Recent CDC COVID-19 Information Updated

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CDC updated Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 on December 23, 2021. “Due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, this guidance is being updated to enhance protection for healthcare personnel (HCP), patients, and visitors, and to…… Continue reading Recent CDC COVID-19 Information Updated

Latest COVID-19 Nursing Home Data Posted

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted the latest COVID-19 Nursing Home data for the week ending December 12, 2021. This latest data set shows these changes from the November 28th data set (2 weeks ago): Resident vaccination rate increased 0.4%Staff vaccination increased 2.4%Resident confirmed cases increased 9,573Staff confirmed cases…… Continue reading Latest COVID-19 Nursing Home Data Posted

Nursing Home Visitation – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS is providing clarification to recent guidance for visitation (see CMS memorandum QSO-20-39-NH REVISED 11/12/2021). While CMS cannot address every aspect of visitation that may occur, we provide additional details about certain scenarios below. However, the bottom line is visitation must be permitted at all times…… Continue reading Nursing Home Visitation – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Court Revives Health Worker COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate in 26 U.S. States

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare About an hour ago, Reuters reported this (bolding, underlining and italics added by me): “A federal appeals court on Wednesday revived in 26 U.S. states a COVID-19 mandate issued by President Joe Biden’s administration requiring millions of healthcare workers to get vaccinated if they work in…… Continue reading Court Revives Health Worker COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate in 26 U.S. States

Mental Health and Resiliency Tools for Health Care Workers: COVID-19

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Yesterday I blogged on managing fatigue during the pandemic.  Today I providing two (2) resources that speak to mental health: Mental Health and Resiliency Tools for Health Care Workers: COVID-19 from the Minnesota Department of Health and Tips for Healthcare Professionals: Coping with Stress and Compassion…… Continue reading Mental Health and Resiliency Tools for Health Care Workers: COVID-19

HHS Releasing $9 Billion in Provider Relief Fund Payments to Support Health Care Providers Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On December 14, 2021, HHS and HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration) announced “the distribution of approximately $9 billion in Provider Relief Fund (PRF) Phase 4 payments to health care providers who have experienced revenue losses and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The average payment…… Continue reading HHS Releasing $9 Billion in Provider Relief Fund Payments to Support Health Care Providers Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic

Recent CDC COVID-19 Guidance Updates/Information

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Updated waste management was provided by CDC on December 13, 2021 on the Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care and Rapid Testing website. The Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know website was updated December 13, 2021. COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Underlying Medical Conditions was updated December…… Continue reading Recent CDC COVID-19 Guidance Updates/Information

Managing Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, Other Healthcare Workers

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare “At times of crisis, healthcare workers (e.g., nurses, advanced practice nurses, physicians, nursing assistants, etc.) continue to provide care, despite ever challenging work demands, including higher influx of critically ill patients, increased work stress, and a frequent need for overtime. These work demands can compound already…… Continue reading Managing Fatigue During Times of Crisis: Guidance for Nurses, Managers, Other Healthcare Workers

CMS Releases 21 New Nursing Home Datasets

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS released 21 Nursing Home Datasets on December 8th and 9th, 2021. FY 2022 SNF VBP Facility-Level Dataset This dataset contains facility-specific performance information for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Skilled Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing (SNF VBP) Program. Included are baseline period (FY 2018) and performance…… Continue reading CMS Releases 21 New Nursing Home Datasets