National Skilled Nursing Week

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare ​​​​​​​​​​​Established in 1967 by AHCA, National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW) celebrates the essential role that skilled nursing care centers play in providing high quality 24-hour nursing care to millions of America’s seniors and individuals with disabilities.  ​ This year’s NSNCW theme—Cultivating Kindness—is inspired by the many…… Continue reading National Skilled Nursing Week

Latest CDC, CMS and NHSN Nursing Home COVID-19 Data

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted the latest nursing home data for the week ending April 30, 2023. Comparing the April 30, 2023 data to the April 23, 2023 data shows these changes: Resident primary vaccination completion rate decreased 0.1% again this past week; Residents up to date with vaccines…… Continue reading Latest CDC, CMS and NHSN Nursing Home COVID-19 Data

Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID–19

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare May 11, 2023 – About 1 hour ago, HHS filed the Eleventh Amendment to Declaration Under the Public Readiness and Emergency.  It is scheduled for publication in tomorrow’s Federal Register. The Amendment is effective today. The Secretary issues this amendment pursuant to section 319F–3 of the…… Continue reading Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act for Medical Countermeasures Against COVID–19

Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Expires Today Information for Nebraska Providers

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The Federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19 declared under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS) is set to expire by the end of today, May 11. Nebraska ended its COVID-19 PHE on June 30, 2021. In anticipation of the expiration of the…… Continue reading Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Expires Today Information for Nebraska Providers

Home Care and Hospice: Ending of the COVID-19 PHE Waivers & Flexibilities

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) which began in early 2020 will come to an end on May 11, 2023. Throughout the PHE various waivers, regulations, enforcement discretion, and sub-regulatory guidance were utilized to ensure access to care and give health care providers the flexibilities needed…… Continue reading Home Care and Hospice: Ending of the COVID-19 PHE Waivers & Flexibilities

Two (2) QSO Memorandums Posted Regarding End of PHE for NHs 

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted QSO-20-38-NH on announce the termination of this QSO on May 11, 2023. Effective 05/11/2023, this memo is no longer in effect. Testing for COVID-19 should be conducted by following accepted national standards, such as CDC recommendations. Noncompliance related to COVID-19 testing will be cited…… Continue reading Two (2) QSO Memorandums Posted Regarding End of PHE for NHs 

SNF PPS PDPM Claims Processing Updates to Current Editing

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare CMS posted Transmittal 12023 on May 8, 2023: This Change Request (CR) implements changes to enhance current claims processing edits. This CR is applicable to the Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) and the Common Working File (CWF). SNFs billing on Type of Bill (TOB) 21X and…… Continue reading SNF PPS PDPM Claims Processing Updates to Current Editing

Updated Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare On May 8, 2023, the CDC provided updated IPC recommendations for HCP. This guidance applies to all U.S. settings where healthcare is delivered, including nursing homes and home health. With the end of the public health emergency on May 11, 2023, CDC will no longer receive…… Continue reading Updated Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the COVID-19 Pandemic (CDC)

New Updates to the NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Surveillance Pathways

Mary Madison, RN, RAC-CT, CDPClinical Consultant – Briggs Healthcare There will be a number of revisions to the LTCF COVID-19 Module Surveillance Pathways (Resident Impact and Facility Capacity, Staff and Personnel Impact, and Therapeutics) with the upcoming NHSN release planned for June 2023.Please plan to attend a training session to learn about how data entry…… Continue reading New Updates to the NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Surveillance Pathways