Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes – Version 19 was updated February 25, 2021.  “This document is a compilation of actions employed by organizations, including state governments, in the United States and outlying territories to assist nursing homes in meeting…… Continue reading Another Update for the Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Topic: Office Hours: Importing CSV Data Files for Surveillance Pathway Data & Data for the COVID-19 Point of Care Test Reporting Tool Date: Thursday, March 4, 2021Time: 1:00 – 2:30 PM Eastern Time Register here. Session is open to individual facilities, vendors, and groups who are currently importing LTCF…… Continue reading NHSN Webinar: Importing CSV Data Files for Surveillance Pathway Data & Data for COVID-19 Point of Care Test Reporting Tool

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare AMDA (The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine) has released their final Interim Recommendations for Communal Activities and Visitation in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Facilities.  These recommendations carry a date of February 25, 2021.  To be clear – this is NOT guidance from CMS but…… Continue reading AMDA: Interim Recommendations for Communal Activities and Visitation in PAC and LTCFs

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The last weekend of February 2020 saw a much welcome approval of a 3rd vaccine to protect Americans from the serious outcomes due to COVID-19. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky issued a media statement on Sunday, February 28, 2021 announcing the signing of the ACIP (Advisory Committee…… Continue reading Third COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Emergency Use + Webinar

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted the weekly county positivity rates on March 1, 2021. As always, a reminder that regulations for testing based on county positivity rates are found here; archived data is found here.    

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted COVID-19 nursing home data for week ending February 14, 2021. CDC has posted COVID-19 data, including vaccinationsas of 5pm (ET) February 25, 2021: LTC Data: We’re making progress.  Keep up the good work.  Get the vaccine as soon as it’s available to you. …… Continue reading CMS and CDC COVID-19 Data Updates

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The GAO (Government Accountability Office) released Testimony Before the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives.  This document contains the statement of A. Nicole Clowers, Managing Director, Health Care Team – beginning on page 3 of this 17-page document.  Additional materials about this testimony/GAO report can…… Continue reading Key Insights from GAO’s Oversight of the Federal Public Health Response

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare What to Expect After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine was updated February 23, 2021.  This website provides a lot of information, particularly for the consumer, including: Common side effectsHelpful tipsReducing pain and discomfort at the site of the injectionReducing discomfort from feverWhen to call the doctorScheduling your…… Continue reading CDC COVID-19 Updates – Week of February 22, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted the most recent county COVID-19 positivity data –  February 22, 2021.  My usual reminders to additional links: Archived data CMS regulations/guidelines on LTC testing based on county positivity

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Topic: LTCF COVID-19 Module: Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Surveillance Reporting Pathway – Updates The NHSN team will review significant updates made to the LTCF NHSN COVID-19 Module, Resident Impact & Facility Capacity Pathway. These changes went into effect on November 23, 2020. Download Slideset Date: Thursday, Feb…… Continue reading NHSN Reporting Webinar – Last Week of February 2021