Category: Infection Control & Prevention

Reporting Annual Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data through NHSN (Long-Term Care Facilities)

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Initial Webinar

November 19, 2024: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for the initial webinar on November 19: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_3AMj__gqSkarSwKquC-T3A

 

Replay Session

December 3, 2024: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Register in advance for the webinar replay on December 3: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_84q-qGZ3RHWOxlL7jhnPhQ

 

The content of both webinars is the same. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the webinar.

Update for LTCF Respiratory Pathogens, Vaccination, and Point of Care Modules

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Below is important information regarding current technical issues in the application for the RPV and POC modules in the Long-term Care Facility Component. We thank you for your patience as we are working hard to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.

Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination (RPV) Module

Healthcare Personnel (HCP) menu tab

The COVID-19 Vaccination – HCP tab is not currently visible from the menu when you hover over Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination on the home page. This form was not removed, and there are no changes in reporting requirements. You can still access this form by clicking RPV Summary and selecting the reporting week from the calendar view. We will inform users when the COVID-19 Vaccination – HCP tab has been restored.

Analysis and Reporting – HCP

To view HCP COVID-19 Vaccination data, please utilize the report titled “Line Listing – All COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary Data – HCP” under Respiratory Pathogens and Vaccination > Archived > COVID-19 Vaccination. Currently, the version of this report in the RPV Summary folder is not working appropriately, however the line list mentioned above in the Archived folder will populate the HCP data appropriately. We will inform users when the COVID-19 Vaccination – HCP line list within the RPV Summary folder is functioning as intended.

Archived: COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Pathways Module

There is a technical issue with the COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Pathways Module preventing users from adding and/or editing data for dates prior to 9/30/24. The issue is occurring for both facility and group users. We will inform users when this function has been restored.

Point of Care Module

There is a technical issue in the Point of Care (POC) test result reporting tool requiring an answer to be selected for gender identity, even though this question is not indicated as a required field for manual test result data entry. This issue does not affect .csv uploads.

Questions

Please use NHSN-ServiceNow to submit questions to the NHSN Help Desk. The portal can be accessed here or through your CDC Secure Access Management Services (SAMS) account. After logging into SAMS, the NHSN-ServiceNow is located at the bottom at the bottom of the page.

Free Fall Vaccine Season Clinics

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HQIN is offering your facility a unique opportunity to receive support from local community pharmacies for the current fall COVID-19 vaccine season.

HQIN will connect you with a local pharmacy that will provide highly trained pharmacists, pharmacy technicians or community health workers (CHWs) to work directly with you to provide:

  • COVID-19 vaccination clinics for your residents and staff.
  • Accurate information about vaccinations.

Your Facility Will:

  • Be offered assistance to improve vaccination rates.
  • Be positioned to connect with and establish relationships with local pharmacy providers.
  • Benefit from added support, services and more!

Take advantage of this offer by clicking the link below to provide us with a few details. You will then receive an email from the team, who will facilitate connecting you with a local pharmacy.

HQIN Nursing Home COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Support Request Form

These Programs End October 31. Don’t Miss Out!

Infection Prevention and Control Office Hours

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Sessions Begin on September 18 at 12 p.m. ET

Register now to join free virtual Infection Prevention and Control Office Hours, which address topics concerning respiratory virus season.

The focus will be on COVID-19 and strategies to decrease transmission among nursing home residents and staff. This series is tailored specifically for long-term care facilities, providing valuable support in areas such as COVID-19 prevention, immunization strategies and strategies to stay healthy. These sessions will help you discover ways to enhance care for both residents and staff.

Please see this flyer for details and registration

Healthcare Quality and Worker Safety Information from CDC

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Exciting News! CORHA Launches Newly Redesigned Website – CORHA, The Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens (AR) (CORHA) has recently launched a newly redesigned website. The new site offers enhanced features and expanded information to improve user experience, accessibility, and functionality.

