COVID-19 news for week ending August 21, 2020

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

I blogged on the updated Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2 earlier this week.  Thursday, August 20, 2020, AHCA/NCAL posted CDC Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing … AHCA/NCAL Member Summary (thank you so much!).  “This document provides an explanation and summary of this guidance focusing on the elements that impact long-term … Read More

COVID-19 updates/resources/upcoming webinars

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

I’ve chosen again to put together a digest of what’s happening related to COVID-19 the past few days.  Each item is denoted with a bullet and I’ve bolded the state or title that applies to the material you’ll want to check out. The state of New Jersey, Department of Health, issued Executive … Read More

CMS announcements: Resumption of routine inspections and updated guidance to states

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Late in the day Monday, August 17, 2020, CMS posted this Press Release.  The full title is: CMS Announces Resumption of Routine Inspections of All Provider and Supplies, Issues Updated Enforcement Guidance to States and Posts Toolkit to Assist Nursing Homes; subtitle: Guidance outlines recommendations to state agencies on Clinical Laboratory Improvement … Read More

CMS posts version 7 – Toolkit on state actions to mitigate COVID-19 prevalence in nursing homes

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CMS has posted the latest edition of Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes – Version 7.   This version has 160 pages. As with the other versions, here are the Disclaimer (initial 4 paragraphs) and Acknowledgement statements (last paragraph): This document is a compilation of actions employed … Read More

More than $15 million in fines to nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemic

Mary MadisonClient News, Skilled NursingLeave a Comment

Those words were the headlines of a CMS Press Release issued the afternoon of August 14, 2020.  The subheading reads: CMS Enforcement Action Against Nursing Homes Triples compared to last year. Below is a significant excerpt from that Press Release (bolding added by me): Under the leadership of President Trump, … Read More