News

MDH Clarifies CDC Isolation Guidance for COVID-19

On March 7, 2024 by Mark Schulz

Effective March 1, individuals in the general public with COVID-19 no longer have to isolate for five days, per new guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

MDH Offers One-Time PPE Request Opportunity

On November 30, 2023 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is currently offering a one-time disbursement of personal protective equipment (PPE) to improve infection prevention capacity in assisted living organizations and nursing homes.

CDC Updates mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Guidelines

On April 27, 2023 by Kari Everson

On April 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated guidance for mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. Going forward, bivalent vaccines will be administered for all immunization doses, and the monovalent (original) vaccine is no longer available. This updated guidance does not include Novovax or Johnson and Johnson Janssen. These continue to be monovalent vaccines, and the schedule remains the same.

Public Health Emergency to End on May 11

On February 2, 2023 by Mark Schulz

On Monday, President Biden announced he will end the public health emergency (PHE) on May 11. This announcement was not a surprise given the shift towards our new “normal” the pandemic has created for everyone. 

CDC and CMS Release Updated SARS-CoV-2 Guidance for Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

On September 29, 2022 by Kari Everson

Late on Sept. 23, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published updated COVID-19 guidance for nursing homes and assisted living. The updated guidance reflects the increased prevalence of vaccine-acquired and disease-acquired immunity. The updated information includes:

NHSN to Offer Webinar for Nursing Homes on Vaccination Data Tracking Worksheets

On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The NHSN Vaccination Team is providing two webinars on Tuesday, March 29, and Thursday, March 31, at 1 pm to review new “Event-Level COVID-19 Vaccination Forms.”  These are currently called the Data Tracking Worksheets that are available to facilities in an Excel spreadsheet format. This worksheet has now been built into the NHSN application for long-term care facilities to manage person-level vaccination data.

Bill Authorizing Agency Waivers and Emergency Staffing Pool is Headed to the Governor

On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

This week the Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate approved passage of Senate File 2876, granting certain temporary waiver authorities to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and authorizing DHS to invest $1 million in an emergency staffing pool.

OSHA Advances Work to Establish Permanent COVID Standard for Healthcare Workers

On March 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

OSHA announced this week that it will take new public comment on the emergency temporary standard (ETS) issued last summer in relation to COVID-19 exposure in healthcare settings, and will hold a public hearing on these issues April 27.

Upcoming Changes to Reporting Negative Antigen Results

On March 24, 2022 by Kari Everson

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) updated the reporting requirements for COVID-19 point of care (POC) tests. The update to section 18115 of the Cares Act changes the facility’s reporting requirements for negative point of care (POC) test results.

Annual Meeting On-Demand Access is Open for Registered Participants

On October 14, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

Last week our 2021 Annual Meeting & Leadership Forum concluded with a day of exceptional education sessions that covered timely COVID response issues of employment law, liability issues, post-traumatic recovery and growth, SNF reimbursement and more. It capped three days of keynote presentations, general sessions and 17 hour-long breakout sessions on various topics for older adult service providers.

Virtual Connect Conference is Oct. 27-28; Registration Remains Open

On October 14, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

The 2021 Connect Conference will be a virtual event on Oct. 27 and 28 and is packed with excellent education and learning opportunities.

Registration remains open and includes both the live broadcast of the conference, and full on-demand access to all session content through the end of the year.

New! Vaccine Mandate Webinar is Friday, Aug. 13

On August 11, 2021 by Heidi Simpson

With the Delta variant causing another increase in COVID-19 cases, many employers – including care centers, assisted living, and other long-term care settings – are considering vaccine mandates for employees. Join us for a webinar from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 13 to discuss legal considerations related to developing and implementing staff vaccine mandates.

Public Health Emergency Renewed by HHS

On July 21, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services extended the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) for another 90 days through Oct. 18. With this extension, the 1135 federal blanket waivers issued by CMS will continue unless it decides to terminate one or more of the waivers before that date.

Reminder: DHS Grant Monies Available

On May 5, 2021 by Lori Meyer

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), through the Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and the State Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) Initiative, is seeking applications from qualified Minnesota Medicaid-Certified Nursing Facilities that are interested in applying for grant funds for several project opportunities.