 

Long-Term Care Webinar: 2024-2025 Respiratory Virus Season Updates – Please join CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 1 p.m. EDT for an overview of the latest respiratory virus vaccination recommendations, testing and treatment guidance, and infection prevention strategies. Long-term care facility residents are often at high risk of respiratory infections and severe disease due to respiratory viruses. A combination of interventions can protect residents and staff health during respiratory virus season.

Register: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_H4-bbiGEQyOCaP7YUT8Jng

 

ICYMI: CDC and AMA Respiratory Virus Season latest information – During the event, speakers from CDC, including CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, provided important updates on protecting patients and others against influenza, COVID-19, and RSV. Updates included:

  • Emerging immunization issues, as well as recommendations and resources for providers.
  • Reminders about treatments available for patients at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

Preview of new HHS vaccination education campaign – Risk Less. Do More.

Antimicrobial Stewardship for LTCF

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NEW FREE RESOURCE

The Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program has created a free antimicrobial stewardship playbook made for long-term care facilities (LTCF). This playbook includes background information on the state of antimicrobial stewardship in LTCF in Missouri and includes 17 ready-to-use tools and templates to help with antimicrobial stewardship efforts within your facility. Please share this playbook with anyone in your facility that is involved with antimicrobial stewardship activities and efforts.

A link to the playbook is provided here: https://health.mo.gov/professionals/antibiotic-stewardship/pdf/asp-playbook-ltc.pdf.

A link to the MODHSS LTC Antimicrobial Stewardship webpage is provided here: https://health.mo.gov/professionals/antibiotic-stewardship/tools-ltc.php.

Also of news, the HAI/AR program now has an antimicrobial stewardship pharmacist on staff to help answer questions, provide educational content, and help collaborate with antimicrobial stewardship projects and initiatives within your facilities, along with all healthcare facility types in the state. This can also be a great opportunity to participate in a free, non-regulatory assessment of your stewardship program efforts to try and meet antimicrobial stewardship requirements.

If you are interested in hearing more about this, or have questions about healthcare-associated infections, Candida auris, or other multidrug-resistant organisms, please reach out to the DHSS HAI/AR program for more information.

HAI/AR Program Contact Information
Phone: 573-751-6113
Email: HAI_Reporting@health.mo.gov

Dental Health Pilot Program

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Help improve the health of your residents by participating in a dental health pilot program!

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Dental Health (ODH) has developed a pilot program to deliver on-site interventional care to long-term care residents to reduce adverse health risks to residents in a cost-effective manner. Oral infections in older adults significantly increase the risk of pneumonia, acute diabetic problems, cardiovascular events and acute rheumatic arthritis episodes. This highlights the need for good oral health care for long-term care facilities (LTCF) residents.

Please see this flyer for more information.

Infection Prevention Books

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The Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance Program is providing copies of Infection Prevention Guide to Long-Term Care, 2nd edition, and The Infection Preventionist’s Guide to the Lab free of charge to all Missouri Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and Residential Care Facilities. Please utilize these free resources for Infection Prevention in your facility. These books are being mailed via UPS to each facility and you should be receiving them soon.

If there are any questions please contact the Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance Program at (573) 751-6113.

Phase III Listserv Announcement Update

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Earlier this week you received information regarding Phase III of the Department of Health and Senior Services COVID Prevention and Response Project. This final Phase includes free PPE items shipped directly to all Missouri Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and Residential Care Facilities.

Shipment of the PPE kits from Concordance Healthcare have begun!

Shipments will be coming to facilities directly from Concordance Healthcare via UPS. Signatures will be required by the UPS driver, so please alert your office staff of the expected delivery.

This is a one-time shipment of PPE which is being sent automatically to your facility.

The shipment will contain nine (9) boxes of:

  • 1 case Small Nitrile Gloves (10 Boxes of 250 gloves)
  • 1 case Medium Nitrile Gloves (10 Boxes of 250 gloves)
  • 1 case Large Nitrile Gloves (10 Boxes of 250 gloves)
  • 1 case Extra Large Nitrile Gloves (10 Boxes of 250 gloves)
  • 1 case Surgical Masks (300)
  • 1 case N95 Respirator Mask (200)
  • 1 case Large Isolation Gowns (10 Packs of 10 gowns)
  • 1 case Extra Large Isolation Gowns (10 Packs of 10 gowns)
  • 1 case ACON COVID Test Kits (12 boxes of 24 tests)

If your facility is registered as having over 100 beds, you shall receive two kits, for a total of 18 boxes of PPE.

