COVID-19 Update #253
HFAM Update

Friends:

Thank you for all you do. You and your teams continue to provide quality care to Marylanders in need and to save lives. In recent weeks we have updated frequently on these points:

  • The COVID-19 community-at-large positivity rate is increasing.

  • We MUST remain diligent.

  • After a gap when the federal CVS/Walgreens clinics in our sector ended, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and National Guard Tactical teams began last week new vaccine clinics in our sector to administer first and second doses.

  • In the long-term, vaccination in skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers will include combining the use of LTC pharmacies and direct J&J vaccination allotment to nursing homes.

  • Going forward, vaccination on assisted living campuses will be accomplished through some combination of LTC pharmacies, partnerships with local pharmacies, local health offices, and community partners such as churches or even nursing homes.


  • Hospitals must administer the J&J vaccine to patients before discharge to our settings.

NOTE: It is an urgent MUST that nursing homes register now for ImmuNet (see more below).

These seven points and your immediate registration for ImmuNet are essential to continuing to save lives, to broaden re-opening for visitation, for the evolvement of co-horting requirements in Maryland, and a return to a sense of normalcy.

AS ALWAYS: 

  • People first, quality counts.
  • Be prepared to deploy people and PPE around your organization.
  • Our sector MUST double our efforts on infectious disease protocol, staffing, and PPE.
  • Train, train, and train teams again on infectious disease protocol.
  • Recognize that COVID-19 fatigue is an issue across the county, not just in our sector.
  • Overcommunicate with residents, patients, families, staff, and government partners.
  • Sound alarms early.
  • Work with your hospital partners, and coordinate with local and state regulatory partners.
  • Take and document your action; keep a timeline.
  • CLICK HERE for the Dr. Katz Video, and please see the Donning and Doffing Checklist we have been sharing.
Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
Important: Register for ImmuNet
As we have previously shared, it will be important for providers in our sector to register with ImmuNet so that the State may allocate the vaccine directly to nursing homes and others.
The ImmuNet Help Desk email is: mdh.mdimmunet@maryland.gov
The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person October 4 – 7, 2021 at the Maryland Live Hotel and Casino in Hanover, Maryland. Hundreds of long-term care leaders will connect, share best practices and discuss actionable insights on how we can reflect, reform, rebuild, and revolutionize quality care. You and your teams will not want to miss this opportunity as we come together again.

Visit the conference website to learn more and register.
Thank you to our current sponsors!
#Get Vaccinated
With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the AHCA/NCAL Get Vaccinated campaign now has a dedicated website –getvaccinated.us – to help educate and encourage caregivers and staff at long-term care facilities to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The website includes credible information from medical professionals, public health officials, and scientists to help answer common questions about the vaccines among staff members and other individuals.
Did you miss an update?

Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
Health Facilities Association of Maryland WW.HFAM.ORG