Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS issued an updated document yesterday – May 11, 2020.  This 40-page document includes some new blanket waivers: Expanded Ability for Hospitals to Offer Long-term Care Services (“Swing-Beds”) for Patients Who do not Require Acute Care but do Meet the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Level…… Continue reading Updated COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Health Care Providers

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Get the latest COVID-19 strategies from two renowned geriatricians! SimpleLTC’s April 2020 webinar COVID-19: Strategy and perspective from the front lines with Dr. Buslovich and Dr. Wasserman was one of their highest-attended webinars ever.  (If you missed the live webinar or want to hear it…… Continue reading Upcoming Webinar: COVID-19: The latest updates from the front lines

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Whether or not you read yesterday’s blog, you’ll want to download our updated COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes.  CMS updated the April version of this Focused Survey document yesterday and so did we!  It’s complimentary – FREE – for your use and you’ll find…… Continue reading Free Resource Updated: COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CDC has launched a new mini webinar training series for frontline long-term care and nursing home staff. This series of 5 short webinars reviews basic infection prevention steps including: proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and facemasks, how and when to perform hand hygiene,…… Continue reading CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages: Mini Webinar Series for LTC Staff

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The most recent Express from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE) highlights recently developed resources, including: Mini Modules to Relieve Stress for Healthcare Workers (Manage stress before, during, or after your shift)…… Continue reading Health Care Supply Chain, Provider Self-Care and Emergency Preparedness Resources ASPR TRACIE

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Just a few minutes ago, CMS posted QSO-20-29-NH.  The 21-page memorandum provides additional information regarding regulations found in the second Interim Rule which will be published and in effect on Friday, May 8, 2020.  Here’s the summary of this notification: The first 5 pages are…… Continue reading BREAKING NEWS: CMS Just Posted QSO-20-29-NH: Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of COVID-19 Cases

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Under the direction of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, FEMA will coordinate two shipments totaling a 14-day supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to more than 15,000 nursing homes across the Nation. The mission will supplement existing efforts to ensure nursing homes across the…… Continue reading PPE Packages for Nursing Homes (FEMA)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare I hope everyone is well and staying safe!  Today, I’m providing another digest of what’s new or changed with COVID-19 information and guidance over the past few days. CDC – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for COVID-19 This webpage…… Continue reading COVID-19 Updated Guidance and Information

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare I know it’s a hectic time for you and your colleagues these days!  In case you missed it, all Medicare certified SNF/LTC facilities are required to start submitting COVID-19 data to CMS via the NHSN portal beginning this Friday, May 8th.  This blog will help…… Continue reading NHSN LTCF Office Hours Scheduled for This Week and Next

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare If you’ve been following recent Interim Final Rule blogs, you know that beginning Friday, May 8, 2020 all Medicare-certified LTC facilities (SNFs and NFs) must begin reporting COVID-19 data through the NHSN (National Healthcare Safety Network – CDC) at least weekly.  The LTCF COVID-19 Module…… Continue reading COVID-19 Reporting Requires NHSN Enrollment Now