HFAM Update
Friends:
As we enter this Delta COVID-19 surge, thank you for all you do to provide quality care to Marylanders in need. Unfortunately, in the community-at-large and healthcare settings, we will see case numbers rise.
Truthfully, in looking at current stats: While the number of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and assisted living centers with a single case outbreak is increasing as part of this surge, the:
- Number of cases in our settings remains low.
- Majority of cases are amongst staff.
- The vast majority of people are recovering.
As Always:
- Focus on what is in your control and not what is out of your control.
- Overcommunicate – with residents, patients, families, staff, and government partners.
- Adapt and innovate.
- Rely on your partnerships.
- Speak up when you need help.
- Double efforts on infectious disease protocols, training, and operations.
- Take and document your action; keep a timeline.
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CLICK HERE for the Dr. Katz Video, and please see the Donning and Doffing Checklist we have been sharing.
CRISP Reporting:
Today, there were zero gaps in skilled nursing and rehabilitation center reporting into CRISP. Way to go! Earlier this week, my friends and trusted colleagues Kevin Heffner from LifeSpan and Allison Ciborowski from LeadingAge Maryland and I met with Eric Shope from CRISP in light of the recently updated reporting orders.
At this point, our seven-day-a-week sector reporting has been ongoing for over a year and is operational. A quick scan done by Eric found only four of 227 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers had missed more than three days of reporting in the last couple of weeks. So in terms of reporting and that snapshot, we were actually doing very well as a sector in terms of reporting. I would expect the numbers to go up and down a bit, and given the escalating punitive fines for this reporting, that could be costly.
Reminders and best practices:
- CRISP reporting is important, valuable, and mandated (although I don’t believe, and none of my clinical colleagues have told me, that daily reporting in our sector has any impact on healthcare outcomes).
- The reporting is seven days a week.
- Know who in your center is the CRISP reporter.
- Have more than one person in your center with CRISP credentials (right now, it is taking 4 to 7 seven days to get credentials issued).
NOTE: One provider I know is establishing a simple back-up structure and getting all of their activity aides credentials to back up others with timely CRISP reporting. SMART!
Booster Doses:
As we have previously shared, MDH is actively planning for COVID-19 booster doses in our setting and other settings. Stay tuned for fast breaking announcements, perhaps next week. In the meantime, please submit your information to this MDH Vaccine Booster Information Form as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT, Monoclonal Antibody new EUA:
- Regeneron can be used for post-exposure prophylaxis for unvaccinated persons at high risk and for those who have been vaccinated but not expected to have mounted an adequate immune response, even with the vaccine.
- Regeneron may be administered subcutaneously when IV infusion is not available in a timely manner.
- Regeneron can be ordered directly through the supplier - AmerisourceBergen
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Here is a link to administration information: https://www.regencov.com/hcp/dosing/dosing-administration
AHCA Updates:
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The September 30th Provider Relief Fund (PRF) deadline for the first reporting period is quickly approaching. The PRF Reporting Portal opened on July 1, 2021, for providers who need to report the use of PRF payments in Reporting Period 1. The September 30th Provider Relief Fund (PRF) deadline for the first reporting period is quickly approaching. The PRF Reporting Portal opened on July 1, 2021, for providers who need to report the use of PRF payments in Reporting Period 1.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a letter alerting health care providers to stop using certain N95 respirators manufactured by one specific company, Shanghai Dasheng Health Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Dasheng). Providers currently using N95 respirators manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng should cease utilizing them.
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AHCA recently released a documentary that looks at the impact of COVID-19 on residents and staff, and why meaningful reforms coupled with substantial investments are necessary in light of this pivotal moment in our profession. Click here to watch.
Jim Reilly, Therapy Systems DME:
We all have people in our lives that are part of our trusted inner circle. Sometimes these individuals are part of our professional kitchen cabinet. Other times they serve as sounding boards in our personal lives. Rarely, they are part of your inner circle both professionally and personally.
I’ve been blessed to have many people much more intelligent and wiser than I in my inner circle throughout my life—friends, colleagues, members, customers, and professionals who, in an emergency, would take your call at 3 a.m. and come to help if needed. Writing this now professionally, Howard Sollins, Patrick Trotta, and Jim Reilly come to mind. And okay, Patrick wouldn’t want to come, but he’d get more coffee, and he’d come, fuzzy slippers and all!
Today, I want to tell you about a friend and leader who inspires me every day, whom I trust, and who I count on for his sage advice – Jim Reilly, President/CEO Therapy Systems DME Inc.
Before the pandemic, Jim was a thoughtful leader who focused on people first, building a team, creating value for his customers, and planning for contingencies. During the pandemic, Jim’s contingency planning, customer focus, and the team he built set him apart from other specialty medical equipment providers and allowed Therapy Systems to serve as a vital resource to skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, assisted living campuses, and to Marylanders in need receiving quality care.
