E-News Update Articles

Updates on CHIA HPPD reporting requirements change to monthly, DPH updates guidance on non-essential personnel in LTC facilities, EOHHS issues safe celebration information, MassHealth updates rates for COVID-19 vaccine administration, reminder: DPH has resumed annual surveys and county positivity rate for Barnstable County.

Memo discussing clarification on data collection for COVID-19 vaccination reporting; BinaxNOW test kit update; revised CDC burn rate calculator; Achieving a Full APU webinar is full – register to receive notification of recorded version, and the DPH weekly call.

An update on MassHealth Nursing Facility Bulletin 162 entitled Updated COVID-19 Ongoing Surveillance Testing Requirements for Nursing Facilities and the CDC safety monitoring system specifically for the COVID-19 vaccination program.

Updates provided on DPH guidance on the requirement to report COVID-19 vaccinations to the NHSN, vaccination of long-term care residents and staff following the Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program, Massachusetts Legislature COVID-19 recovery bill, CHIA updates to surveillance testing data collection format and schedule, and US Senate bill delaying Medicare sequestration cuts.

The CDC has a new Project Firstline Facilitator Toolkit. The toolkit includes infection control training resources that work for a variety of learning styles and fit into busy schedules. Resources online now include session plans and slide decks for 10, 20, and 60-minute presentations on foundational infection control topics.

The AHCA/NCAL Infection Control Certificate Program is designed for skilled nursing and assisted living staff to provide targeted eLearning modules as well as digital competencies. This program includes a toolkit to help you publicize your commitment to staff education on infection control. Your staff, your residents, and their families will feel more confident and at ease when you make this program available for your frontline workers. Learn more and register for a demo today!

Meet Guylene (Gilly) Muzac, a nurse and Resident Care Manager at Sherrill House in Boston. Gilly is one of the 45,000 dedicated caregivers working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic to protect and care for the Commonwealth’s nursing home residents. Currently, Gilly is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Curry College and is a recipient of the 2020/2021 Mass Senior Care Foundation scholarship. Gilly’s courage and dedication to her residents are just a few reasons why she is a frontline hero. Read her story today.

​​​​​​​CMS will host a webinar on Tuesday, March 30, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. to educate providers about to the Annual Payment Update (APU) process to achieve full APU. This webinar will cover the relationship between the APU and the SNF Quality Reporting Program, associated data submission requirements, and the reconsideration process for providers who are identified as being noncompliant. Register today or request a webinar recording.

As Massachusetts begins Phase 4, Part 1 on Monday, March 22, 2021, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services released a series of new guidance documents for health care and human services providers. This guidance supersedes previously issued guidance in Phases 1, 2 and 3. Read the Guidance Reopen Approach for Health Care Providers Phase 4: New Normal effective March 22, 2021, which replaces and supersedes all prior reopening guidance for acute care hospitals and other health care providers.

Register for a virtual session on how to support the emotional well-being of staff, and learn valuable tools for nursing facility leaders to provide continued support to staff in a post-COVID-19 environment. There are four sessions available beginning on March 30, 2021. Don't miss this important education program.

A notification about the most recent county positivity rate for Barnstable County is at 5.59% and the PPE.Exchange marketplace is offering an opportunity to place a group order to access wholesale prices direct from the manufacturer.

Massachusetts is building a state electronic registry to allow clinicians timely and trusted access to the medical forms that document patients' preferences for care near the end of life. The registry will include forms called physician orders for life-sustaining treatment, or POLST. As part of the project, Massachusetts will transition from the MOLST form to the POLST form to align with national standards and will conduct extensive outreach and education about the new form and how to use the online registry.

An update on Massachusetts Department of Public Health Guidance Reopen Approach for Health Care Providers Phase 4: New Normal effective March 22, 2021, replaces and supersedes all prior reopening guidance for acute care hospitals and other health care providers.

This memorandum discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure employees in high-hazard industries are protected from contracting COVID-19, a Boston Globe story touting vaccine success in nursing homes and a reminder: Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Repayment.

