Contrary to early predictions, a recent study confirmed that CMS Star Rating is not an accurate predictor of whether a center will experience a COVID-19 outbreak. The recent study conducted at Harvard University identified that even though there was no evidence that star rating had a significant effect on facility outbreaks, a concerning finding was that facilities that employ staff …
I know what you are thinking, seriously, another blog on facemasks? Yep! Honestly, we can’t say enough about the importance of facemasks! Adding to the debate, we are now finding that the facemasks we are using may not be effective! A recent publication in Medscape Nurses identifies that all facemasks are NOT equal, varying greatly in efficacy and comfort. The …
Battelle Memorial Institute received a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regards to its Critical Care Decontamination System. Battelle rose to the spotlight a few months ago when their Critical Care Decontamination System, which decontaminates N95 masks, received emergency approval for use by the FDA. Due to decontaminating PPE being fairly controversial in healthcare (PPE such …
Thank you to those working to serve seniors and individuals with disabilites. AHCA/NCAL recently released a beautiful tribute to those who have been on the frontlines of long term care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The tribute is spoken by celebrities, athletes, musical artists, and actors from all over the country, and offers sincere gratitude to those keeping our most vulnerable …
Healthcare personnel who care for patients with COVID-19 are at risk for exposure and infection during patient-care related activities and once infected, can spread SARS-CoV-2 to other patients, coworkers and others in the community. In a recent study published on the CDC.gov website, 3,248 health care personnel were observed, 6% had antibody evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, 29% with SARS-CoV-2 …
Mitigations for Ransomware Attacks on the HPH Sector The Healthcare and Public Health Sector are seeing an increase of ransomware attacks across the sector. Please take all necessary precautions to mitigate the risk of being impacted. Ransomware attacks involve using a type of malware that encrypts the victim’s data, making the system inaccessible until a ransom is paid. Oftentimes, the …
The nursing home complaint process is a critical safeguard to protect vulnerable residents of nursing homes. CMS relies on the States’ respective survey agencies to serve as the front-line responders to address health and safety concerns raised by residents, their families and nursing home staff. State survey agencies must conduct onsite investigations within certain timeframes for the two most serious …
Although HealthCap does not endorse any product or service, this information may be helpful to you so we wanted to share it. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, N95 respirator masks are in short supply and many providers purchase this critical PPE item from non-traditional international suppliers without insight to product quality. However, using imported N95-style masks without NIOSH certification or …
By AAAASF September 28, 2020 On September 25, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a memo describing instances where Medicare-participating ASCs may use Corrugated Medical Tubing (CMT). Currently, the CMS regulations require compliance with the 2012 NFPA 99 which requires medical gas and vacuum system distribution piping to be rigid copper tubing and does not include provisions …
On September 17, 2020, CMS released a memorandum addressing visitation guidance and the use of Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds. The visitation guidance emphasizes core principles regarding hygeine and screening of visitors consistent with the CDC, and outlines recommendations for both indoor and outdoor visitation. It also touches on compassionate care visits, access to the long -term care ombudsman, federal …
