The intention of the influenza vaccine is to reduce the overall burden of respiratory illness to protect vulnerable populations at risk for severe illness. This document can help clear up some facts and rumors about the vaccines and can be found in the Resource & Education Center under Infection Control! Click here to download the document.
Please review the newest rule issued from CMS to understand what it means for your facility. This affects requirements for COVID-19 testing in regards to residents, staff, volunteers, and individuals providing services under arrangement. Read the summary from CMS below and click here to access the full memorandum. CMS is committed to taking critical steps to ensure America’s healthcare facilities …
Beginning August 28, 2020, the Defense Logistics Agency will direct shipment of N95 respirators to select nursing homes that recently reported having enough supplies for only zero to three days of operations. These respirators are meant to supplement existing supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) and will provide a seven-day supply for each nursing home to support an entire shift …
In a recent video/transcript published in Medscape on August 16, 2020, Dr. Mark Lewis, MD discussed the many myths surrounding the use of facemasks. The link to the video is below and here are a few of the “tidbits” Dr. Lewis shared: Misinformation and Talking Points Efficacy. It is true that masks are not 100% effective however there is little …
Many COVID-19 cases are geographically localized and can overwhelm local healthcare facilities. Healthcare systems typically have uneven distribution of COVID-19 cases with some regional healthcare systems experiencing patient surges while others have excess capacity for patient care. When healthcare facilities reach or exceed patient capacity “Crisis Standards of Care” are often implemented. Healthcare systems entering Crisis Standards of Care are …
CMS Press Release August 26, 2020 CMS.gov On August 26, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidance for nursing homes and clinical laboratories to assist in enhancing their abilities to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to nursing home residents and their front line staff. Nursing homes are particularly vulnerable to the prevalence …
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting health care facility risk managers, procurement staff and health care providers that gowns sold as medical gowns including surgical gowns, sold by Laws of Motion PPE (LawsofMotionPPE.com) have potential quality issues that affect the level of fluid barrier protection. The FDA is recommending that gowns manufactured or sold by Laws of …
Sadly, we are beginning to see summer coming to an end, evenings are getting cooler, it is still dark when we get up in the morning and yes, the dreaded flu season is just around the corner! Considering we are still in the midst of a global pandemic it hardly seems fair that we are going to be challenged yet …
FINALLY HHS has announced funding for private pay assisted living facilities! As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, private pay communities can apply for Provider Relief Fund dollars by going to the appropriate PRF portal and completing the required application. This process is part of the Phase 2 distribution, and assisted living payments will be …
The CDC will be hosting a call to discuss “Testing and Treatment of 2020-2021 Seasonal Influenza During the COVID-19 Pandemic” on Thursday September 17, 2020 from 2:00-3:00 pm ET. Per the World Health Organization’s FluNet platform from three Southern Hemisphere countries (Australia, Chile, and South Africa), low influenza activity was reported during June through August 2020, months that comprise the …