An update on DPH clarification on quarantine and vaccinated new admissions and readmissions and information on MSCA virtual sessions on supporting the emotional well-being of staff.

National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement will host a call for long-term care providers on Dementia-related psychosis on Tuesday, March 23 from 1:30 to 3 pm ET.

CMS has released a graphic to further explain the expanded visitation options in nursing facilities titled Mom’s vaccinated: when can I visit her in the nursing home?

The Senate Finance Committee yesterday held a public hearing on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes, with a broad range of witnesses from academia, government agencies (GAO) and advocacy organizations (SEIU, AARP, Ombudsman) and AHCA. Testimony and Senate questions focused primarily on the adequacy of staffing levels, ownership structure and data transparency.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) last week issued a report analyzing CMS’ use of nursing home staffing data. The OIG report credited CMS with taking important steps to inform consumers on nursing home staffing but offered the following recommendations to better inform consumers and improve nursing home oversight.

On March 12th, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released updated guidance on visitation conditions, communal dining, and congregate activities. Residents and staff are grateful for the opportunity to share activities and meals together; the following photos are from the member facility’s Facebook page.

The State Senate is deliberating on the COVID-19 recovery bill today, following initial passage in the House of Representatives last week. The bill would (1) freeze unemployment insurance rates for 2 years and avoid planned rate increases for 2021 and 2022, (2) provide for state tax exemption on any forgiven loans that small businesses received last year through the federal Paycheck Protection Program and (3) establish a new emergency COVID-19 paid leave program with up to one week of coverage (40 hours for FTE).

Stories of our long term care heroes are more important than ever to share. Mass Senior Care is requesting caregiver stories of our long term care heroes which will be featured in the Mass Senior Care E-News Update and highlighted in weekly communication with lawmakers. We are interested in interviewing long term care staff of all positions that have a story to share about working in nursing facilities or long term care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mass Senior Care reminds nursing facilities that the DPH has resumed annual recertification surveys. Nursing facilities should review their survey readiness protocols and procedures.

A memo discussing the Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) release of revised guidance for ALRs.

A notice to members that the updated Surveillance Testing Guidance released by DPH on March 12, 2021 includes the requirement that individuals more than 6 months from the date of original infection be included in surveillance testing, Mass Senior Care is offering members a free informational session regarding details about CNA training opportunities and the next weekly DPH call with providers is scheduled for Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:00 a.m.

An announcement to members that AHCA/NCAL will host a webinar on Tuesday, March 16 at 2PM Eastern to brief members on a co-branded AHCA/NCAL and LeadingAge reform proposal and a reminder about nursing home residents, medicaid, and stimulus checks.​

Today, DPH released updated guidance on four previous guidance documents. Click below for further details.

What Massachusetts COVID-19 Vaccine Providers Need to Know (Week of 3/12/21)

Update on the COVID-19 recovery bill moving through the legislature: (1) unemployment insurance rate freeze, (2) PPP tax exemption and (3) emergency COVID-19 paid sick leave.

In recognition of Long-Term Care Administrator's Week, Mass Senior Care extends our gratitude and appreciation to all long-term care administrators. We thank you for commitment to providing excellent quality of care and quality of life for the elderly and disabled individuals living in our communities.

Nursing facilities that are experiencing difficulty securing chair car services may be able to access transportation for MassHealth residents through this program. MassHealth provides non-emergency medical transportation for both ambulatory and non-ambulatory MassHealth members living in the community who are going to MassHealth-covered medical services.

Information on CMS release of revised guidance on nursing home visitation during the continued COVID-19 pandemic, an invitation to register for today’s CMS national nursing home stakeholder call and an update on Massachusetts travel restrictions for individuals fully vaccinated.

Through a moderator led discussion, Cassandra Tribe-Scott will explore the various ways that the pandemic and other aspects of social unrest have and continue to effect long term care staff. Ms. Scott will introduce customizable tools for nursing facility leaders as they provide continued support to staff in the management of their emotional well-being in a post-COVID-19 environment. Register today.

