COVID-19 news and updates

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States are working very hard to speed up COVID-19 vaccination rates.  Here are some state plans and dashboards you may want to check out and bookmark for future reference: Texas COVID-19 Vaccination Information COVID-19 Vaccination in Texas dashboard  Nebraska Nebraska COVID-19 Vaccination dashboard.  On this same dashboard, you can access … Read More

CMS posts LTC survey process update

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CMS posted an update to the LTC Survey Process on Monday, January 4, 2021.  The Revision History for LTC Survey Process Documents and Files shows these additions to the Survey Resources folder: You’ll find the Survey Resources folder beneath Downloads on the update page (see link above chart). Subscribers to Briggs’ LTC Survey Guide -1766 and Briggs’ … Read More

CMS revises Infection Control surveys – adds 5 triggers

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On January 4, 2021, CMS issued a revised QSO-20-31-All … Revised COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes. The Memorandum Summary shows these overall updates (note the verbiage in red) to this now 29-page QSO: The updates are identified … Read More

CMS updates Appendix B of the RAI User’s Manual

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Appendix B of the RAI User’s Manual was updated on December 31, 2020.  This Appendix provides the contact information for state RAI and MDS Automation Coordinators as well as RAI Coordinator Panel Members and Regional Office Contacts. CMS provided the specific changes via this 1-page document.  The states of Colorado, … Read More

CMS updates COVID-19 county positivity data

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CMS has posted updated county positivity data with a date of January 4, 2021.  Remember that the frequency of your LTC facility’s testing of staff and residents depends on your county positivity.  Information about these requirements and guidelines can be found here.  Archived past county positivity data is found here.