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We are closely monitoring the news and guidance concerning COVID-19 and are working with the Governor’s office, the Indiana State Department of Health and AHCA/NCAL, to ensure our member providers receive the necessary guidance to care for the most vulnerable Hoosiers during this public health emergency. Visit this webpage daily to access the latest updates.
On October 28, 2020, the state’s Long-Term Care Data Dashboard was updated with the most recent resident and staff cases and death numbers. This week, the Long-Term Care Data Dashboard reported 678 new resident positive cases (for the period of 9/17/2020 – 10/23/2020) and 105 new residents deaths (for the period of 9/22/2020 – 10/27/2020). 439 new staff positive cases (for the period of 6/19/2020 – 10/27/2020) were also reported this week.
Please Note: The Regional CMS Office has authorized Indiana to proceed with the PCA/TNA Pathway Waiver as outlined below, but final review by the Central CMS Office is still pending. As such, per a LTC Newsletter, IDH recommends proceeding with caution in utilizing the pathway for PCAs/TNAs, particularly if their hours were obtained at a facility that is under a two-year CNA training prohibition at this time.
Nursing homes are shouldering a disproportionate burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. To help, Indiana’s Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network ECHO uses the evidence-based Project ECHO model to rapidly assist nursing facilities in implementing emerging best practices and protecting residents and staff.
Indiana’s NNHCAN ECHO will launch the week of November 9 with space for 120 sites. ECHO sessions will include a weekly, 60-90-minute session, for 16 weeks, with ongoing support thereafter.
On October 21, 2020, Governor Holcomb and the Indiana Department of Health (IDH) announced the Indiana National Guard would be utilized for administrative and other similar tasks at nursing facilities in Indiana, in order for nursing facility staff to be able to focus their time on providing resident care.
According to data from CMS, 297 Indiana nursing facilities have not made an election in the COVID-19 Vaccine registration system. Click here to access a spreadsheet that lists the name of facilities that have not yet registered. We urge you to do so before the deadline.
On Friday, October 16, the White House announced the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program—a national vaccine distribution program for long-term care residents. Importantly, on Tuesday, October 27, the deadline to register for the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Program was extended to Friday, November 6. We strongly encourage all long-term care facilities to review this information and register as soon as possible, if you have not done so already. This is critical to ensuring our vulnerable residents are among the first to receive a vaccine when it becomes available.
As a follow-up to the Indiana Department of Health’s (IDH) updated COVID-19 LTC Facility Infection Control Guidance Standard Operation Procedure, a summary of which can be found here, IDH has released several tools to complement the implementation of the updated Infection Control Guidance, including two screening tools, an infection prevention checklist, and a variety of posters and infographics. The use of these tools is optional, but all long-term care facilities are encouraged to review them to determine if they would be helpful to your facility’s infection prevention and control protocols.
On October 25, 2020, the IHCA/INCAL received detailed information from the Indiana Department of Health (IDH) about the shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Indiana’s long term care (LTC) facilities in an effort to support the recently updated PPE usage guidance.
Timing of Shipment
The CMP Funds section of this article was updated on October 23, 2020, to reflect the clarifications issued by CMS on the use of CMP funds to assist with conducting in-person visitation. As stated below, nursing facilities may submit a revised application for CMP funds for in-person visitation aids.
On September 17, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued QSO 20-39, a memorandum detailing guidance for visitation in nursing facilities during the public health emergency.
IHCA has learned that earlier this week, without proper notice from CMS, that it has been mandated that POC test results be reported via NHSN effective immediately. All prior communication from CDC and CMS indicated that the NHSN module was an option – it is not. This June 4th memo in laboratory testing was updated earlier this week that states POC test results shall be reported via NHSN (see page 2).
Today (Thursday, October 22), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced changes to the reporting requirements and expanded the types of providers who could apply for Provider Relief Funds.
Key Takeaways:
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) issued a process and corresponding guidance to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to local health departments and long-term care facilities.
Long-term care facilities in need of PPE should first contact the facility’s local health department. If the local health department does not have supplies to meet the request, or the local health department is unreachable, long-term care facilities should complete a ICS 213 RR form and email the form to isdhdeplogistics@isdh.in.gov. ISDH can only fill a request once a facility’s current stock reaches 72 hours or fewer.
Due to IDH’s issuance of updated Infection Control Standard Operating Procedures increased demand for isolation gowns, N95 (or approved KN95) masks, surgical masks, and gloves is likely. IHCA has the following recommendations and resources:
On October 20, 2020, the Indiana Department of Health (IDH) updated its COVID-19 LTC Infection Control Guidance Standard Operating Procedure, which can be found here. The Infection Control Guidance applies to all long-term care facilities, including nursing facilities and residential care facilities (licensed assisted living communities). Based on the updated Infection Control Guidance, IDH’s LTC Toolkit, Eye Protection Guidance, and Visitation Guidelines have been updated accordingly.
On October 20, 2020, the Indiana Department of Health (IDH) updated its Visitation Guidelines for Long-Term Care Facilities, which can be found here. The Visitation Guidelines apply to all long-term care facilities, including nursing facilities and residential care facilities (licensed assisted living communities).
The majority of the updates to the Visitation Guidelines are to the “Continued Infection Prevention” section and incorporate the guidelines from IDH’s updated Infection Control Guidance Standard Operating Procedure. For IHCA/INCAL’s full summary on IDH’s updated Infection Control Guidance, please click here.
ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
Join representatives from ISDH for this bi-weekly webinar where their team will share latest information on COVID-19 and provide important updates for long term care providers. These webinars are also a great platform for member providers to offer feedback and ask questions to the ISDH. These webinars are complimentary and are available to all long term care providers of Indiana.
When: Every other Thursday from 12- 1 p.m. EST
[UPCOMING WEBINAR] October 29, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST
October 22 , 2020: ISDH Webinar for Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING
October 8, 2020: ISDH Webinar for Long Term Care Facilities
September 24, 2020: ISDH Webinar for Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS INFECTION PREVENTION HANDOUT
September 17, 2020: ISDH Webinar for Long Term Care Facilities
September 10: ISDH Webinar for Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER HANDOUT
ACCESS ANTIGEN TESTING DIAGRAM HANDOUT
August 27, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST
August 13, 2020 from 12-1:30 p.m. EST
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
August 6, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
July 23, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST
ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT 1ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT 2
July 9, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
July 2, 2020 from 12-1 p.m. EST
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
June 25: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
June 18: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
June 11: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
June 4: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
May 28: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
May 21: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
May 14: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
May 7: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
April 30: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
April 23: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
April 16: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
April 9: ISDH Webinar For Long Term Care Facilities
ACCESS WEBINAR RECORDING ACCESS WEBINAR HANDOUT
EMResource is a web-based resource management and communication tool used to monitor and notify changes in resources statuses. IDH is asking you to update your PPE supplies daily in this tool so that resources can be distributed efficiently.
Coordinate account registration with your facility administrator. We recommend designating at least two individuals that can track and input data into EMResource.
Project ECHO is actively recruiting nursing homes around the country to join an interactive community of practice to advance improvements in COVID-19 preparedness, safety and infection control. Supported by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the AHRQ ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network is open to any nursing home across the country at no cost. Explore Project ECHO’ website and resources here and download an informational flyer here.
[October 29, 2020] COVID-19: Realistic and Quality Approach to Cohorting, Cleaning and Disinfection
IHCA/INCAL Contact: Zach Cattell| zcatell@ihca.org
October 27: IDH Issues Certified Nurse Aide Training Program Orders
October 19: Indiana Health Care Reserve Workforce
September 30: Extension of Temporary Health Care Licenses
September 14: Update to Paid Leave Requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
August 20: Influenza Vaccinations as a Condition of Employment
August 12: OSHA Increases Scrutiny on Long-Term Care Facilities
July 1: Nursing Licensure Compact – Effective July 1, 2020
March 29: Hiring and On-Boarding Workforce Resources
March 29: Department of Labor Guidance on New Leave Benefits
EMResource is a web-based resource management and communication tool used to monitor and notify changes in resources statuses. IDH is asking you to update your PPE supplies daily in this tool so that resources can be distributed efficiently.
