Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare Flu season is here, and that means we all need to take the necessary precautions to make sure we stay healthy. CDC is here to help you do just that. NHSN offers two new features for long term care facilities to track weekly influenza vaccination data…… Continue reading Upcoming NHSN Webinars for LTC Facilities
COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: What Went Wrong and Next Steps
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On September 23, 2020, the Senate Finance Committee released a 67-page report. The purpose of the report is summed up in the Introduction and the last paragraph of the Executive Summary: This report discusses the findings of the majority staff of the United States Senate Committee…… Continue reading COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: What Went Wrong and Next Steps
Guidance Related to Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercise Requirements
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS issued QSO-20-41-ALL on September 28, 2020. Topics addressed in this QSO include: Testing Exercise DefinitionsChanges Specific to Testing Exercise RequirementsExemption Based on Actual Natural or Man-made EmergencyConducting Assessments & Documentation This QSO Memorandum is effective immediately.
RAI Manual Appendix B Updated
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS updated Appendix B of the RAI User’s Manual on September 24, 2020. In addition to the listing of the state Coordinators and other key players*, CMS provided a Changes to Appendix B, September 2020 Update document. I’ve not seen such a document before – it’s…… Continue reading RAI Manual Appendix B Updated
COVID-19: Optimizing Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare If you missed this very informative September 24, 2020 ASPR TRACIE webinar, the on-demand recording and handout (81 slides) for COVID-19: Optimizing Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies is now available. The slide deck provides the link to the recording at the top of the title…… Continue reading COVID-19: Optimizing Healthcare Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies
Nursing Home COVID-19 Data Updated
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS has updated the NH COVID-19 data for Week Ending 9/13/2020. This was the resident case and death counts for the previous data release – week of 9/6/2020:
Upcoming Holiday Celebrations and COVID-19
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On Monday, September 21, 2020, CMS provided Holiday Celebrations guidance that is pertinent to our communities at large as well as to those individuals that enter/work in LTC facilities and other congregate living communities. “As many people in the United States begin to plan for fall…… Continue reading Upcoming Holiday Celebrations and COVID-19
CMS UPDATE: Q2 2020 Optional PBJ Data Due November 14
Jenn Feige – ezPBJ CMS has announced that Q2 2020 data (January 1 – March 31) is due no later than November 14 for facilities that choose to submit. The alert was posted on the CMS PBJ portal and reads: New Q2 Deadline:CMS has established November 14, 2020 as the new deadline for the Q2…… Continue reading CMS UPDATE: Q2 2020 Optional PBJ Data Due November 14
Abbott BinaxNOW™ Resources Available
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare AHCA/NCAL has posted information regarding the availability of Abbott BinaxNOW™ Resources. The date of the post is September 23, 2020. Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities who are receiving the Abbott BinaxNOW™ test kits can refer to the following resources from Abbott: Contact Information: To report…… Continue reading Abbott BinaxNOW™ Resources Available
CMS Updates County Data for COVID-19 Testing Weekly Now
Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On Monday, September 21, 2020, AHCA/NCAL posted a blog entitled CMS to Update County Data for COVID-19 Testing Weekly and Allow Use of State or County Data in Updated Methodology (underlining added by me to emphasize CMS changes): “The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has…… Continue reading CMS Updates County Data for COVID-19 Testing Weekly Now
