Coronavirus Update #190
HFAM Update, Pharmacy Partnership Program Deadline, Phase 3 Deadline, MDH Webinar Recap, PPE Resources, Post-Election Recap, More COVID-19 Updates
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HFAM Update
Friends,
Thank you for all you continue to do in providing quality care to Marylanders in need. Know that we continue to stand by your side in this fight against COVID-19. As we have been sharing and preparing for, we are now in the midst of the fall surge of COVID-19 as cases rise in the community and in our sector.
Earlier this week our partners at AHCA/NCAL released a report that shows new COVID cases are increasing in nursing homes across the country as a result of community spread among the general population. As experts have repeatedly pointed out, community spread is a top factor in the likelihood of outbreaks in long-term care facilities. As cases continue to rise, it’s important that members of the public do their part to contain the virus and that we continue doing our part to protect those in our care.
Yesterday evening, Governor Larry Hogan held a press conference to give a detailed update on the situation here in Maryland. While the Governor stated that current statewide metrics do not yet warrant taking drastic immediate actions, we are currently at a pivotal moment in this fight. He emphasized that we cannot afford to let our guard down and asked all Marylanders to do their part by wearing masks, practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently, and avoiding out-of-state travel. He also stated the importance of protecting the most vulnerable among us and acknowledged the COVID fatigue we are all facing.
Mental Health Resources
During the press conference, Dr. David Marcozzi, COVID-19 Incident Commander, UMMS, also took the podium to stress the importance of mental health during this difficult time and urged Marylanders to stay connected, reach out, and support each other. For free mental health resources for frontline workers, click here. For additional resources, visit the Mental Health Association of Maryland. In addition, please see this HFAM Wellness Flyer with links and advice to help take care of ourselves as we continue this fight.
As we have shared before, key points as we move forward:
- It is critical to recognize that the #1 indicator of COVID getting in to our setting is the COVID hotness of the surrounding community. We must be clinically driven.
- Infectious disease protocols, proper donning and doffing, and PPE supplies are all even more critical. And now, fatigue is more pronounced.
- We must be extra vigilant on transfers back and forth from hospitals.
- We have all had continuing concerns about staffing, going back to the start—it will take all of us in and out of government to navigate staffing concerns.
- Commercial testing will likely become less timely in a surge; we’ll have to use both PCR and point of care (POC) testing.
- Telemedicine will continue to be critical.
Reminders, as always:
- I am proud of all you are doing.
- People first, quality counts.
- Our sector MUST double our efforts on infectious disease protocol, staffing, PPE, observation, and testing.
- 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.
- Over-communicate with residents, patients, families, staff, and government partners.
- Work with your hospital partners, and coordinate with local and state regulatory partners.
- Take and document your action; keep a timeline
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CLICK HERE for the Dr. Katz Video, and please see our Donning and Doffing Checklist first distributed a couple of months ago.
Be well,
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Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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Final Reminder for Pharmacy Partnership Sign Up
Deadline to Sign Up for the Vaccine Program is TODAY!
The deadline for long term care facilities to sign up for the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program is today, Friday, November 6. If you haven't already, please register for the federal government’s national vaccine distribution program for long term care residents.
Nursing homes should register via NHSN. Assisted living communities and other congregate settings should sign up through this online survey.
Providers are encouraged to verify their sign-up selections as follows:
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SNFs can review their data in NHSN by going in through the calendar view.
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REDCap can be reviewed using the unique code that the facility would have received when initially filling out the form.
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Reminder: Apply for Provider Relief Funding Phase 3
Deadline TODAY!
As we previously shared, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new opportunity for providers to seek funding through the HHS Provider Relief Fund. HHS will be accepting applications from October 5, 2020 through November 6, 2020.
Click here to read more background from our partners at AHCA/NCAL.
Apply for funding:
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Applicants who submit by today, Friday, November 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. ET will be considered for funding.
- Providers are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible to expedite the calculation and distribution of payments. Providers should apply if they have lost revenues and/or increased expenses attributable to COVID-19 that have not been reimbursed by other sources.
- Most recent federal income tax return for 2017, 2018, or 2019, unless exempt
- Operating revenues and expenses from patient care
Note: Providers will need to submit a new application, even if they previously submitted revenue details for a prior PRF distribution; the application has been updated to include some additional data entries in order to calculate payment based on financial impact of COVID-19.
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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 Updates
- Maryland Updates
- CDC Updates
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Environmental Infection Control
- Q&A
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Reminder: MDH Orders Requiring PPE Stockpile
Per the most recent nursing home order, all nursing homes are required to stock and maintain a 30 day private stockpile of PPE by November 30, 2020 and increase that amount to a 60 day private stockpile of PPE by January 31, 2021. All nursing homes must report their PPE inventory to MDH weekly. |
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Need PPE?
Thanks to a partnership with our colleagues at LifeSpan Network and LeadingAge Maryland, we can help with that! Gloves, masks, gowns, shields, shoe coverings and more are available. Please contact APBeacon@Lifespan-network.org to let us know your PPE needs so we can provide you with the best pricing options.
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Medline: Spot Buys mitigate shortages on COVID-19 core products
To meet the demand for medical supplies during this time of supply chain strain, Medline has sourced and procured several new products through "spot buys" in order to alleviate the pain due to shortages on some of their traditional products.
- An overview of the spot buy program
- Products currently available
- Details on availability, pricing, and other purchase specifics
Keep in mind that what is included and available may change from week to week.
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Register Now! Post-Election Recap with AHCA/NCAL
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Other COVID-19 Updates
OSHA Releases COVID-19 Respiratory Protection Guidance for Long Term Care Employees: OSHA has released a new resource: Respiratory Protection Guidance for the Employers of Those Working in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Other Long Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read More
NHSN POC Testing Result CLIA ID Number: AHCA/NCAL has been notified that a vital component in ensuring that your Point-of-Care Testing Result information is submitted correctly lies withing the accuracy of the CLIA identification number listed for the facility in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) system. Read More
Join the National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network for Best Practices on Coronavirus Control: The new National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network is recruiting nursing homes from across the country to participate in a virtual online peer community for improving COVID-19 infection control and better protecting residents and staff. Read More
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Did you miss HFAM's previous alerts?
Visit our website to view all previous HFAM alerts, as well as guidance
from our federal and state partners.
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Additional Resources and Guidance
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Thank you.
We cannot thank you enough for the dedication and diligence in doing all that you can for the residents in your communities. HFAM continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic with our state and national partners and will do all we can to support you during this time.
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