Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare 2 NHSN Webinars – Same Topic – Different Dates Topic: Reporting Results of Point of Care Testing for COVID-19: A New NHSN PathwayDate: Thursday, Nov 12, 2020Time: 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST Please select which date you’d like to attend and register in advance for this webinar: https://cdc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_av-J138jRzedbNaSjZU-PQexternal…… Continue reading Upcoming COVID-19 Webinars and Others You May Be Interested In

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On November 4, 2020, CMS issued a 13-page document with this title and opening paragraph: “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Trump Administration has issued an unprecedented array of temporary regulatory waivers and new rules to equip the American healthcare system with…… Continue reading Skilled Nursing Facilities and/or Nursing Facilities: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has provided a website housing COVID-19 Vaccine Policies & Guidance.   On October 30, 2020, OSHA issued respiratory protection guidance focused on protecting workers in nursing homes, assisted living and other long-term care facilities from occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus.   Source…… Continue reading Updated COVID-19 Information & Guidance: CMS, CDC, OSHA

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has just updated the COVID-19 Nursing Home Data for week ending October 25, 2020.

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The latest version – 13 is now available.  This version is 199-pages in length.

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The most recent county COVID-19 positivity rates have been posted – November 2, 2020.    Archived rates are always available for reference. Remember that staff testing is based on the most recent county COVID-19 positivity rates. For more information, reference QSO-20-38-NH.

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare This guidance (7-pages) is designed specifically for nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities (LTCFs) (e.g., skilled nursing facilities, inpatient hospice, convalescent homes, and group homes with nursing care). LTCFs are different than other healthcare settings because they assist residents and clients with tasks…… Continue reading OSHA Respiratory Guidance for NH/AL/Other LTC Employers During PHE

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare NHSN is offering another webinar on reporting results of COVID-19 POC testing.  There are 2 sessions available – you need only register for one. Title: Reporting Results of Point of Care Testing for COVID-19: A New NHSN Pathway ConfirmationDate: Thursday, Nov 5, 2020Time: 12:30 – 1:30 PM ET…… Continue reading Reporting Results of POC Testing for COVID-19 (Training Webinar)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a new online platform – the Nursing Home Resource Center – to serve as a centralized hub bringing together the latest information, guidance and data on nursing homes that is important to facilities, frontline providers, residents and…… Continue reading CMS COVID-19 Nursing Home Resource Center (NEW)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare This is the title of NIH’s (National Institutes of Health) Director Dr. Francis Collins’ November 3, 2020 post.  It is well worth the read and sharing with colleagues, family and friends.  Here’s an excerpt from that post: “The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has already claimed…… Continue reading Face Coverings Could Save 130,000 American Lives from COVID-19 by March 2021