On March 10, 2021, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised guidance on nursing home visitation during the continued COVID-19 pandemic.

Meet David Gachanja, one of the 50,000 dedicated caregivers on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic protecting vulnerable nursing home residents. David is a Certified Nursing Assistant at Beaumont Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Worcester and has been a CNA for over 20 years.

The Commonwealth has revised travel restrictions for individuals that are fully vaccinated. Individuals who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, more than 14 days ago and who do not have symptoms, do not need to obtain a negative test prior to traveling to, or quarantine upon arrival to, Massachusetts.

An announcement that the Massachusetts Public Health Council voted to approve the proposed revisions to 105 CMR 150.00 Standards for Long-Term Care Facilities and MSCA is offering virtual sessions on meeting staff needs for trauma informed care & support in 2021.

Information about AHCA/NCAL campaign to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among long term care staff, MSCA offering virtual sessions on meeting staff needs for trauma informed care and support in 2021 and a reminder about the weekly DPH call.

CNA Training Opportunities Available The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has made available focused workforce grants to critical sectors including the health care community in order to prepare individuals to secure employment, support their families, and contribute to the state’s post-pandemic economic recovery. There are several funding sources and grant opportunities to train Certified Nursing Assistants. The following programs offer opportunities for nursing facilities to hire newly trained CNAs, create career pathways for Resident Care Assistants, and/or forge partnerships with local training

Information is shared with members on AHCA/NCAL new guidance​ on accessing COVID-19 vaccine in long term care after the LTC Pharmacy Partnership Program is completed and MassHealth to End 2nd Isolation Space Program on March 31, 2021.

At a young age, Guylen [Gilly] Muzac’s heart was set on becoming a nurse after watching her aunt receive tremendous nursing care. For the past 14 years, Guylene has worked on the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Unit at Sherril House in Boston. Recently she has been working as a Resident Care Manager, where she continues to make a positive difference.

Massachusetts Senior Care Association is excited to participate in the upcoming observance of National Skilled Nursing Care Week (NSNCW), which will be held May 9-15, 2021. This year's theme, "Together Through the Seasons," will honor the collaborative commitment of skilled nursing care facilities and their staff in providing compassionate care to their residents during this unprecedented time.

An announcement that due to the decrease in the number of focused infection control surveys, DPH has resumed annual surveys and information on a BinaxNOW expiration date update.

Mass Senior Care is pleased to welcome new members to our Association. Our Associate Members have demonstrated their commitment to the senior care provider community by joining Mass Senior Care and participating as exhibitors and sponsors for events and educational conferences. Mass Senior Care members are encouraged to contact Associate Members when they are in need of long term care products and services. You can find all of our Associate Members listed on our website, www.maseniorcare.org/preferred-vendors.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training that provides an overview of the assessment and coding of the standardized patient assessment data elements (SPADEs) related to falls in Section J: Health Conditions.

Mass Senior Care would like to alert long-term care facilities to a change in the Long-term Care Facility Licensure Renewal Application. The Department of Public Health will accept and process a long-term care facility license renewal application only if the application is completed and executed by an “Applicant” as defined in 105 CMR 153.004 (for example, an owner or executive officer of the licensee).

Last week, Massachusetts legislators filed over 6,000 bills to be debated during the 2021-2022 legislative session, including important nursing home legislation, which would provide further support for quality nursing facility care. Please join Mass Senior Care in urging legislators to prioritize nursing home care in the legislative session. Take action now by clicking here to email or call your state senator and representative to ask them to sign on as co-sponsor to the following bills.

Members are encouraged to tap AHCA’s groundbreaking SNF-centered report using hospital, SNF and other post-acute care claims to track patient flow and availability in the SNF’s market area, broken out by clinical categories relevant to the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM). The report is called P3©.

Mass Senior Care has provided public testimony on the following two proposed regulations:

Notice regarding The Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety is offering a free six-week support group for nurses working with COVID-19 patients in any health care setting and a reminder about the weekly DPH call.