Coordinate account registration with your facility administrator. We recommend designating at least two individuals that can track and input data into EMResource.
Due to the CDC restriction on all group activities, Enrichment On Demand is offering as a community service 8 hours of continuous digital engagement available daily on YouTube. Learn more. Enrichment on Demand is offering senior communities interested in experiencing CONNECTIONS, a two week free trial subscription. If interested, please contact Paula Stokes McDowell at paula@enrichmentondemand.com or (480) 223-8114
October 19: Indiana Health Care Reserve Workforce
October 16: New Pathway to Report POC Test Results through Electronic Lab Reporting Process
October 5: Federal Public Health Emergency Extended until January 22, 2021
October 2: POC Antigen Test and PCR Test Decision Tree
October 2: Important: ISDH Notice on COVID-19 Case Uptick
October 2: CMS Issues Guidance on Exemption from Conducting Full-Scale Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercises
October 1: [UPDATED] CMS Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Testing of NF Staff & Residents
September 30: Extension of Temporary Health Care Licenses
September 25: 4.2% Medicaid Nursing Facility Rate Increase Extended
September 25: ISDH Provides Antigen Testing Guidance
September 24: Indiana’s Public Health Emergency Extended until November 1, 2020
September 23: HHS Releases Provider Relief Fund Reporting Guidance
September 23: CMS Updates County COVID-19 Positivity Data | Sept. 3-16, 2020
September 22: Reporting False Positives in COVID-19 Testing
September 18: CMS Issues Visitation Guidance for Nursing Facilities
September 18: New Details on Incentive Payments for Nursing Facilities
September 17: ISDH Renews Blanket Waivers for Comprehensive and Residential Care Facilities
September 16: BinaxNOW COVID-19 Cards – REDCaps Reporting Required
September 15: Assisted Living Funding Allocation Deadline Extended to Sept. 21
September 14: Update to Paid Leave Requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
September 9: HHS Announces $2 Billion Quality Incentive Program for Nursing Homes
September 8: Point of Care COVID-19 Test Reporting Guidance
September 8: UPL Q4 Interim Payment and COVID-19 add-ons
September 8: Nursing Facility COVID-19 Rate Enhancements
September 8: New COVID-19 Positive $115 Add-on Billing Instructions
September 4: POC test results tracking form and update on ISDH’s reporting mechanism for lab results
September 2: Provider Relief Fund Allocation for Private Pay Assisted Living
September 2: Antigen Tests for Assisted Living Communities
September 2: Updates to NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway
August 27: Return to Work Decision Tree
August 27: Important: County Positivity Data for NF Staff Testing Now Available
August 27: Requirements of Reporting by CLIA Laboratories
August 25: Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff & Management
August 17: Important Updates from ISDH on COVID-19 Testing for Nursing Facility Staff
August 12: New NHSN Data Elements on Testing
August 12: Changes to Medicaid Tranche Eligibility – Applications Due August 28, 2020
August 12: OSHA Increases Scrutiny on Long-Term Care Facilities
August 10: HHS Opens CHOW Portal
August 7: AHCA Update on HHS CARES Distribution to Nursing Facilities
August 7: Updated – COVID-19 Testing of Nursing Facility Staff Required in August/September
July 31: Deadline Extended: Medicaid Applications for Provider Relief Fund Due August 28, 2020
July 31: CMS Issues FY 2021 SNF Final Payment Rule
July 30: Point-of-Care COVID-19 Antigen Test Kits
July 24: State and Federal Government Extend Waivers for Long-Term Care Facilities
July 24: Updated ISDH COVID-19 LTC Facility Infection Control Guidance and SOP
July 23: CMP COVID-19 Communicative Technology Application Approvals
July 23: ISDH Issues Clarifications on Resident Excursions