These medical items will assist all long-term care facilities in providing needed infection protection for residents, staff, and visitors. These kits are being provided free of charge through the Nursing Home & Long-Term Care Facility Strike Team and Infrastructure Project.

As always should you have any questions regarding this project, please contact mary.menges@health.mo.gov.

DHSS Antibiotic Stewardship Survey

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The Missouri Antimicrobial Stewardship Educational Collaborative is working with Washington University on an antibiotic stewardship project and are seeking input from Skilled Nursing Facility and other Long Term Care Facilities (Intermediate, Assisted, and Residential Care Facilities), in addition to MO hospitals. Please take a few minutes to complete their survey.

Washington University School of Medicine is performing a survey on behalf of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Hospital Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program.

The survey can be found at the attached link here: Survey Link. It should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

This survey is intended to evaluate the current state of antimicrobial stewardship activities at Missouri long-term care facilities. Please forwards it to whomever at your facility is most involved with the antimicrobial stewardship and the management of antimicrobial use, or if no such person exists your medical director or pharmacy leadership. We request this survey be completed by March 1, 2024.

For any questions regarding this facility antimicrobial stewardship survey, please submit a new email to mo.stewardship@wustl.edu; use “MO DHSS Antimicrobial Stewardship Survey” in the subject line.

We appreciate the time you take to complete these surveys!

Candida auris Information

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The Healthcare-Associated Infections/ Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program at the Department of Health and Senior Services held a webinar on December 20, 2023 to outline recommended actions resulting from recent cases of Candida auris (C. auris) detected in Missouri. C. auris is considered an urgent threat according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A Health Alert with more information can be found here.

The informational webinar on the emerging C. auris situation in MO has been posted along with the PowerPoint presentations. The recording and PowerPoints can be found here: https://health.mo.gov/data/hai/index.php under the heading “Candida auris Informational Webinar”.

You may also view this C. auris Information Sheet for LTC for more information.

If there are any questions please contact the HAI/AR program at 573-751-6113 or info@health.mo.gov.

LTCF December 2023 Updates

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Below is important information regarding modifications to the Long-term Care Facility COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Module and the COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Vaccination Module. The changes described below are now visible within the NHSN application. These updates became effective beginning the week of December 17, 2023. Resources on the NHSN LTCF COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Module webpage and the COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Vaccination Modules webpage have been updated, where indicated, with revised forms, instructions, FAQs, and CSV templates.

IMPORTANT UPDATES:

Geolocation

The geolocation function is now available within the application. To complete this item, select the icon on the alerts page that is labeled “Facility Geolocation.”

Point of Care (POC) Test Reporting Tool

No enhancements

State Veterans Homes COVID-19 Event Reporting Tool

No enhancements

COVID-19/Respiratory Pathogens Pathway Data Reporting

  • Optional Influenza/RSV Tab
  • NEW! Data reported to the optional Influenza/RSV tab can now be viewed as a report/line list by using the Analysis tab within the application. The analysis function is a tool that can be used to view data reported to NSHN. Please note, reporting to the Influenza/RSV tab is OPTIONAL.

COVlD-19/Respiratory Pathogens Vaccination Influenza and RSV Line List Report for Residents

New! You can now use the Influenza / RSV line listing report to review your facility’s data (or your group’s data) submitted for weekly reporting of Influenza and RSV vaccination rates for residents. These data are included in the line list “Line Listing: All COVID-19 Vaccination Cumulative Summary Data – Residents” found under COVID-19 Module > COVID-19 Vaccination in the analysis tab within the NHSN application.

