CMS Updates Appendix B of RAI User’s Manual

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Looking for contact information for your state’s RAI or MDS Automation Coordinator?  RAI Panel members or Regional Office staff?  Here’s the latest Appendix B – hot off the press as of today, January 28, 2021.  The corresponding Changes to Appendix B are always appreciated.  Thank you,…… Continue reading CMS Updates Appendix B of RAI User’s Manual

CMS Posts County COVID-19 Positivity Rates – January 25, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has posted the most recent county COVID-19 positivity rates.  This posting carries the date of January 25, 2021. As I always do in this blog, more information about the requirement to test nursing home staff based on county positivity rates is found within QSO-20-38-NH.  Past…… Continue reading CMS Posts County COVID-19 Positivity Rates – January 25, 2021

COVID-19 Training Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare If you’re looking for COVID-19 training resources, here’s a place to start.  Training for Healthcare Professionals is a website that identifies many training options. CDC updates this resource periodically – most recently on January 25, 2021. Here’s the current training opportunities found on this website: Search…… Continue reading COVID-19 Training Resources for Healthcare Professionals

Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The CDC updated its Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States website on January 21, 2021. Administration “The mRNA COVID-19 vaccine series consist of two doses administered intramuscularly: Pfizer-BioNTech (30 µg, 0.3 ml each): 3 weeks (21 days)…… Continue reading Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Authorized in the United States (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna)

HHS Extends Public Health Emergency (PHE) Through End of 2021, At Minimum

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Late Friday evening (January 22, 2020), the Acting U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Norris Cochran sent a letter to state Governors indicating that in addition to extending the current public health emergency (PHE) for an additional 90-days, effective January 21st, HHS has…… Continue reading HHS Extends Public Health Emergency (PHE) Through End of 2021, At Minimum

Nursing Home Staffing Data – Quarter 3, 2020

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDP Clinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare AS RESIDENT POPULATION SHRINKS, NURSING HOMES REMAIN UNDERSTAFFED is the “subtitle” of the alert email I received on Friday, January 22, 2021 from the Long Term Care Community Coalition. January 22, 2021 – Staffing levels are a key predictor of nursing home resident outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.…… Continue reading Nursing Home Staffing Data – Quarter 3, 2020

Upcoming Webinar: COVID-19 Vaccine: Reasons Not to be Afraid

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Telligen QI Connect is hosting a webinar that you/your team would benefit from: Dr. Anuj Mehta, Assistant Professor of Medicine with Denver Health and Hospital Authority, will discuss why some healthcare providers and patients are vaccine hesitant and provide answers to the following questions: – How…… Continue reading Upcoming Webinar: COVID-19 Vaccine: Reasons Not to be Afraid

Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum … Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The next Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, January 26, 2021 PM at 2:00-3:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).  Please call at least 15 minutes prior to the forum start time. **This Agenda is Subject to Change** Opening Remarks Chair –…… Continue reading Home Health, Hospice & DME Open Door Forum … Tuesday, January 26, 2021