July 23: Initial Long-Term Care Data Released
July 17: Four Hours of Visitation Required Starting July 17, 2020
July 11: Update: Long-Term Care COVID-19 Data Reporting and EHR Survey
July 2: Urgent: Long-Term Care Data Required by July 14, 2020, 6PM EDT
July 1: NHSN Reporting Problems, Tags, and Penalties
July 1: Nursing Licensure Compact – Effective July 1, 2020
Sustainable COVID-19 Planning for Long-term Care Facilities
June 26: Updated CARES Act Funding for Waiver Assisted Living Providers
June 26: CMS Ends Blanket Waiver on Staffing Data – Q2 Staffing Data Due August 14, 2020
June 19: ISDH Guidance on Environmental Steps to Reduce Indoor COVID-19 Transmission
June 18: Announcement Regarding Upcoming Medicaid Cost Report
June 18: Nursing Facility Staff Testing Portal to View Results and Report Tests
June 18: HHS Offers Medicaid Allocation Application Tutorials
June 15: ISDH FAQs – Outdoor Family Visitation at LTCFs
June 15: Updated COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Submission Guidelines
June 11: NHSN Reporting Compliance Tips – Avoid CMPs and Nursing Home Compare Points
June 11: OIG Audit of Nursing Facilities for Infection Control and Emergency Preparedness
June 8: Indiana Medicaid Clarifies How to “De-Attest” COVID-Ready Status
June 8: Nursing Facility Staff COVID-19 Testing Registration
June 2: COVID-19 Survey Activities and Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies
June 2: June 3 Attestation Deadline Applies Only to Medicare FFS Provider Relief Payment
June 1: Contact Tracing Calls
May 29: IHCA/INCAL Guidelines for Resident Voting at a Public Polling Site During COVID-19 Pandemic
May 29: IHCA/INCAl’s Letter to ISDH on Nursing Facility Staff Testing Effort
May 26: NHSN Reporting Update and FAQs
May 26: Revised OSHA COVID-19 Policies
May 26: CARES Attestation Window Extended
May 19: CMS Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations and AHCA Memorandum on COVID-19 Testing in LTCFs
May 18: Updated COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Submission Guidelines
May 18: Updated ISDH Strategies for Memory Care Units
May 18: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission COVID-19 Testing Guidance
May 18: ISDH Asks Nursing Homes for Feedback on Testing of Staff
May 13: APIC Indiana Long-Term Care COVID-19 Networking and Open Forum Sessions
May 11: Additional COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Waivers for Nursing Facilities
May 11: Hospital to Post-Acute Care Transfer COVID-19 Assessment Form
May 11: NHSN: Accurately Report Staffing & PPE Shortages
May 10: COVID-19 Testing Strategies
May 10: Required IOSHA COVID-19 Safety Plans
May 8: Fire Safety Considerations for Hand Sanitizers
May 6: COVID-19 Waivers, Guidance, and Emergency Orders for Residential Care Facilities from ISDH
May 6: COVID-19 Emergency Orders and Waivers for Comprehensive Care Facilities from ISDH
May 3: CMS Issues Additional Blanket Regulatory Waivers
May 3: Effective Date of CMS Interim Final Rule on COVID-19 Reporting for Nursing Homes
May 3: CMS Issues Additional Blanket Regulatory Waivers
April 29: CDC Webinar Trainings for LTCF COVID-19 Module: New Mandatory Reporting
April 29: Indiana COVID-19 Testing Sites
April 27: AHCA/NCAL Grant & Loan Management Resource Guide
April 27: COVID-19 Related Loss and Cost Calculator
April 27: Updated – Accelerated and Advance Payments FAQs
April 25: Five Star Updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, and FAQs
April 25: CMS Updates COVID-19 FAQs on Medicare FFS Billing
April 24: CMS Releases CMP Reinvestment Application for Communication Technologies
April 20: Reminder: New RedCap Survey for COVID-19 Reporting – Effective Monday, April 20, 2020
April 20: Stay-at-Home Order Extended until May 1, 2020
April 18: ISDH Issues Additional CNA Flexibilities
April 17: Updated CDC Guidance for Return to Work Criteria and Source Control
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