Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On Saturday, June 13, 2020, CDC “released consolidated recommendations for COVID-19 testing, including interim testing guidelines for nursing home residents and healthcare personnel, as well as testing strategy options for high-density critical infrastructure workplaces after a COVID-19 case is identified. These recommendations compile and update previous…… Continue reading CDC Releases Consolidated COVID-19 Testing Recommendations

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare In a May 20, 2020 letter to Congress, specifically to Senator Ron Wyden, the ranking member of the Finance Committee, the Government Accountability Office responded to a request “to examine CMS’s oversight of infection prevention and control protocols and the adequacy of emergency preparedness standards for…… Continue reading GAO Report: Infection Control Deficiencies Were Widespread and Persistent in NHs Prior to COVID-19 Pandemic

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare In case you missed it, CMS issued this Press Release on Thursday, June 11, 2020 (bolding and italics added by me): “The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is aware of allegations that some nursing homes are seizing residents economic impact payments (or “Stimulus Checks”)…… Continue reading Residents’ Right to Retain Federal Economic Incentive Payments

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare If you missed the June 11, 2020 third session of the National Nursing Home Training series, the recording and presentation slides are now available. This session is 58 minutes and 15 seconds in length and provided great information on cohorting residents and staff – both…… Continue reading Cohorting: Effective Management of Residents and Staff

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CDC updated the following COVID-19 guidance during the 1st two (2) weeks of June: Using Telehealth to Expand Access to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 PandemicHow to Wear Cloth Face CoveringsUpdated Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and AnswersNHSN LTCF Guide to Using the COVID-19 Module…… Continue reading FDA, CMS, CDC and OIG COVID-19 Updates for 1st 2 Weeks of June 2020

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Topic: Clinical Care: Managing COVID Positive Residents Date: Thursday, June 18, 2020 Time: 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET Advance Registration Required: Register here. Note: Once you register, you will receive an email with your individual  link to join the webcast. The link you receive will only work…… Continue reading Next National NH Training Session: Clinical Care – Managing COVID Positive Residents

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare I hope you didn’t get your hopes up yesterday by WHO’s statement that transmission of the COVID-19 virus by asymptomatic individuals worldwide is rare.  This statement was made by the head of the WHO’s emerging diseases and zoonosis unit.  I was shocked to see that -…… Continue reading What a Difference a Day Makes … WHO Walks Back Yesterday’s Statement

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The third session of the National Nursing Home Training series is being held this Thursday, June 11, 2020 from 4:00 – 5:00 PM ET.  Register here.  Advance Registration Required. (Note: Once you register, you will receive an email with your individual link to join the webcast.…… Continue reading Cohorting: Effective Management of Residents and Staff

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS yesterday (June 9, 2020) release a guide “for patients and beneficiaries as they consider their in-person care options. During the height of the pandemic, many healthcare systems and patients postponed non-emergency, in-person care in order to keep patients and providers safe and to ensure capacity…… Continue reading Administration Encourages Reopening of Healthcare Facilities

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) is pleased to announce this training opportunity: The current COVID-19 public health emergency presents new and unique challenges for individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) as well as the family and friends providing care for them. Providers…… Continue reading Navigating COVID-19: Supporting Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers