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Archive January 2022

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CMS requires vaccination for on-site surveyors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued memo QSO-22-10-ALL to all State Survey Agencies, requiring onsite surveyors - including CLIA and Life Safety surveyors - to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have an acceptable medical or religious exemption. 

For surveyors with an accepted exemption, they must take extra precautions while onsite during survey “as determined and documented by the state (such as mandatory testing, limitation to conducting survey activities that limit patient/resident contact such as record review, limitation to conducting offsite activities, or re-assignment or work modification).” All surveyors are expected to use appropriate PPE while surveying. 

State Survey Agencies are responsible for compliance with this expectation. Therefore, certified providers and suppliers are still not permitted to ask surveyors for proof of their vaccination status as a precondition for entry.

However, you may ask surveyors their vaccination status should a resident request to only have vaccinated visitors. In this unique case, the surveyor should be informed the resident does not want unvaccinated visitors so the unvaccinated surveyor can interview a different resident. If the surveyor declines to answer, facilities should then assume they are unvaccinated for purposes of interacting with residents requesting such limitation. However, the surveyor must still be allowed to enter the facility.

Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org

USM research students seeking input by February 13th for a project targeting the needs of aging LGBTQ+

Students from the University of Southern Maine School of Social Work are conducting a survey on LGBTQ+ elders who are accessing nursing care facilities in New England. They are hoping to gather information from those working in the field. 
 
Your participation in this survey is completely voluntary. It is estimated that the survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. Data collection will end on February 13, 2022. 
 
 
Staff contact: dchicoine@mehca.org

Maine CDC Changes Outbreak Definitions

As of January 2, 2022, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) is using updated definitions for COVID-19 outbreaks and COVID-19-associated deaths. COVID-19 outbreak criteria will now depend on facility type. In pre-K-12 schools, an outbreak of COVID-19 will now be defined as greater than or equal to 15% absenteeism among students or staff in a single day, where the majority of those absent are due to COVID-19 illness. For all other facility types, including but not limited to long-term care, hospital, outpatient healthcare, higher education, and businesses, an outbreak of COVID-19 is now defined as 5 or more people who have been in-person at a facility with confirmed or probable COVID-19 within a 14-day period.
 
A more specific FAQ was released last week to assist Group A and B Congregate Care Facility with this change in outbreak definition. MHCA strongly encourages members to closely read the FAQ. Below are some of the highlights:
 
Maine CDC now defines a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak as “5 or more people who have been in[1]person at a facility with confirmed or probable COVID-19 within a 14-day period.”
  • Confirmed: At least 5 total positive cases (resident + staff) in 14 days, with at least one PCR positive in mix, PER UNIT/DEPARTMENT.
  • Probable: At least 5 total positive cases (resident + staff) in 14 days, all cases are results based on antigen testing, no PCR results available, PER UNIT/DEPARTMENT.
  • Regardless of outbreak status, at the identification of a positive case a facility should continue with their internal response of an exposure investigation with close contact identification, testing, instituting quarantine of patients or work restrictions of HCWs when indicated.
Members can also find resource documents at the Maine DHHS COVID Resource Webpage.

Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org

Federal Public Health Emergency Extended

Last week, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the declaration that a public health emergency exists. This is effective January 16, 2022 and will continue for 90 days pursuant to federal law. 
 
PHE renewal through mid-April is welcome news. It provides for the uninterrupted continuation of several flexibilities that have protected beneficiary access to important services in as safe and effective manner as possible. With this renewal:
  • Enhanced FMAP to states (6.2%) is extended to at least June 30, 2022, and will be further if the PHE is extended again in April.  The increased FMAP ends in the calendar year quarter in which the PHE ends;
  • ?All 1135 waivers will continue including 
    • Temporary nurse aide 
    • Waiver of required three day hospital state to? access skilled nursing benefits
    • Spell of Illness
  • All state Medicaid flexibilities will continue including
    • Expedited state plan amendment review
    • Waiver of Medicaid redetermination requirements
Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org

MHCA in the News

Please see links below to some recent press coverage of long term care issues:  Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org

Updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) Database File

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) has released its updated List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) database file, which reflects all OIG exclusions and reinstatement actions up to, and including, those taken in December 2021.
 
This new file replaces the updated LEIE database file available for download last month. Individuals and entities that have been reinstated to the federal health care programs are not included in this file.
 