COVlD-19/Respiratory Pathogens Vaccination Summary Form Changes for Healthcare Personnel

New! Form changes take place 1/1/2024 (Quarter 1, 2024)

  • Questions related to COVID-19 primary series vaccination will be removed
  • The question about HCP being up to date with COVID-19 vaccination (formerly Question #4) is moved up on the form to Question #2
  • Questions 3.1-3.3 will now refer to those who are not up to date in Question #2
  • HCP should not be considered up to date for COVID-19 vaccination unless they received the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine

COVlD-19/Respiratory Pathogens Vaccination Trainings

Webinar dates posted below and on the website under the “Announcement Section”

Initial Session

When: January 4, 2024 1:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Updates to Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Healthcare Personnel Summary Form: Long Term Care Component
Register in advance for this webinar: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_3CPOEhCYQp-bEXz1JexBaA

Replay Session

When: January 9, 2024 2:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Updates to Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Healthcare Personnel Summary Form: Long Term Care Component
Register in advance for this webinar: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_woL3InfGQkKXa8mCK26_-w

Replay Session

When: January 16, 2024 1:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Replay: Updates to Weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Healthcare Personnel Summary Form: Long Term Care Component
Register in advance for this webinar: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_TZHB8MsHQ0atRx9N3tNRuA#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

CDC Health Advisory

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Please see the CDC Health Alert, entitled, “Urgent Need to Increase Immunization Coverage for Influenza, COVID-19, and RSV Immunizations and Use of Authorized/Approved Therapeutics in the Setting of Increased Respiratory Disease Activity During the 2023 – 2024 Winter Season.”

Missouri healthcare providers please contact your local public health agency or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ (DHSS) Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention at 573-751-6113 or 800-392-0272 (24/7) with questions regarding this CDC Health Advisory.

New QIPMO Newsletter – November 2023

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The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) has published MDS Tips and Clinical Pearls (Volume 11, Issue 1).

In this issue:

  • Recruit, Recruit, Recruit
  • The Importance of Discussing One’s Health Care Wishes
  • ICAR Corner
  • Are You Meeting the Baseline Care Plan Requirements?
  • What’s in the Water? Water-borne Illness

Please visit QIPMO’s website here for this and other previous newsletters.

Update – Infection Prevention Toolkits

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On September 29, 2023, you received information from the LTC List Serve regarding the Infection Prevention Toolkit that would be delivered to your facility later this month as part of the COVID Prevention and Response Project of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). DHSS has entered into an agreement with Concordance Healthcare Solutions to deliver this Infection Prevention Toolkit to your facility with costs being paid by the Nursing Home & Long-Term Care Facility Strike Team and Infrastructure Project.

Contents of this Infection Prevention Toolkit include:

Pulse Oximeter: Fingertip
Digital Non-Contact Thermometer
3M Fit Testing Kit: BITREX
3M Fit Testing Solution: Saccharin 55 mL Fluid Volume
3M Respirator Wipes: Non-Alcohol
Glo Germ Glo Box Kit with 8oz gel

For those facilities who are in need of Respiratory Fit Testing assistance please contact the Healthcare Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance Program at LTCStrikeTeam@health.mo.gov.

We will be using the administrator’s name and facility address as listed on the DHSS Website https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/licensecert.php as well as the information for the eight hospital based skilled nursing facilities for delivery and contact purposes. Shipment of the Toolkits will begin the week of October 23, 2023.

Phase II of the COVID Prevention and Response Project will focus on working with the facilities in hopes of acquiring needed communication equipment to assist in outbreak control, training and real-time communication with healthcare providers and the Strike Team. In the coming weeks you will receive information on how to order these devices.

Please contact Mary Menges, Project Specialist, at mary.menges@health.mo.gov should you have any questions or concerns regarding with project.

Collecting Healthcare Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data through NHSN for Long-term Care Facilities

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Below is some key information to help long-term care facilities (LTCFs) prepare for collecting annual healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination summary data for the 2023-2024 influenza season.

Which facilities are required to report these data?

  • CMS-certified skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are required to report HCP influenza vaccination summary data through NHSN.

