Blog
Archive January 2022
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ServSafe ® Food Safety course offered in several Maine communities
- By: Ashley Ellis
- On: 01/19/2022 10:59:32
- In: Education
The ServSafe Food Safety Program for Managers is a blend of the latest FDA Food Code, food safety research and years of food sanitation training experience, helping managers learn how to implement essential food safety practices and create a culture of food safety. ServSafe ® Certification is valid for a period of 5 years and recognized nationally.
To register, you may visit his website or contact David by email at dfssuhr@gmail.com or by phone at 207-329-0958.
Staff Contact: aellis@mehca.org
MHCA Work Force Committee reconvenes
- By: Angela Westhoff
- On: 01/13/2022 13:21:22
- In: Workforce
During the meeting, the committee also reviewed state and national data, discussed industry trends, and brainstormed ideas for staff recruitment and retention efforts. MHCA will also be repeating the staffing shortage survey from this past Fall so that we can collect updated data on workforce needs.
Committee members include:
Louis Dugal - High View Manor
Sandra Myers - Continuum Health Services
Doug Gardiner - North Country Associates
Gabrielle Herbig - Sweet Seniors
Amanda Nelson - Oak Grove Center
Craig Alaimo - Sedgewood Commons
Debra Fournier - Maine Veterans Homes
Tarsha Rodrigue - Maine General
Christine Riendeau - First Atlantic Healthcare
Jessica Duffy - Seventy-Five State Street
The committee is staffed by Angela Westhoff, President/CEO and Nadine Grosso, Vice President & Director of Communications.
Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org
Maine DHHS releases new crisis staffing guidance
- By: Danielle Watford
- On: 01/13/2022 12:32:16
- In: Quality/Regulatory
In today's memo, facilities are directed to update their emergency plans including their emergency staffing plans to address emergency level staffing and when they would utilize crisis staffing within their facility. DLC will be looking at emergency plans and facility emergency staffing plans going forward, especially in facilities that implement/use the CDC Crisis staffing of asymptomatic COVID-19 positive staff to ensure they are doing so consistent with their plans and U.S. CDC guidance and in a manner that does not increase virus spread among non-COVID-19 positive staff and residents.
MHCA will be revising already provided templates to align with this change. In a call with DLC Director William Montejo, he expressed that he and his team recognize that all facilities are working tirelessly to follow the pre-existing crisis staffing 'steps' outlined in previous staffing guidance and this new memo should help by eliminating the burden of having to call Maine CDC or DHHS DLC when an extreme staffing crisis exists. Facilities now have the ability to enact crisis staffing of asymptomatic COVID-19 positive staff without CDC/DHHS approval consistent with US CDC guidance.
MHCA strongly encourages homes to revise their crisis plans and emergency staffing plans accordingly and ensure that references to the US CDC guidance is included in their plans.
Please don't hesitate to reach out with additional questions.
Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org
CMS Administrator’s National Stakeholder Call – January 18, 2022 – to highlight strategic vision
- By: Nadine Grosso
- On: 01/13/2022 11:26:47
- In: Quality/Regulatory
The Administrator’s vision is for CMS to serve the public as a trusted partner and steward dedicated to advancing health equity, expanding coverage, and improving health outcomes as CMS engages the communities it serves throughout the policymaking and implementation process. CMS invites you to join this second national stakeholder call to learn more about how you can partner with us as we implement our vision.
When: January 18, 2022, 1 PM - 1:45 PM ET
Speakers:
- CMS Administrator, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure
- Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer, Jon Blum
- CMS Leadership Team
Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org
USCIS announces expedited processing of EAD Renewal Applications thanks to AHCA/NCAL
- By: Nadine Grosso
- On: 01/13/2022 11:17:43
- In: Legislative/Government Affairs
On December 28th, USCIS announced that “Effective immediately, if you are a healthcare worker who has a pending Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal application (Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization) and your EAD expires in 30 days or less or has already expired, you can request expedited processing of your EAD application.” USCIS referenced a DHS advisory memorandum (“Healthcare / Public Health” section, pages 7-9) which lists critical healthcare occupations. The USCIS noted that an applicant will need to be prepared to provide evidence of profession or current employment as a healthcare worker to request the expedited processing. A request to expedite can be made by the applicant or his/her attorney by calling USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833).
This change is the direct result of your membership dues at work at the national level. MHCA thanks the advocacy team at AHCA/NCAL for its efforts on this workforce initiative. For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit uscis.gov.
Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org
UNE medical student research survey
- By: Nadine Grosso
- On: 01/13/2022 10:57:57
- In: Announcements/Reminders
Access the survey here: https://redcap.une.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=KD7YKW9LJK
Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org
MHCA pleased to announce 2022 Remember ME program
- By: Nadine Grosso
- On: 01/13/2022 10:40:36
- In: Special Events
To nominate your resident, please go to the following link and click on the nomination form box where you will complete the form. To avoid losing your work, copy and paste full narrative from Word. Submissions must be completed in one session. Partial nominations will not be saved.
We are looking for pioneering, innovative residents who meet any of the following criteria:
- Residents with historically significant backgrounds;
- Residents who have had unique or interesting accomplishments either while living in the facility or prior to admission;
- Residents who have overcome either personal or health-related obstacles to achieve;
- Residents who have served community, state or country (through volunteerism, civic organizations or US military); OR
- Residents who are considered pillars of the local community.
Join us again in putting the “human face” on long term care. Please be sure to submit your nomination on line by January 28, 2022.
Staff contact: ngrosso@mehca.org
CDC Webinar TODAY: Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
- By: Danielle Watford
- On: 01/13/2022 10:37:16
- In: COVID-19
- Title: Updates to CDC’s COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidelines in Healthcare and Non-healthcare Settings
- Date: Thursday, January 13, 2022
- Time: 2 PM – 3 PM ET
Registration is not required. Click here to join a few minutes before the webinar begins.
Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org
Avoiding NHSN Data Reporting Errors: AHCA Resource Tool Available
- By: Danielle Watford
- On: 01/13/2022 10:33:55
- In: Quality/Regulatory
- Resident Impact and Facility Capacity
- Staff and Personnel Impact
- Supplies and PPE
- Therapeutics
- COVID-19 Vaccine for Residents
- COVID-19 Vaccine for Staff
Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org
CMS updates LTC Visitation Guide for Families/Residents during Omicron Surge
- By: Danielle Watford
- On: 01/13/2022 10:25:19
- In: COVID-19
MHCA suggests that member homes review these resources and consider their use when communicating with residents and families regarding visitation during COVID-19 surge conditions.
Staff Contact: dwatford@mehca.org