KANSAS UPDATES
FEDERAL UPDATES
We are getting lots of questions about PPE use. On April 2, 2020 CMS released new guidance that addresses PPE use. The current recommendations are quoted below.
“Long-term care facilities should ensure all staff are using appropriate PPE when they are interacting with patients and residents, to the extent PPE is available and per CDC guidance on conservation of PPE.
- For the duration of the state of emergency in their State, all long-term care facility personnel should wear a facemask while they are in the facility.
- Full PPE should be worn per CDC guidelines for the care of any resident with known or suspected COVID-19 per CDC guidance on conservation of PPE.
- If COVID-19 transmission occurs in the facility, healthcare personnel should wear full PPE for the care of all residents irrespective of COVID-19 diagnosis or symptoms.
- Patients and residents who must regularly leave the facility for care (e.g., hemodialysis patients) should wear facemasks when outside of their rooms.
- When possible, all long-term care facility residents, whether they have COVID-19 symptoms or not, should cover their noses and mouths when staff are in their room. Residents can use tissues for this. They could also use cloth, non-medical masks when those are available. Residents should not use medical facemasks unless they are COVID-19-positive or assumed to be COVID-19-positive.” (CMS, April 2, 2020, p. 2)
LEADINGAGE UPDATES
- HUD Staff Review New COVID-19 Funding, Other Issues.
- LeadingAge Urges IRS to Protect Housing Credit Residents and Providers.
- USDA Rural Development Updates FAQs.
- COVID 19 Stimulus Bill Facility Impact Calculators Explainer Document.
- COVID 19 Stimulus Bill Facility Impact Calculator Part A.
- COVID 19 Stimulus Bill Facility Impact Calculator.
- Member Ideas and Inspiration – LeadingAge members face new challenges every day as a result of coronavirus. We’re gathering examples of the innovative solutions they’re deploying to better serve older people and support their staff.
- Email COVID-19 Questions to: covid19@leadingage.org.
RESOURCES
- Free long-term care resources from APIC.
- Rural Towns Insulated From Coronavirus Now May Take A Harder Hit Later: NPR
- Everyone is now expected to wear a mask per CDC guidelines. The CDC put out directions on how to make a homemade mask as well as laundering guidelines for them.
Reminder Resources for Members with Positive COVID-19 In Their Buildings
- It is important for all members to understand that having a positive COVID-19 case is not a matter of “if” but “when” it happens. We encourage you to plan now if you haven’t already.
- Template Letter for Communities Who Are Testing for COVID-19
- Template Letter for Communities With a Positive COVID-19 Case
- Template Media Statement for a COVID-19 Outbreak in Your Organization
- Planning for a COVID-19 Outbreak in Your Community: Tips for Working with the Media
UPCOMING EDUCATION FROM LEADINGAGE KANSAS ON COVID-19
Don’t forget to join us next Friday at 10 AM for our weekly update webinar where we will have Charlotte Pineda from Congressman Marshall’s office providing a presentation on COVID-19 funding options. Register now.
Other Webinars
- April 9, 2020 | 1-1:30 PM | Webinar: OSHA – Respiratory Protection Plan.
- April 14, 2020 1-2 PM | Webinar: Suicide and Self-Harm in the Elder Resident.
- April 23, 2020 1-2 PM | Webinar: Learning From Coronavirus.
- April 29, 2020 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Webinar: QSEN and COVID .