What data are submitted?

  • The reporting period for the 2023-2024 influenza season is from October 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024. Facilities are only required to submit one report that covers the entire reporting period by May 15, 2024.

How should facilities submit these data?

  • Facilities must report annual HCP influenza vaccination summary data through the NHSN Healthcare Personnel Safety (HPS) Component.

Who can activate the HPS Component?

  • Only the NHSN Facility Administrator (FA) can activate a new component. The NHSN FA can then add users, including the HPS Component Primary Contact, once the component is activated.
  • If the NHSN FA leaves the facility but does not transfer the role of FA to another individual prior to leaving, please complete the NHSN Facility Administrator Change Request Form: https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/facadmin/index.html.
  • Please do not de-activate any other NHSN Components, such as the LTC Facility Component.

How can LTCFs add the HPS Component?

Where can facilities access training materials?

What are key training materials for LTCFs?

Are there any upcoming trainings for LTCFs?

  • Yes, there will be two refresher trainings on reporting annual HCP influenza vaccination summary data on November 21 and November 28. The content for each webinar is the same. After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information about joining the webinar.

When: Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 1:00 PM ET
Register in advance for this webinar: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_PcTHDlv6SC6xyA1VYUEurQ

When: Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 1:00 PM ET
Register in advance for this webinar: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_lx1CWu4OSTmUDyuPgoo7AA

Who do facilities contact with questions?

  • Please direct all questions regarding CMS SNF QRP requirements and deadlines to: SNFQualityQuestions@cms.hhs.gov.
  • If you have any additional questions or concerns, please use NHSN-ServiceNow to submit questions to the NHSN Help Desk. The new portal can be accessed here and should be used in place of nhsn@cdc.gov. ServiceNow will help the NHSN team respond to your questions faster. Users will be authenticated using CDC’s Secure Access Management Services (SAMS), the same way you access NHSN. If you do not have a SAMS login, or are unable to access ServiceNow, you can still e-mail the NHSN Help Desk at: nhsn@cdc.gov, with “HPS Flu Summary – LTCF” in the e-mail subject line.

Thank you for your efforts reporting annual HCP influenza vaccination summary data through NHSN.

Infection Control Resources Coming Your Way!

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Message from the Department of Health and Senior Services Strike Team Project

The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) through the use of the Nursing Home & Long-Term Care Facility Strike Team and Infrastructure Project funds is embarking upon a multiphase project to assist in COVID prevention and response. All Missouri Skilled Nursing Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities and Residential Care Facilities will be a part of this project.

Following models from other states, Phase I of this project will be the delivery of an Infection Prevention Toolkit to all of the above mentioned facilities. This Infection Prevention Toolkit will be delivered at no cost to all of the facilities. Later this fall the Healthcare Associated Infections/Anti-microbial Resistance Program will also be sending out two infection control reference books from the Association for Professional Infection Control and Epidemiology to assist the facilities in infection prevention.

Additional information will be coming in early October on the delivery of the Infection Prevention Toolkits as well as outlining the contents of the Infection Prevention Toolkit and expected date of shipping. Again, this Infection Prevention Toolkit will be delivered to your facility at NO Cost.

The next Phase of this project will be working with the facilities in hopes of acquiring needed communication equipment to assist in outbreak control, training and real-time communication with healthcare providers and the Strike Team. Lastly, we hope to offer the facilities the opportunity to order needed infection and prevention supplies.

Thank you all for your continued efforts to care and protect the citizens of our State.

HQIN Vaccination Campaign

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In our continued effort to support the well-being of older adults, the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN) has launched a campaign to promote and increase adult vaccinations (including the COVID-19 vaccine) that are proven to lower the risk of illness, hospitalization and death.

The “Your Health Can’t Wait, Vaccinate!” campaign features a variety of free resources to help encourage community members, healthcare providers and older adults to get and stay current with their vaccinations. These resources include social media messaging (images and sample posts), informational pocket cards, customizable letters, sample email signatures and flyers.