Just as my provider members count on Jim and his team at Therapy Systems, I rely on him as my colleague, CEO, leader, and friend. We both view our work as entrepreneurial owner leaders dedicated to building winning teams and creating customer value. Also unique about Jim is that he served as a trade association executive — a rare and exceptional resource for me.
Jim, I am blessed to call you a member, customer, colleague, and friend. Thank you for all Therapy Systems does for our sector and for HFAM. Thank you for building a winning team with Joe Kister and the rest.
Be well,
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Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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Conversation with Senator Ben Cardin: The Current and Future Status of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Please join U.S. Senator Ben Cardin on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. for a conversation to discuss the latest information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.
This conversation will provide COVID-19 updates from Federal health agencies and an opportunity to share your present and future needs as a Maryland health care provider.
Senator Cardin and his team anticipate a substantive discussion from participants throughout the state.
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MDH Webinar Recap
Yesterday, the Maryland Department of Health held a webinar call to update the long-term care sector on COVID-19 developments and best practices. The call was recorded, in case you were unable to join or would like to review the topics discussed, which included:
- COVID-19 Epi Summary
- Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
- Vaccine Updates
- Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
- New Guidance
- FAQs
- Q&A
The next webinar will take place on Thursday, September 9 at 12:30 pm. Please remember that you are welcome to submit questions at any time to mdh.ipcovid@maryland.gov.
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FY 2022 Nursing Facility Rates
Earlier this week, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) released Nursing Facility Transmittal #280 regarding the FY 2022 nursing facility rates. Each facility will receive its rates directly from Myers & Stauffer, the Department's Audit Contractor.
MDH also released Nursing Facility Transmittal #l281, which describes the Department's methodology for distributing the supplemental payments that were approved as part of the Governor's supplemental budget. Facilities will receive information regarding individual payments directly from Myers & Stauffer, the Department's Audit Contractor.
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New Documentary: Why It's Time To Transform Nursing Homes
AHCA is proud to present a new, short-length documentary – Why It’s Time To Transform Nursing Homes. The documentary looks at the impact of COVID-19 on residents and staff, and why meaningful reforms coupled with substantial investments are necessary in light of this pivotal moment in our profession.
Hear from President & CEO Mark Parkinson and Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Gifford on the public health response, as well as AHCA Chair Debbie Meade and AHCA Vice Chair Phil Fogg, Jr. for an on-the-ground perspective. The documentary then makes the case for the Care For Our Seniors Act – a four-pronged reform proposal released by AHCA and LeadingAge earlier this year.
This global pandemic is far from over, and the profession is facing a surmounting economic and workforce crisis. Share this documentary with your federal and state policymakers and urge them to put our nation’s seniors and their caregivers first.
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FDA Alerts Health Care Providers to Stop Using Certain N95 Respirators
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a letter yesterday alerting health care providers to stop using certain N95 respirators manufactured by one specific company, Shanghai Dasheng Health Products Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Dasheng). Providers currently using N95 respirators manufactured by Shanghai Dasheng should cease utilizing them.
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Other COVID-19 Updates
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Receives FDA Full Approval: The FDA has granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Read More
COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Requirements for Clients and Staff in ICFs/IID: CMS has released the Interim Final Rule, “COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Requirements for Clients and Staff in Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs/IID).” Read More
AHCA/NCAL Endorses the Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act: Several members of Congress have introduced the Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act, which AHCA/NCAL supports. A press statement noted that the “bill that would improve nursing home care by strengthening wages and benefits for long-term care workers.” Read More
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Reminder: OHCQ will impose CMPs for non-reporting to CRISP
As you know, nursing homes are required to report specific COVID-19 information on a regular basis. The most recent MDH order dated August 18 requires nursing homes to report certain information on a daily basis, as well as vaccination information on a weekly basis. Per this transmittal from the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ):
In the past two weeks, a third of all nursing homes failed to report to CRISP on one or more days. Given the importance of this data, the continued failure of facilities to report, and the potential for more than minimal harm, OHCQ will cite nursing homes for each day of non-compliance. Every two to four weeks, OHCQ will review the nursing homes for whom CRISP reporting data is missing to determine if there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a nursing home from submitting the required data.
In the absence of extenuating circumstances, a State civil money penalty will be imposed for non-reporting to CRISP. To decrease the facility’s administrative burden of submitting a plan of correction and OHCQ’s review of the facility’s plan, OHCQ will impose a directed plan of correction (see page 3).
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Nursing Home Media Toolkit
Check out the new Nursing Home Media Toolkit from the Maryland Department of Health. The password to access the materials is Vaccine2021.
Please use the materials in this media toolkit to spread the word about vaccination with staff.
You'll find flyers, ads, social media posts, videos, and posters.
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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.
Safety is our top priority. Please note that proof of vaccination will be required for attendance.
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Thank you to our current sponsors! |
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Plus, Visit our Sponsors and Supporters in the
Brand New "Solutions Lounge"
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COVID-19 Resources
What you need to know.
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#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.
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Did you miss an update?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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