DR EPIC Newsletter
For Arizona SNFs: Emergency Preparedness Infection Control
|
|
Still Time to Register for the DR Summit
We have limited registration left for the annual Disaster Ready Summit to be held on Thursday, May 13th at the Phoenix Airport Marriott. It is an exciting agenda addressing emergency preparedness compliance and disaster readiness. Please take a moment and check it out.
|
|
Be Aware of Continuing
Infection Control Deficiencies
ADHS is continuing to cite facilities for many of the same deficiencies that were cited just prior to COVID-19 and during the initial infection control (IC) focus surveys. The most common IC deficiencies cited from October 2020 through March 2021 are the use and availability of PPE and screening staff coming to work. There are TIP Sheets available for you to review to help you avoid these deficiencies. We suggest you review each TIP Sheet and use it to audit your systems. Don’t get cited for these common deficiencies!
|
Infection Control Support at Your Finger Tips
An incredible benefit of the DR EPIC program is access to subject matter experts with just a few keystrokes or a quick phone call. Our clinical and industrial hygiene teams are ready to answer your specific questions by email (epic@azhca.org) or a call to (602) 241-4644. Once your inquiry is received, it will be evaluated and the proper EPIC consultant(s) will address your questions as quickly as possible; typically within 24 hours. The best part of this service is that it is FREE and confidential. Got questions about infection control? Make sure that your entire team knows that they have support from the EPIC program.
|
|
Lifelines for your
Infection Preventionist (IP)
A brief review of recent survey activity during the past six months reveals that multiple facilities have been cited for not having a trained Infection Preventionist (IP). There has also been a significant turnover in IP positions over the past few months. The role of the IP is not likely to change in the long run, post-COVID-19. The DR EPIC clinical team is now developing some lifelines for you:
1) There is a monthly call specifically for IPs to connect with a nationally known epidemiologist, DR EPIC consultant, Dr. Buffy Lloyd-Krejci. There have been two calls already (you can review the recording of these calls here and;
2) we are in the process of developing a checklist of responsibilities that IPs are required to accomplish.
This will all be discussed on the next IP call to be held May 27, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Send your IP's contact information to Kay Huff at khuff@azhca.org for the ZOOM link to participate.
|
|
Know the Details of
Evacuation Planning
When conducting a tabletop exercise, several issues may surface relating to specifics of any given emergency response activity. As an example, all skilled nursing facilities must conduct annual Fire Drills (one per quarter per shift). However, the complete Evacuation Plan may not be implemented during this drill.
Consequently, staff participating in the drill may not have a complete understanding of the components of the plan. Specific parts of the plan to discuss are; resident tagging, setting up a staging area, who manages the staging area, adequate transportation resources, destination locations, policy regarding resident to staff ratios during transport, continuation of infection control procedures during each of the steps. Here is a resource that may serve as an Evacuation Plan template, though you will need to insert your own specific facility information.
|
|
1135 Blanket Waiver Remains in Effect for Life Safety Considerations
The provisions of the CMS 1135 Blanket Waiver pertaining to Life Safety Code compliance remain in effect through the end of the declared emergency for COVID-19. Presently, the declared emergency has been extended to July 21, 2021. Specific details of Life Safety Code requirements that have been modified under the blanket waiver can be found at this link starting on page 28. Contact Stan Szpytek, Disaster Ready / EPIC Consultant with any specific questions at Stan@azhca.org or call at (708) 707-6363.
|
Understand the Nursing Home Incident Command System
Disaster may strike at any time! We strongly encourage facilities to train and cross train staff to become familiar with the Nursing Home Incident Command System (NHICS). The best practice is to have at least three people deep in each of the positions including Command, Operations, Planning, Logistics and Finance / Administration. Becoming familiar with the roles and responsibilities of each of the positions and practicing these roles during routine daily activities and small emergencies will assist in the management of a larger-scale emergency. Be prepared! For more information on NHICS training contact Gil Damiani at gild@azhca.org.
|
|
Top Ten Tip Sheet: Tuberculosis
Infection control surveys are still focusing on Tuberculosis (TB) screening so make sure that all of your screening assessment and documentation is up to date for both staff and residents. This issue may have taken a back seat to COVID-19 infection control, but know that it remains important and is a frequently cited deficiency.
|
|
Onboarded COVID-19 Vaccinator Providers
Can Now Use Moderna
ADHS announced that starting, Monday May 3, 2021, all facilities that have onboarded to be vaccinators may start ordering the Moderna vaccine through the Arizona Immunization Information System (ASIIS). Providers may order up to 200 doses per order and are allowed one order every two weeks. Providers can learn more about the ADHS provider onboarding at ADHS - ASIIS.
|
|
DR EPIC Helpline Question |
Q: Are facilities required to provide residents and their families/representatives information about emergency preparedness?
“The LTC facility must develop and maintain an emergency preparedness communication plan. The communication plan must include…(8) A method for sharing information from the emergency plan, that the facility has determined is appropriate, with residents [or clients] and their families or representatives. LTC facilities and ICF/IIDs are required to share emergency preparedness plans and policies with their residents/clients, family members, and resident representatives or client representatives, respectively. Facilities have flexibility in deciding what information from the emergency plan should be shared, as well as the timing and manner in which it should be disseminated.”
|
|
Check out our DR EPIC Helpline!
To submit questions, email the DR EPIC online Help Center at EPIC@azhca.org. You can also call the DR EPIC phone Helpline at 602-241-4644 and we will assist you.
Don’t forget to utilize our DR EPIC website for valuable infection prevention resources! Go to: EPIC.DisasterReadyaz.org to explore these tools.
|
|
Questions? Contact EPIC@azhca.org |This program is funded by ADHS HPP
The Disaster Ready Emergency Preparedness Infection Control (DR EPIC) program provides education and technical assistance for skilled nursing providers throughout the state. Individual providers will need to exercise their independent discretion in how to apply this information and technical assistance to the unique operation of each facility. For that reason, a facility’s of its professional judgment and due diligence in utilizing the program for infection control and risk management practices is solely within the facility’s control for which it is entirely responsible.
Copyright 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