Bookmark the HQIN Resource Center and visit often to access the latest additions. New tools are added as information becomes available from nationally recognized agencies and organizations (CDC, ACIP, etc.).

Please join us in spreading the word about lifesaving vaccines. Attached is a sample newsletter article that can be used in electronic or print communications, or even on your organization’s website.

Fit Testing Train-the Trainer Sessions

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March 31, 2023: Fitzgibbon Hospital, Marshall
April 12, 2023: Heisinger Bluffs Western Campus, Jefferson City
April 27, 2023: DHSS Regional Office, Poplar Bluff
April 28, 2023: Cape Girardeau Public Library, Cape Girardeau
May 2, 2023: Comfort Inn and Suites, Macon
May 25, 2023: Maranatha Village Community Center, Springfield

Regional Respiratory Fit Testing Train-the-Trainer sessions are being offered throughout Missouri by the Health Quality Innovation Network (HQIN), which is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Quality Innovation Network – Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for the state, and the Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) Infection Control and Assessment Response (ICAR) Team. The training is to ensure long-term care facilities have qualified staff to provide respirator fit testing. In addition, the attendee can train others in the proper procedures for fit testing. This training is for qualitative testing using a hood and not quantitative testing.

See flyer for information on Fit Testing Training sessions.

COVID and Flu A/B Test Kits

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  • ALERT: DHSS 30-Day Pause of PPE and Test Kit Shipping Operations on January 31, 2023

DHSS will pause shipping operations on January 31, 2023 for up to 30 days to complete inventory and transition warehouse operations to a new platform. Orders for PPE and Flow Flex Antigen Test Kits will need to be placed prior to January 27, 2023 for shipment on January 30, 2023. Please ensure your last order will cover PPE and Antigen Test Kit needs through March 1, 2023. During the pause, orders will not be processed or shipped. However, once shipping resumes March 1, 2023, PPE and Antigen Test Kits will be shipped daily upon approval and order processing.

 

  • FREE COVID-19/Flu A&B TEST KITS

DHSS is now offering free lifeSign Status COVID-19/Flu A&B Test kits to long-term care facilities.  These testing supplies are currently in limited supply, therefore, LTC facilities should continue to use COVID-19 antigen testing supplies as indicated. Orders may be placed now. Shipping will begin on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

Application for Status COVID-19/Flu A&B Test Kits

When to use Flow Flex COVID-19 antigen test kit VS Status COVID-19/Flu A&B Test kit:

  1. Use Flow Flex for residents with known COVID-19 exposure
  2. Use Flow Flex for residents during the facility COVID-19 outbreak, or high COVID community level
  3. Use Status test kit if COVID exposure is unknown or unlikely
  4. Use Status test during the facility influenza outbreak, or high influenza activity in the community
  5. Do not use Status test for COVID detection if patient symptomatic for more than 5 days

Long Term Care Facilities must add to the facility’s CLIA certificate:

Adding lifeSign Status COVID-19/Flu A&B Test kits to Your CLIA Test Menu

The CLIA program has developed an email template that you can copy and paste, fill in the blanks, and email to CLIA@health.mo.gov to update your test menu to include lifeSign Status COVID-19/Flu A&B.

Email Subject line: Add COVID-19 Testing to existing CLIA Certificate for [FACILITY NAME]

Lab/Facility Name:

  

Existing CLIA Waived Lab #:

  

Lab Director Name:

  

Which COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2 Waived Test system added?
Check [X] all that may apply.

[    ] Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card
[    ] Acon FlowFlex
[    ] Quidel Sofia 2 SARS-CoV-2 Antigen assay
[    ] Becton Dickinson Veritor™ Plus Antigen test kit
[    ] Abbott ID Now
[ X ] OTHER Waived test(s) approved by FDA EUA (specify below): lifeSign Status COVID-19/Flu A&B Test kits

As the Laboratory Director or administrator/owner’s agent of record for the CLIA facility holding a Waived Certificate identified above, I wish to append my facility’s existing CLIA# to include additional testing for COVID-19. I attest that my facility will provide reasonable assurances that:

  1. All testing personnel for COVID-19 will be provided adequate and documented training
  2. All Manufacturer’s Instructions for Use (IFU) will be strictly adhered to

All tests results (both positive and negative) will be reported to the proper public health entities under federal and state requirements. See MO DHSS link regarding reporting: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/how-to-report-lab-results.php
 

 

Reporting Positive Influenza Results

As a reminder, all influenza results must be reported on a weekly basis, in aggregate, to your LPHA using the Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza Weekly Worksheet for Reporters.

For additional information about influenza, including Missouri’s reporting rules, please see https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/communicabledisease/cdmanual/pdf/Influenza.pdf or contact MO DHSS, Bureau of Communicable Disease and prevention at (573) 751 -6113.

 

Reporting Positive COVID-19 Tests

Facilities performing their own COVID-19 testing (antigen testing) must report positive results through one of the following portals:

  1. Missouri Disease Reporting Online Portal (MODROP)
  2. In bulk via HL7 or CSV file using the DHSS- Electronic Lab Reporting process
  3. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) or the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Informatics Messaging Services (AIMS) Platform.

Facilities using an external laboratory (PCR testing) must enter positive case information into MODROP.

The Missouri Disease Reporting Online Portal (MODROP). MODROP can be accessed directly from https://modrop.health.mo.gov/ or by using the existing ECD-1 link at https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/case-reporting.php and selecting the MODROP button.

NOTE: The recommended browser for use of MODROP is Google Chrome. Other browsers may cause issues with MODROP.

Facilities will need to register for a MODROP account the first time they use the new portal. MODROP allows reporting of only COVID-19 cases. Reports of other reportable conditions may be faxed to 573-751-6417.

If you have any questions or encounter any issues utilizing MODROP or for questions about HL7 or CSV reporting, please reach out to the EpiTrax Help Desk via e-mail at epitrax@health.mo.gov.

Please see the FAQ and thank you for your efforts to provide complete and accurate COVID-19 data to public health.

TB Testing

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There has been confusion regarding whether the IGRA (T-SPOT) blood test is acceptable for residents of LTC facilities. There was a revision to state statute 199.290 in 2013 that allows for the use of IGRA for healthcare facility workers. However, a revision was not made to 19 CSR 20.100, which states residents must be tested using the two-step TST.

We received clarification from DCPH that residents can be tested using the IGRA blood test, which is in alignment with CDC guidelines. DCPH staff indicated they are looking at revisions to 19 CSR 20-20.100 but did not give a timeframe on when this might occur. This means IGRA is acceptable for residents and staff. Our TB Flowsheets reflect this on our website (https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/providerinfo.php).

New QIPMO Newsletter – November 2022

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The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) has published MDS Tips and Clinical Pearls (Volume 10, Issue 1).

In this issue:

  • Punching Out Parkinson’s and Other “Therapies”
  • Will the Flu Strike You?
  • Remember Your Why
  • Employee Engagement
  • ICAR Corner

Please visit QIPMO’s website here for this and other previous newsletters.

Free CE Webinar – Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes

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November 15, 2022: Implementation and Use of Enhanced Barrier Precautions in Nursing Homes
Presenters: Abimbola (Bola) Ogundimu, DrPH, RN, CIC, CPHQ; Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC; Heather Jones, DNP, NP-C; Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC; and Linda Behan BSN, RN, CIC; Consultant; Long Term Care Infection Prevention, LLC
Moderator: Kara Jacobs Slifka, MD, MPH; Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC

You are invited to a webinar discussing Enhanced Barrier Precautions in nursing homes. Enhanced Barrier Precautions protect nursing home residents and staff from germs that can cause serious infections and are hard to treat.

Join for a detailed review and discussion about this CDC infection prevention and control recommendation. In addition, hear directly from a long-term care Infection Preventionist about her successes and challenges implementing Enhanced Barrier Precautions in several nursing homes. Presentations will be followed by a conversation with the experts about frequently asked questions from the field.