of-Care Antigen Testing Results (10/21/20)

  • MDH COVID-19 Lab Results Reporting File Template QSA (Excel)
    for Quidel Sofia Antigen testing equipment

  • MDH COVID-19 Lab Results Reporting File Template BVA (Excel)
    for BD Veritor Antigen testing equipment
    MDH COVID-19 Lab Results Reporting File Template ABN (Excel)
    for Abbott BinaxNow COVID-19 Ag Card

Tools & Resources: Test Planning 

• Testing Plan Toolkit w/MDH Template (8/21/20)     
• Questions for Potential Testing Vendors (06/03/20)
• Checklist - Preparing for Testing Day (05/29/20)
• Fact Sheet - PCR Viral Testing (05/29/20)
• Specimen Collection Training Video (05/26/20)
• Employment Law: Testing FAQ (06/29/30)
• Employee Letter that Indicates Health Care Staff are Prioritized for Testing
• Medicaid Coverage for Testing for Non-Insured Individuals (05/01/20)
• CDC Guidance on Collecting Clinical Specimens 
• Considerations to Prepare for Expanded Testing (05/11/20)

Guidance Documents

• MDH Guidance on CMS COVID-19 Nursing Home Testing Rule (Serial Staff Testing) (9/18/20)

• CMS Interim Final Rule (9/02/20)
• Summary of New CMS COVID-19 Testing Rule (rev. 09/01/20)
• CMS COVID-19 Nursing Home Testing Rule - LeadingAge MN FAQ (rev. 09/10/20)
• Nursing Home Testing Requirements Decision Guide (8/28/20)
• LeadingAge MN Summary - CMS COVID-19 Nursing Home Testing Rule (09/01/20)
• LeadingAge MN FAQ - CMS COVID-19 Nursing Home Testing Rule(rev. 09/10/20)

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Tools & Resources

• MDH Chart: PPE - Contingency Standards of Care (4/23/21)
• Respiratory Protection Program (11/3/20)
• Particulate respirator donning policy (11/3/20)
• Seal check policy (11/3/20)
• Prioritization Protocol: PP Requests for Providers of Direct Patient Care 9/16/20)
• MDH Chart: PPE - Contingency Standards of Care (9/25/20)
• PPE Prioritization Protocol: PPE Requests for Providers of Direct Patient Care (9/15/20)
• MDH Chart: PPE Use - Standards of Care (04/24/20)
• Purchasing PPE - Manfacturers and Products
• COVID-19 Video Brief - Facemasks 
• PPE: How to Don and Doff (video)
• Facemask: How to Don and Doff (MDH-Video)
• PPE Optimization Strategies
• CDC PPE Optimization Strategies 
• Policy Template: PPE Sourcing & Optmization (05/08/20)

Guidance Documents

• MDH Guidance on Masks as Source Control
• MDH Guidance on Alternative Masks

INFECTION CONTROL

• NEW! COVID-19 Actions, Prevention, and Mitigation Measures (10/25/2021)
• Improving Hand Hygiene & PPE Compliance 
• Policy Template: Resident & Staff Screening-Suspected/Confirmed Cases (05/08/20)
• Managing Acute Symptoms in COVID-19 Cases (04/20/20) Source: Minnesota Hospice & Palliative Care and Minnesota Association of Geriatric Inspired Clinicians.
• Cohorting Positive COVID-19 Individuals  (04/10/20)

• Confirmed COVID-19 Case Response (04/10/20)

SURVEY PREPARATION

• CMS COVID19 Focused Survey Tools - Updated August 27 2020
• Focused Infection Control Surveys in Nursing Homes: Deficient Practices Commonly Cited by MN Department of Health (July 2020) 
• Safe Care in the Age of COVID: Focused Infection Control Surveys - Overall Themes (June 2020) 
• Focused Infection Control Surveys - Assisted Living & Housing with Services (04/24/20)
• Focused Survey Preparation - Nursing Homes (04/17/20)
• Survey Readiness (05/08/20)

TOOLKITS BY TOPIC

• COVID-19 Compliance Obligations by Provider Type (8/17/20)
• External Communications Toolkit (8/19/20)
• Adult Day Services Re-Opening (07/29/20)
• Outdoor Visitation (06/18/20)
• Resident Transfer & Cohorting (05/13/20)
• Notification Guidance & Best Practices (05/05/20)
• Loss of Life from COVID-19 (04/08/20)
• Confirmed/Positive Case Resources (04/24/20)
• Independent Living & Housing with Services (06/30/20)
• Family Members Who Want to  Move a Loved One Home (04/03/20)
• Visitation Guidance Resources (03/19/20)
• Adult Day Temporary Closure (03/30/20)
• General Information Resources (03/16/20)
• Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Posters, Videos (MDH)
• COVID-19 Videos, Fact Sheets, Posters (CDC)

