Friends:
CLICK HERE for a brand new HFAM video on guidance regarding the use of monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19. Huge thanks to Dr. Katz, Dr. Loome, and Dr. Haft for participating in this important discussion and for sharing such great insights on monoclonal antibody treatments. Please share this video with your teams.
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On August 31, roughly 90 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and 51 assisted living campuses had a COVID-19 outbreak of at least one case. Most of those outbreaks were a single case or a handful of cases. A few were a bit larger, perhaps nine or ten cases. Today, roughly 88 skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers and 56 assisted living campuses have single case outbreaks. Over the last 18 months in our battle against COVID-19, your teams have been fighting hard to hold the line against this virus. The reality is that we will be fighting this battle for the long haul with the Delta, Lambda, and Mu variants, as well as other variants to come. Let us remember we are fighting the virus and not one another.
NOTE: We are seeing isolated larger outbreaks in centers with high resident, patient and staff vaccination rates, and who had not earlier had a major outbreak. This is obviously very troubling, and makes Governor Hogan’s proactive booster recommendations/orders even more important.
Boosters:
Today, the Food and Drug Administration is meeting to discuss future guidance and policy on COVID-19 booster shots. It is important to remember that not all people age 65+ living or working in a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center or the community-at-large have the same clinical need for a third dose just because of their age or where they live. Therefore, the timing for that third dose should be guided by a physician based on the patient. Marylanders age 65+ or immune-compromised should consult their physician on their clinical need for an immediate COVID-19 third dose booster. Families, residents, and patients in our setting should also consult with medical professionals. Additionally, with the help of the federal government, the Maryland National Guard, and the state government, it took several weeks to get most residents, patients, and staff in Maryland nursing homes vaccinated. Just as the initial rollout took several weeks, expect that the booster rollout will take time.
NOTE: Finally, Maryland policy on the boosters is not currently in alignment with federal policy, but that said, we’ve been alerting our sector for months on the necessity to sign-up for ImmuNet, work with pharmacy partners, and be prepared to administer both COVID-19 boosters and even perhaps the seasonal flu vaccine.
Hogan Booster announcement. It is an important and quick read.
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“Booster Shots for Immunocompromised Marylanders. MDH has issued guidance instructing all pharmacies and providers across the state to administer boosters to anyone who considers themselves to be immunocompromised, without a prescription or doctor’s order. Providers will be required to report any booster shots they administer in the same manner that first and second doses are reported."
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For those pharmacies providing clinical support to certain congregate healthcare facilities, either the nursing home matters order or the vaccination matters order (individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, residential drug treatment, or assisted living programs) apply.
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"Individuals can self-attest to their moderately to severely immunocompromised status and receive the additional dose wherever vaccines are offered. Vaccinators should not deny COVID-19 vaccination to a person due to lack of documentation. This will help prevent barriers to access for this vulnerable population receiving a needed additional dose. If people who are immunocompromised have questions about the additional dose, they should discuss with their healthcare provider whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them. CDC is providing further information regarding vaccine administration to immunocompromised individuals to states, pharmacies, health centers, and all vaccine providers."
CRISP Reporting:
As you know, nursing homes are required to report specific COVID-19 information on a regular basis. The MDH orders require 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), CMPs will be imposed for non-reporting.
At this point, our seven-day-a-week sector reporting has been ongoing and is operational. A recent re-scan of reporting data found only a handful 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. We are actively working to expand the reporting period and keeping the portal open longer. I would expect the non-reporting numbers to come and down a bit, and given the escalating punitive fines for this reporting, that could be costly. Reminders and best practices:
- 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 inaccurately and timely CRISP reporting. SMART!
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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
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Again, here is the link to the recent video with Dr. Katz, Dr. Haft, and Dr. Loome: https://youtu.be/jECXgAFH8wI
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.
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Joe DeMattos
President and CEO
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Medline Spot Buys
Please consider ordering additional masks if you do not currently have a significant stockpile. The supply chain continues to be struggling, and we would prefer you play it safe with the uncertainty.
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 our 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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Visit with First Financial Federal Credit Union at the upcoming HFAM conference! Representatives from the credit union will be available to discuss opening accounts and how to offer the credit union as a benefit to your employees.
As a reminder, HFAM has partnered with First Financial Federal Credit Union to offer our members access to all that the credit union has to offer. Credit Unions provide the same services as a bank, but offer lower loan rates, higher dividend rates, little or no fees, and maintain a commitment to the communities that they serve. You are eligible to join as an HFAM member, plus your immediate family members are eligible to join.
Join First Financial and open a new account of any type from now through October 31st and you will receive $25!
To join online simply go to firstfinancial.org/open or visit any branch. Choose Partner Group Promo Application and enter promo code: PROMO25. You will need your ID and $5 to open your account – your $25 cash deposit will be made after the promotional period ends. We look forward to having you join our credit union family!
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We are thrilled to announce that you can now attend the 2021 HFAM conference in person OR virtually. The 2021 HFAM Conference “Together We Re-Imagine” will be held in person AND online from 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.
No matter how you attend, you will gain valuable knowledge and insight through exclusive, dynamic presentations and an innovative Solutions Lounge.
CEs awarded for in person and virtual attendance.
for more information and to register.
HFAM's safety protocol requires proof of vaccination
or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of 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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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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