STATE NEWS

Update on ARPA Fund Disbursements
KDADS plans to submit the first list of approved disbursements to KDHE this week which should include the 110 nursing facilities that have submitted completed beneficiary agreements.

If you are encountering issues or have questions regarding your beneficiary agreement, please reach out to Sheri Jurad at KDADS Sheri.Jurad@ks.gov

FEDERAL NEWS

CMS Released Updates COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Homes
On Friday, CDC and then CMS posted long-awaited updates to COVID-19 guidance for nursing facilities.  While the new requirements do not allow facilities and residents to return completely to normal, there are many changes that everyone will be happy to see. For example:

• CDC/CMS no longer recommends active screening of staff and visitors entering a healthcare setting for COVID-19 symptoms or exposure.
• Universal source control is no longer recommended in healthcare settings in areas of substantial, moderate, or low community transmission except for individuals who meet specific criteria.
• CDC /CMS no longer recommends routine screening testing of asymptomatic healthcare personnel based on community transmission rates.
• Quarantine is no longer recommended for asymptomatic residents/patients or visitors to healthcare settings following exposure. CDC also no longer recommends quarantine of asymptomatic new admission / readmissions to the nursing home.

CDC Updated Guidance

CMS Revised Testing Memo

CMS Revised Visitation Memo

Helpful article from LeadingAge National summarizing CDC/CMS updates.

Check Your Community Transmission Data Every Week
Healthcare settings will continue to use Community Transmission Rates to inform infection prevention and control practices rather than the COVID Community Levels utilized by the general public. Using community transmission rates allows providers to adjust interventions earlier, mitigating the strain on the healthcare system and protecting the vulnerable individuals seeking care in healthcare settings. CDC recommends that healthcare settings check community transmission rates on a weekly basis to best determine infection control practices based on current conditions.

LEADINGAGE KANSAS NEWS

Friday Webinar
Join us this Friday for an update on what is going on pertaining to COVID, updates on the association front, and much more.

If you haven’t registered already, you can do so here. You can also see archived webinars and get handouts here.

THANKS TO OUR GOLD PARTNER