DECISION TREES & DECISION-MAKING GRIDS

• Responding to a Confirmed COVID-19 Case (03/26/20)
  • COVID-19 Brief: How do I response to a COVID-19 case in my setting? (03/26/20)
• Considerations for Positive Cases of COVID-19 in Residents with Dementia (4/08/20)
• Monitoring Residents for COVID-19 (03/15/20)
• Prevention Assessment (03/09/20)

GUIDANCE

• MDH COVID-19 Recommendations for Health Care Workers (07/29/20)
• MDH Essential Caregivers (07/10/20)
  • FAQ: Essential Caregiver Guidance (07/17/20)
• CMS Guidance on Visitation & Group Activities (06/23/20)
  • Ideas: Safe, Socially Distanced Activities
• MDH Aerosol Generating Procedures (06/18/20)
• MDH Outdoor Visitation (06/17/20)
• MDH Beauty Shop Guidance (06/12/20)
• MDH Assistant Residents Requesting Camera Placement (06/05/20)
• MDH Case Management Process (05/22/20)
• Compassionate Care Visits (05/18/20)
• Advance Care Planning (05/28/20)
• Resident Transfers During COVID-19 (05/08/20)
• MDH Interim Guidance for Hospital Discharge (05/02/20)

DEMENTIA CARE BEST PRACTICES

• Considerations for Positive Cases of COVID-19 in Residents with Dementia (4/08/20)
• Dementia Care Strategies & Tips During COVID-19 
• Tips for Dementia Caregivers in Long-Term or Communty-Based Settings (Alzheimer's Association)
• Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based setting (Alzheimer's Association)

EMPLOYMENT AND STAFFING

Staffing Resources

• Reporting Employee COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Deaths to OSHA (2/12/21)
• COVID-19 Crisis Staffing Checklist (10/27/20)
• MDH: Defining Crisis Staffing Shortage 
• Policy Template: Emergency Staffing (05/04/20)
• NEW POSITION: Basic Care Aide
  • Maximize Staffing with a New Position
  • Basic Care Aide Overview
  • Basic Care Aide Curriculum
  • Register: 
    • EduCare Users: Find the Basic Care Aide curriculum pre-loaded in your EduCare library. Contact EduCare with any questions.
    • Non-EduCare Users: Students may access the same training for free on LeadingAge National's Learning Hub. Course syllabus and competency resources are included on the website for staff educators/RN trainers. 
• NEW TRAINING: Paid Feeding Assistant (expedited - 2.5 hrs)
  • Register
    • EduCare Users: FInd the Paid Feeding Assistant curriculum in your EduCare library. Contact EduCare with questions. 
    • Non-EduCare Users: Organizations may access the same traning for free here. Course syllabus and competency resources will be provided to staff educators/RN trainers. 
• Recruitment Strategies During COVID-19
• 5 Successful Workforce Strategies

Employment Law

• Revised FFCRA Rules Summary (9-15-20)
• PPE, Workplace Safety and Workplace Accommodations (05/18/20)
• Flow Chart: Navigating Emergency FMLA & Paid Sick Leave
• FAQ: Unemployment Benefits (05/06/20
• FFCRA: Emergency FMLA & Sick Leave FAQ (04/07/20)
• DHS Suspends Fingerprinting Requirement: Steps, Guidelines and Frequent Asked Questions  (04/03/20)

Mental Health Tools and Resources

• NAMI-MN Online Tool: Minnesota Healthcare Heroes: Self Care for Senior Workers During COVID-19
• MDH Mental Health and Resiliency Tools for Health Care Workers: COVID-19
• Healthcare Workers Guide for Coping with Stress and Compassion Fatigue (from SAMSHA)
• One-pager on Staff Well-being During the Pandemic

FUNDING

• Federal Funding Provider Relief
  • CARES Act Provider Relief Fund 
  • FAQ: Provider Relief Fund 
  • Provider Relief Fund Reporting Portal
• Small Business Funding 
  • Paycheck Protection Program
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program 
• Nursing Homes - State Funding
  • COVID-19 Relief under MN Statutes 12A.10- see the links labeled “COVID” on the MN Nursing Home Provider Portal