5-Minute Learning Modules for Frontline Staff: Emotional and Organizational Support (12/21)

These brief videos offer self-paced learning for those on the front lines of nursing home care. This includes nursing assistants, housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance staff, and others. Emotional and Organizational Support for Staff Series This series of three learning modules features strategies to help nursing home teams recognize and manage …

AHRQ Resource Helps Nursing Home Staff Fit Respirators (12/21)

Respirators, including N95s and elastomeric respirators, help protect healthcare workers from COVID-19 and other airborne viruses. Making sure these respirators fit the face properly is essential to maximizing their effectiveness. A new AHRQ guide defines respirator fit testing and explains why it’s important, how it works and how often nursing home staff …

Q&A: Where can I find information on the new CMS COVID-19 vaccination requirements?

Question: Where can I find information on the new CMS COVID-19 vaccination requirements? Answer from Denise Winzeler, BSN, RN, LNHA, DNS-CT, QCP: CMS has developed a FAQ document regarding the Interim Final Rule that answers a lot of questions regarding the 214-page document that was released on Nov. 4. CMS …

Important CMS Updates for Skilled Nursing Facilities

AAPACN’s mission is to support the professional development, empowerment, and success of members with resources. We especially want to provide that support during the current COVID-19 emergency. Federal guidance is rapidly developing and changing. AAPACN and partner organizations are developing tools and resources to help you care for patients, protect …

Study: Short-term and Long-term Rates of Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (10/21)

Findings  In this systematic review of 57 studies comprising more than 250 000 survivors of COVID-19, most sequelae included mental health, pulmonary, and neurologic disorders, which were prevalent longer than 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 exposure. JAMA Netw Open. 2021;4(10):e2128568. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.28568 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2784918

COVID-19 Testing Guidelines for Nursing Homes (9/21)

Updates as of Sept. 10, 2021 Updated outbreak response guidance to promote use of contact tracing approach. Alternative broad-based approaches to outbreak response at a facility-wide or unit level are also described. Updated expanded screening testing recommendations for healthcare personnel (HCP). Updated recommendations for quarantine of fully vaccinated residents. Updated …

Sept. 30 CDC COCA Call: Evaluating and Supporting Patients Presenting With Fatigue Following COVID-19

Overview During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss Post-COVID conditions (PCC), an umbrella term for the wide range of health consequences present four or more weeks after infection with SARS-CoV-2, which includes Long-COVID. It can be difficult to distinguish symptoms of fatigue and post-exertional malaise caused by PCC from symptoms that …

COVID-19 MLN Matters Article SE20011 Update Highlights Need to Meet Part A Level-of-Care Requirements (9/21)

The section “SNF Qualifying Hospital Stay (QHS) and Benefit Period Waivers” in MLN Matters Special Edition Article SE20011 Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been updated. The emergency SNF QHS and benefit period requirements under Section 1812(f) of the Social Security Act …

Learn How to Navigate the AHRQ COVID-19 Resource Collection (8/21)

This video [1 minute, 29 seconds] explains how to navigate the Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network’s resources site, find the latest news, and search for materials by topic or other filters. Audio description version 

The Exit of the CNA: Mandate or Me—What Now?

With the introduction of the vaccine mandate for nursing home employees, many organizational leaders fear staff, especially certified nursing assistants (CNAs), will quit rather than get the vaccine. This week, several industry experts have voiced concerns about the potential for a mass exit of CNAs, questioning how facilities can continue …