Greetings!

This update includes:

Sincerely,

April Payne, LNHA

Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL

Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living 

VDH Updated Guidance on Testing for COVID-19

 

VDH has revised its guidance on testing for COVID-19. Testing capacity at  commercial, private, and hospital laboratories performing SARS-CoV-2 testing continues to increase in Virginia. As a result, in May, Virginia’s state laboratory, the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS), will transition its services to support public health testing as outlined by the agency.  

 

Until May 31, 2020, if testing in the private sector is not available, clinicians may request testing for patients at DCLS by submitting the  online COVID-19 Testing Request Form.

VDH FAQ on Expansion of Point Prevalence Surveys

VDH is expanding the availability of point prevalence surveys for long term care providers with the assistance of the Virginia National Guard. VDH previously issued this Point Prevalence Survey Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities, which has now been supplemented with the following FAQs.  

 

What is a Point Prevalence Survey (PPS)?

A point prevalence study involves testing staff and residents for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The results from a PPS can describe the scope and magnitude of COVID-19 in a facility and can sometimes help inform additional prevention and control efforts designed to further limit transmission. 

 

Who will be tested? 

VDH recommends testing all staff and residents in facilities with two or more confirmed cases of COVID-19.

 

What is the purpose of testing all residents?

Early experience from long-term care facilities with COVID-19 cases suggests that when residents with COVID-19 are identified, there are often asymptomatic residents with SARS-CoV-2 present as well. Conducting a PPS of all residents in the facility can identify infected residents who can be cohorted on a pre-specified unit or transferred to a COVID-specific facility. 

 

What is the purpose of testing all staff?

Early experience suggests that, despite healthcare personnel (HCP) symptom screening, when COVID-19 cases are identified in a long-term care facility, there are often HCP with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection present as well. HCP likely contribute to the introduction and further spread of SARS-CoV-2 within long term care facilities.

 

How should my facility prepare?

Facility leadership should be prepared for the potential to identify multiple asymptomatic residents and staff. CDC guidance on responding to COVID-19 in long term care facilities should be reviewed by the appropriate infection prevention staff in your facility. 

 

How do I schedule a PPS? 

A coordinator from VDH will reach out to the facility to schedule. VDH is prioritizing facilities with at least two laboratory confirmed cases of COVID-19 in residents. 

 

How will I get the results?

VDH or the testing laboratory will inform you of the results. The results will be reported back to the facility within 24 hours of the testing laboratory receiving the specimens. General guidance about what to do with the results will be communicated with the facility point of contact. 

 

What changes might happen based on the results?

Results from a PPS will lead to infection prevention and control actions such as:

 

Is a PPS required?

No; a facility can opt out of a PPS.

VDH COVID-19 Resources for LTC Facilities

VDH has issued an updated version of its COVID-19 Resources for LTC Facilities. The agency is issuing this to local health districts to promote consistency across the state. It is intended to apply to nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and other LTCF settings.

 

The document highlights some measures that should already be in place and additional steps that should be taken during the state of emergency for COVID-19. The guidance is based on CDC and CMS recommendations.

Still Waiting for NHSN to Complete Your Registration?

Start Data Collection Now.

Is your nursing center still waiting access to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 reporting module? There is a lag time between initiating registration to NHSN and completion of the registration process due to the number of long term care facilities that are trying to gain access. NHSN is reporting a 24-48 hour, and in some instances longer, lag time between initial registration to actual completion of registration and the ability to use the COVID-19 reporting module. 

While waiting for the registration process to complete, you should download the four data collection pathway forms and accompanying instructions to start collecting the data that you will be uploading to NHSN once registration process is complete. It is extremely important to download, and refer to, the instructions page for each of the four data collection pathways. Refer to the definitions of each term prior to completing the data collection form. 

The four data collection pathway forms are: