Category: Long Term Care Blog

UPDATED CDC Guidelines for Isolation/Quarantine

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Facility Employees/Healthcare Personnel

All Residential Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities should follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines related to managing healthcare personnel who have tested positive or an exposure to COVID-19.

Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | CDC

For Certified SNF/ICF providers, current CMS guidance QSO 20-38 states “If COVID-19 is confirmed, staff should follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines “Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with SARS­CoV2 Infection”, therefore, homes can immediately change policies and procedures to incorporate the updated changes from the CDC.

 

General Population/Visitors

All Residential Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, Intermediate Care Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities should follow current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines related to quarantine and isolation for visitors. Facilities should be aware of and follow the updated quarantine/isolation guidelines for visitors in your communities as well.

CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC

For Certified SNF/ICF providers, current CMS guidance QSO 20-39 states “Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should not enter the facility. Facilities should screen all who enter for these visitation exclusions. Homes can immediately change policies and procedures to incorporate the updated changes from the CDC.

COVID Testing Resources

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State Orders for Abbott BinaxNOW Tests

Missouri is experiencing constrained supplies of the BinaxNOW COVID antigen test cards. Thus, effective September 9, 2021, DHSS is implementing a revised BinaxNOW test ordering cadence in order to conserve supply and assure the optimum availability of BinaxNOW COVID antigen tests for all users. Until further notice, please order no more than two weeks supply of BinaxNOW tests for use by your facility or organization. If our supply allows larger quantities to be ordered, we will modify this process accordingly at that time and notify all users. https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/testing-resources.php

 

To Reinstate Direct Shipments of Abbott BinaxNOW from the Federal government:

Providers should email their facility information, shipping address and the BinaxNOW delivery Point of Contact for the facility and request to be added back onto the direct shipment list to Binax.Team@hhs.gov. Please be aware reinstatement depends upon available supply of tests to the Federal government and this can take several weeks to begin receiving shipments again.

 

Reimbursement for OUTBREAK Testing

A reminder that in order to furnish immediate aid and relief in response to the state of emergency due to the spread of COVID-19, the State of Missouri has made some funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund available to Missouri Long-Term Care facilities with COVID-19 Outbreaks. These funds are available to Long-Term Care facilities that experience an outbreak (one or more positive cases) and are conducting base-line facility testing and some immediate follow-up testing in order to contain outbreaks. For more information: https://apps.dss.mo.gov/LongTermCareCovid19Invoices/.

Updated Healthcare Worker Isolation and Quarantine Guidance

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The updated guidance for healthcare worker isolation and quarantine guidance has been updated on CDC’s website:

CDC Releases Updated Healthcare Worker Isolation and Quarantine Guidance to Prepare for Anticipated Increase in Omicron Cases

With the growing number of COVID-19 cases from the Omicron variant, and consistent with current understanding of the disease trajectory, CDC is releasing updated guidance (Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2) for isolation and quarantine for healthcare workers, decreasing their isolation time after infection with COVID-19. Additionally, CDC is releasing an update to guidance (Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages) for contingency and crisis management in the setting of significant healthcare worker shortages. These updates provide healthcare facilities with the strategies to limit the effects of staff shortages caused by COVID-19 on patient care and note that:

  • Healthcare workers with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic can return to work after 7 days with a negative test, and that isolation time can be cut further if there are staffing shortages.
  • Healthcare workers who have received all recommended COVID-19 vaccine doses including a booster do not need to quarantine at home following high-risk exposures.

Isolation relates to behavior after a confirmed infection, and quarantine is following exposure to the virus but without a confirmed infection.

These guidelines apply only to the healthcare workforce and may be revised to continue to protect both healthcare workers and patients as additional information on the Omicron variant becomes available to inform recommended actions. Additional information will be published as guidance on CDC’s website soon and shared with healthcare organizations and provider groups. CDC continues to evaluate isolation and quarantine recommendations for the broader population as we learn about the Omicron variant and will update the public as appropriate. CDC strongly encourages COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 5 and older and boosters for everyone 16 and older – vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and our healthcare system from the impact of COVID-19.

The following is attributable to CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky:

“As the healthcare community prepares for an anticipated surge in patients due to Omicron, CDC is updating our recommendations to reflect what we know about infection and exposure in the context of vaccination and booster doses. Our goal is to keep healthcare personnel and patients safe, and to address and prevent undue burden on our healthcare facilities. Our priority, remains prevention – and I strongly encourage all healthcare personnel to get vaccinated and boosted.”

Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions

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CMS has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document to address the questions received regarding visitation in Nursing Homes. This additional information is being provided to help residents, families and providers ensure that safe visitation can occur, especially during the holiday season. The FAQs can be found on the cms.gov emergencies page here and also in QSO-20-39-NH REVISED.

19 CSR 30-84.010 Nursing Assistant Training Program and 19 CSR 30-85.042 Administration and Resident Care Requirements for New and Existing Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities – REGULATION UPDATE NOTICE

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The proposed amendments affecting the nursing assistant training program referenced in regulation sets 19 CSR 30-84.010 Nursing Assistant Training Program and 19 CSR 30-85.042 Administration and Resident Care Requirements for New and Existing Intermediate Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities were published in the Code of State Regulations on November 30, 2021. The official new rules can be found on the Secretary of State’s website at: http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/19csr/19csr.asp.

The rules are located under Division 30 in Chapter 84 and Chapter 85. The effective date for the rules will be December 30, 2021.

If you have any questions regarding implementation of the rules, please contact the Section for Long-Term Care Regulation at 573-526-8524.

Ombudsman Program Update

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Regional Ombudsman Director, Donna Wobbe is retiring in January from Aging Best (formerly Central MO AAA). Donna has been a strong advocate and passionate about empowering residents. She has truly made a difference for so many long-term care residents and families throughout her ombudsman career. We wish Donna a Happy Retirement! Many of you know Ronda Giger who has worked at Aging Best alongside Donna. Ronda has promoted to the Regional Ombudsman Director role for Aging Best. Congratulations to Ronda!

MALA’s 2022 Train the Trainer

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January 12, 2022: Train the Trainer
March 2, 2022: Train the Trainer
May 4, 2022: Train the Trainer
July 6, 2022: Train the Trainer
September 7, 2022: Train the Trainer
November 2, 2022: Train the Trainer

Participants must receive approval in order to attend this workshop. Those wishing to attend must submit the application and all other necessary paperwork to MALA at least two weeks prior to the workshop date.

2022 MANHA Winterfest

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February 2-4, 2022: Reeling in Change – Get Hooked with MANHA
Location: Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield

Missouri Association of Nursing Home Administrators is pleased to invite you to attend our Winterfest Convention and Trade Show. The goal of this conference is to provide long-term care administrators and their staff practical and inspirational education hours along with the opportunity to network and socialize with colleagues. It is also the only MANHA sponsored conference that provides you a chance to view the latest technology, products, and services offered by suppliers.

MLN Nursing Home Administrator Conference

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March 2-4, 2022: 31st Annual Nursing Home Administrator Conference
Location: Virtual

The 31st Annual Nursing Home Administrators Conference will be held virtually. During these challenging times when person to person interaction is limited, the goal is to not only provide education but to also maintain connections and facilitate the networking that is part of a live event.

After registration, attendees will be sent a personal link and details regarding how to access and participate through the online event.

MALA’s 2022 ALF Assessment Training

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March 14-16, 2022: ALF Assessment Training

As required by 198.005 RSMo and 19 CSR 30-86.047, residents of Assisted Living Facilities are required to undergo a community based assessment performed by an appropriately trained and qualified individual. This individual must complete a DHSS approved 24-hour training program prior to performing resident assessments. The MALA ALF Assessment Training satisfies this regulatory requirement.

CMS Updates to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency 1135 Blanket Waiver

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CMS has updated the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency 1135 Blanket Waiver on 11/29/21.

The only change in this blanket waiver is for nursing homes for Food and Nutrition Services effective 11/26/21. This waiver applies to 42 CFR 483.60(a)(1) and 483.60(a)(2) under Food and Nutrition Services. This is a waiver for the qualifications of the qualified dietitian or other similarly qualified nutrition professional and the director of food services or the grace period.

The following requirements are waived:

  • Dietitians hired or contracted with prior to November 28, 2016, to meet the specified requirements no later than 5 years after November 28, 2016, or as required by state law; and
  • To designate a person to serve as the director of food and nutrition services who, for designations prior to November 28, 2016, meets the specified requirements no later than 5 years after November 28, 2016, or no later than 1 year after November 28, 2016, for designations after November 28, 2016.

Please see the CMS Public Health Emergency Blanket Waiver -11 29 2021.

Missouri Nursing Home Advisory Council – Infection Preventionist Roadmap Series

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Missouri Nursing Home Advisory Council has created another installment in their Infection Preventionist Roadmap Series for long-term care facilities. As we continue with our “IP Tip Sheets” to support the Infection Preventionist (IP) in their central role of leading the Infection Prevention & Control Program, we shift our focus to linen management. This sometimes-overlooked area of infection control can leave a facility vulnerable to an infection source. Having good procedures and policies in place that include infection control protocols is key to a successful linen management program.

Please see the Nursing Home Advisory Council IP Tip Sheet 4th Edition.

CDC Health Advisory: New SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Identified: Omicron Variant

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Please see the CDC Health Advisory, number 459, dated 12/01/2021, entitled, “New SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern Identified: Omicron (B.1.1.529) Variant.”

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.

CMS Memo QSO-22-04-ALL: Vaccination Regulation: Enforcement of Rule Imposing Vaccine Requirement for Health Care Staff in Medicare-and Medicaid-certified Providers and Suppliers is Suspended so Long as Court Ordered Injunctions Remain in Effect

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Survey and Enforcement of the Vaccine Requirement for Health Care Staff in Medicare-and Medicaid-certified Providers and Suppliers Suspended While Court Ordered Injunctions are in Effect: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will not enforce the new rule regarding vaccination of health care workers or requirements for policies and procedures in certified Medicare/Medicaid providers and suppliers (including nursing facilities, hospitals, dialysis facilities and all other provider types covered by the rule) while there are court-ordered injunctions in place prohibiting enforcement of this provision.

Please see the full memo or https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos-states-and/vaccination-regulation-enforcement-rule-imposing-vaccine-requirement-health-care-staff-medicare-and for details.

CMS Memo QSO 20-39-NH: Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19 (Revised 11-12-2021)

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CMS has issued updated visitation guidance for visitation in nursing homes. The new guidance includes that visitation is now allowed for all residents at all times. DHSS will be updating its guidance as well and it will be consistent with the CMS guidance. Long-term care facilities certified for Medicare and Medicaid are required to follow the CMS memo. All long-term care communities (SNF, ICF, ALF and RCF) may utilize the CMS guidance until the DHSS guidance is updated.

Please see the full memo at https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-39-nh-revised.pdf.

General Licensure Requirements – REGULATION UPDATE NOTICE

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19 CSR 30-82.010 General Licensure Requirements

The Department of Health and Senior Services, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation has drafted emergency and proposed amendments for regulation set 19 CSR 30-82.010 in order to create a temporary closure procedure for those Medicare and Medicaid federally certified facilities (intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities) licensed in Missouri which experience staffing shortages from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services emergency regulation 42 CFR part 483.

The emergency amendment for 19 CSR 30-82.010 was filed on November 10, 2021, with an effective date of November 29, 2021, and expiration of May 27, 2022. The emergency amendment can currently be viewed at: https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/AdRules/main/EmergenciesforInternet/19c30-82.010IE.pdf. The proposed amendment covering this same material will also be published in the same issue of the Missouri Register. The Register publication date is December 15, 2021 for the emergency and proposed amendments and can be found at: http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/moreg/moreg.asp.

NOTE: The public comment period for the proposed amendment will be from December 15, 2021 – January 14, 2022. The Department will be accepting comments during the comment period by mailing the comments to: Carmen Grover-Slattery, Regulation Unit Manager, Section for Long-Term Care Regulation, Division of Regulation and Licensure, PO Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570 or by emailing to: RegulationUnit@health.mo.gov.

The proposed amendment can be reviewed on our website at: https://health.mo.gov/about/proposedrules/.

2021 Annual SLCR Provider Meeting

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The 2021 Annual Section for Long-Term Care Regulation Provider Meeting was held virtually on November 10, 2021.

The recorded videos are available at https://missouri.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ehWffJkM2r7WSHk.

 

Many questions asked during presentation were asked and have been compiled into a document with answers in the attached Provider Meeting Q&A.

In response to some specific questions, please see this medical marijuana presentation that was given by SLCR.

 

Please see the agenda here.

PowerPoint Handouts
1. Welcome & Section Updates
2. Division Introductions
3. Nursing Home Discharges
4. The New CNA Testing Process
5. Immediate Jeopardy and Past Noncompliance
6. Psychosocial Impact
7. Oral Health
8. ICAR Project
9. Life Safety Code Presentation

 

COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination IFC-6: Presentation Slides and Video

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A message from CMS

Thank you for your interest in in the COVID-19 Omnibus Vaccine Rule (IFC-6). Last week’s stakeholder call had a limit of 10,000 participants and we exceeded that number. Please accept our apologies.

CMS has posted the presentation slides and a recording of the stakeholder call for your convenience.

To view the slides, visit https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-19-health-care-staff-vaccination-ifc-6-national-stakeholder-call-slides.pdf.

To view the video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHA0zY1aC-Y.

In addition to the resources above, CMS has prepared a frequently asked questions document, available here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-omnibus-staff-vax-requirements-2021.pdf.

Our next stakeholder call will be held on:
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
3:30 – 4:30 PM EST
To register in advance, visit https://cms.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_bCsmBuXfTnOCK0owoQVHvg.

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

*Please note we can only accommodate 10,000 participants so register early to guarantee your participation.*

Again, thank you for your interest in this important topic. We look forward to working with you and, appreciate your commitment to the safety of your staff and patients.

Level of Care Transformation (webinar posted)

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Exciting transformation is coming for the Level of Care (LOC) process effective 10/31/2021! Our current LOC Process (many of us have referred to as the DA124 A/B forms) is undergoing major changes!

Here are some of the highlights:

The application process will all be ELECTRONIC. You will fill out and submit forms online on the COMRU website at https://health.mo.gov/seniors/nursinghomes/pasrr.php. For example, the forms will be able to be sent from the hospital to the nursing home to COMRU, all in one system. This electronic link will be available starting October 29, 2021. COMRU will not process these application until November 1, 2021.

The process of evaluating Level of Care will also change. New areas will be evaluated and previous areas will be changed in order to provide the best assessment for determining Level of Care. You can read about the new process in the proposed Regulation at 19 CSR 30-81.030, https://health.mo.gov/about/proposedrules/, which will go into effect on 10/31/2021.

To help facilities prepare for these changes, COMRU hosted a webinar on 10/28/2021. The recorded version of the New LOC Webex Training may be found on the COMRU webpage. A Q & A document from this webinar is also available.

Additionally, COMRU will be hosting a follow-up Webex training for the LOC Transformation. Details below:

November 19, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

When it’s time, join your Webex meeting here – Join meeting

Join from the meeting link
https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/j.php?MTID=m0f8dc5933c03862f60654e49cfb9a1dd

Join by meeting number
Meeting number (access code): 2466 296 8040
Meeting password: A2CaeX3FZP9

Join by phone
1-650-479-3207 Call-in toll number (US/Canada)
+1-312-535-8110 United States Toll (Chicago)

New QIPMO Newsletter – November 2021

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The Quality Improvement Program for Missouri (QIPMO) has published MDS Tips and Clinical Pearls (Volume 9, Issue 1).

In this issue:

  • 5-Star Staff
  • Tube Feeding Monitoring
  • Giving Thanks
  • Accounts Payable
  • Red Light, Orange Light, Yellow Light, Blue?
  • More Than a Thousand Words

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

SNF Quality Reporting Program (QRP) Submission Deadline Reminder

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SNFs are required to report data to meet the SNF QRP requirements. The submission deadline for the SNF QRP is approaching. MDS data for 4/1/21 through 6/30/21 must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2021.

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 must be transmitted to CMS through the Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system to the Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES). No additional reporting is required.

As a reminder, it is recommended that providers run applicable CASPER reports prior to each quarterly reporting deadline, in order to ensure that all required data has been submitted.

Swingtech sends informational messages to SNFs that are not meeting APU thresholds on a quarterly basis ahead of each submission deadlines. If you need to add or change the email addresses to which these messages are sent, please email QRPHelp@swingtech.com and be sure to include your facility name and CMS Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested email updates.

More information about SNF QRP can be found on the following webpages:

Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Submission Deadline Reminder

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Nursing homes are required to electronically submit direct care staffing information to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system. Submissions must be received by the end of the 45th calendar day (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time) after the last day in each fiscal quarter to be considered timely. PBJ data for 7/1/21 through 9/30/21 is due November 14, 2021. Please submit PBJ data as soon as possible to avoid delays. CMS recommends running staffing reports in CASPER prior to the submission deadline to ensure the accuracy and completeness of submissions. Please remember, the Final File Validation Report verifies that the submission was successful.

Please note: If you need assistance with the PBJ quarterly submission and the deadline falls on a weekend, you must contact the QIES/iQIES Service Center no later than the Friday before the submission deadline, as the Service Center will be unavailable to assist on the weekend. Therefore, phone and email support will be concluded as of Friday, November 12, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. (ET).More information about PBJ can be found on the following webpages:

Pioneer Network’s Virtual Symposium

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December 8, 2021: Envisioning the Future: More to do in 2022

Pioneer Network is pleased to offer the fourth in its series of four Symposia for 2021, based on the theme, Envisioning the Future, and recognizing that there is More to Do in 2022. As the previous symposia have shared, we have learned a lot, but now the key is to take the lessons we have learned and use them to help us shape the future, one that is grounded on the principles of person-centeredness. The work ahead of us will not be easy, but Pioneer Network is pleased to be able to bring together a group of leaders who not only have the vision to lead the way, but who have begun the work needed to take us into the future.

Abbott BinaxNOW Expiration Dates

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You can access the most information related to Abbott of BinaxNOW tests that have been authorized to have their expiration dates extended by accessing information directly from Abbott’s website.  Use the instructions to see the letter and listing of BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card lots which qualify for this expiry extension. Please pay close attention to the lot number, currently labeled kit expiry, and new kit expiry date. The image below helps you to locate the lot number of the Abbott BinaxNOW test kits.