The updated files are posted on OIG's website, and healthcare providers have an “affirmative duty" to check to ensure that excluded individuals are not working in their facilities or face significant fines.
 
Instructional videos explaining how to use the online database and the downloadable files are available.
 
As a best practice, long term care providers should check the LEIE on a regular basis. 

Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org

Maine Dementia Care Partnership presents free educational program and toolkit

The Maine Dementia Care Partnership (MDCP) is pleased to present the free, virtual education program, Addressing Root Causes of Cognitive Decline: A Guide to Preventing and Reducing Antipsychotics and How a New Maine Dementia Care Toolkit Can Help, on February 8 & 15, 2022, from 1-4 pm. The same program is being offered on two different dates to allow participants to choose the session that works best for them.
 
Part one of the session welcomes back popular speaker, Eric Collett, from A Mind for All Seasons, who will share current brain research that allows us to understand many of the root causes of cognitive decline and intervene to help people function better.
 
Part two of the program will introduce the Partnership’s new resident-centered dementia care toolkit. The “Is it for me, or for you?” Resident-Centered Dementia Care Toolkit is the result of many months of grant-funded work by Partnership members and clinicians. It provides a conceptual framework, roadmap, and step-by-step guide to help nursing homes successfully reduce off-label antipsychotic drug use within their settings.
 
As a requirement of the grant funding, the Partnership will engage at least 40 nursing homes in a formalized effort to implement at least one toolkit item. Interested providers will sign a letter of agreement and receive targeted support from Partnership members as they embark on their chosen project. The toolkit will be distributed free of charge to every Maine nursing home.
 
To view the flyer, please click here
To register your team, please click here

Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org

Maine College of Health Professions Open House invites staff to envision their professional future

The Maine College of Health Professions (MCHP) is accepting reservations to its Spring Open House, which will be held on April 14, 2022, from 4-6 pm at its campus located at 70 Middle Street, Lewiston.

Learn about MCHP’s entry to healthcare professions programs:
  • Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN)
  • Associate of Science degree in Nursing (RN)
  • Associate of Science degree in Radiological Technology (Rad-Tech)
  • Associate of Science degree in Health Sciences
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Medical Assisting (MA)
  • Phlebotomy
Or learn about MCHP’s degree completion and advanced certificate programs:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (RN-BSN)
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Imaging
  • Sonography Advanced Certificate
  • Mammography Advanced Certificate
  • Computed Tomography Advanced Certificate
MCHP enriches lives through offering exceptional education in the health professions, inspiring student success and lifelong learning. MCHP emphasizes interpersonal, interprofessional, and community collaboration, and we prioritize excellence in patient care, student learning, and scholarship.

Sign up today to REGISTER for the Open House and see the opportunities to grow our long term care workforce.

Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org

Support the professional development of your nurse managers!

MHCA Is pleased to share this exciting educational opportunity to support the professional development of your Nurse Managers. The Nurse Manager Certificate Program curriculum is designed to bolster the leadership skills of these important team members. The program will take place online, in an interactive format, over three weeks, with attendees utilizing webcams and microphones to engage with presenters and peers. 

Dates: Wednesday, February 2
            Thursday, February 10
            Thursday, February 17
Time: 1-4PM
Where: Online/Zoom, participants should be prepared to participate with cameras and microphones


For more information, please view the program flyer here.
To register, please complete the online registration form here.

Staff Contact: aellis@mehca.org 

Last chance to register for next week's web series: Healing and Recovery: Addressing Mental Health in the Wake of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to have, a significant impact on the psychosocial well-being of residents. This three-part, educational series offers a practical framework for providing quality care, and achieving compliance, now and in the months to come. Each module is designed to help the interdisciplinary team recognize and respond to trauma-related mood and behavioral needs of residents. A total of 4 CEUs is available to those who fully attend all three sessions.

  •  Tuesday, January 25, 1:00-2:30PM ~ Trauma-Informed Care: Strategies to Achieving Compliance and Quality
  • Wednesday, January 26, 1:00-2:30PM ~ Love Your Neighbor: Preventing Resident-To-Resident Aggression
  • Thursday, January 27, 1:00-2:00PM ~ I Want to Go Home: Addressing Transfer Trauma in Dementia Care

For more information, please see the flyer here.
To register, please click here.

Staff Contact: aellis@mehca.org

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