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Skilled Nursing & Senior Living COVID-19 Response & Resource Guide
Skilled Nursing & Senior Living COVID-19 Response & Resource Guide
The news about the spread of the new disease, COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the risks it poses for those who become infected is concerning to us all. Ensuring residents are cared for in a safe and healthy environment is a priority for all senior care and living communities. To assist our clients, managed communities, and other providers in preparing for and responding to COVID-19, Health Dimensions Group has created a Skilled Nursing & Senior Living COVID-19 Response & Resource Guide which is available for your download and use.
Close Monitoring & Implementation of CMS, CDC, State & Trade Association Guidance
Resources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/prevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html
- https://www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-14-nh-revised.pdf
- https://www.ahcancal.org/facility_operations/disaster_planning/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
- https://leadingage.org/coronavirus-resources
Development of Detailed Surveillance & Preparedness Plan
- Emergency preparedness plans
- Visitor restrictions & screening
- Community signage
- Employee & provider screening & illness tracking
- Staff education & auditing
- Resident illness tracking & symptom screening & response
- PPE & supply management
- Review & updating (if necessary) policies & procedures around infection control
- Intensified plant operations & housekeeping activities
Resources:
Communication
- Develop written communication for visitors, families, residents, staff & vendors
- Develop clear signage for building entries
- Share government notices & flyers with all audiences
- Update websites & social media sites
- Update phone & voice messages
- Utilize other tools like auto text & call software to quickly contact staff & families
- Develop media statements & train local staff on media interaction
- Develop communication plan with key audiences delineated
Resources:
- https://www.ahcancal.org/facility_operations/disaster_planning/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
- https://leadingage.org/coronavirus-resources
Workforce Planning & Support
- Tracking of State & Federal programs to support workforce, including leave policies & exclusions
- Updating recruiting & job postings to recruit hospitality workers
- Utilizing paid & organic social media to support recruiting
- Defined training processes to train and competency test new employees quickly
- Offer support for childcare, sick leave, & employee support services
- Interview processes to include web meetings to continue to recruit while adhering to visitor restrictions
- Development of contingency staffing plan
- Identify menu & food ordering guide for staffing crisis
- Track state-level waivers and guidelines on staff screening and trainer
- Review new paid leave requirements and eligibility
Resources:
Financial Resource Review
- Review current & projected cash positions of communities
- Explore loan, line and government resources for COVID-19 expense
- Work with vendors on payment terms
- Identify backup personnel for billing & collections to ensure stable cash flow
- Proactively communicate with lenders who are seeking updates on assets
Survey Readiness
- Review existing infection control policies, procedures & tracking
- Have all COVID-19 specific training & tools implemented
- Document COVID-19 response, training & tracking
- Review updated CMS survey guidelines
Resources:
COVID-19 Positive Case Management
- State Health Department collaboration on testing and positive case management
- PPE requirements & room signage
- Review hospital transfer documents & procedures
- Care-in-place management plan
- Ongoing education on precautions
- Outbreak control including plan for COVID-19 treatment area and dedicated staff
Resources:
- https://www.cdc.gov/hai/state-based/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/longtermcare/pdfs/LTC-Resp-OutbreakResources-P.pdf
Daily Education & Discussion
- Frequent review & dissemination of new guidelines & surveillance to communities
- Daily site leadership training
- Open discussion of challenges between communities on daily call
- On-site leadership & staff huddles
- Education & auditing of infection control policies & PPE utilization
Supplies & PPE Planning
- Collaborate with suppliers on ordering & shipping timelines
- Partner with hospitals & health coalitions for critical supplies if needed
- Attend supplier education to understand ordering processes & allotments
- Monitoring & storing of supplies for loss prevention
- Staying current with PPE guidance on use
Resources:
Resident Life
- Utilization of technology for e-visits – tablets, tools & training
- In-room & hallway activities like overhead speaker games & interaction
- Encourage community at large to send cards, letters, puzzle books, books, & other small gifts
- 1:1 activities with social distancing
Resources:
Rapid Response Team
- Identify a team (not currently working in communities) to be trained to provide direct care, housekeeping & dining services in the case of an outbreak & staffing shortages
- Train & competency test this team to provide side-by-side support to on-site teams
- Reduce exposure risk of this team by utilizing a remote workforce & social distancing to ensure they are healthy if team is deployed
Tracking of Policy Changes
- 3 Day stay Medicare waivers
- LTACH transfers
- MDS timing changes
- Medicare appeals
Resources:
Contact Us
If you have any questions, or HDG can assist you in your preparedness or response, please contact us at info@hdgi1.com or 763.537.5700.
To download a PDF of the Skilled Nursing & Senior Living COVID-19 Response & Resource Guide, click here.