News

CDC Published Updated COVID-19 Guidance

On May 8, 2023 by Kari Everson

Updated from original content posted on Monday, May 8

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic. The CDC updated sections on recommendations for universal source control and admission testing and added an appendix section to help organizations determine when to implement broader use of source control. In response to the CDC guidance release, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released an update to QSO 20-39-NH REVISED, essentially adopting the CDC guidance.

Assisted Living Survey Data - First Quarter 2023

On April 20, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

In assisted living and assisted living with dementia care licensing surveys completed in the first quarter of 2023 by the Minnesota Department of Health, the average number of survey citations is 13.85. Analyzing the survey data can help assisted living settings provide safe, quality care and avoid citations on future surveys.

MDH, DHS Postpone Nursing Home Provider Webinar

On April 13, 2023 by Mark Schulz

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) have postponed the webinar scheduled for 1 p.m. on April 17 to provide information on nursing home topics including:

• Receivership
• Closure and emergency relocation procedures
• The role of governing board

Nurse Aide Knowledge Test Pass Rates are on the Rise

On April 13, 2023 by Anna Mowry

New data shows that statewide nurse aide knowledge test pass rates have increased by over 8% in the first quarter of 2023. This means more nursing assistants have been successfully certified and placed on the registry.

BELTSS to Present Licensing and Practice Requirements for Assisted Living Directors in Webinar next Wednesday

On April 13, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health’s Health Regulation Division (HRD) will host the Board of Executives for Long-Term Care Services and Supports (BELTSS) for a webinar on Wednesday, April 19, at noon to present the most frequently asked questions about Licensed Assisted Living Director (LALD) licensure and practice requirements.

Senate Human Services Holds Hearing on LTC Imperative Priorities

On March 2, 2023 by Erin Huppert

After a blizzard-induced postponement, the Senate Human Services Committee took up three long-term care bills championed by LeadingAge Minnesota and its Long-Term Care Imperative partner on Monday afternoon.  The three bills represent the breadth of aging services and the need to ensure they are available for seniors in all the places they call home. All three bills were laid over for inclusion in the committee’s omnibus bill, which will be assembled and passed later this session.

Revised Uniform Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (UDALSA) Posted

On February 16, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

An updated Uniform Disclosure of Assisted Living Services and Amenities (UDALSA) form is now available from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Customizing Assisted Living Policies

On January 19, 2023 by Bobbie Guidry

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently reminded assisted living providers to customize all pre-written sample policies to avoid correction orders.

Six Care Centers Apply for Moratorium Exceptions Process Funding

On January 5, 2023 by Jeff Bostic

The current round of applications for nursing facility moratorium exceptions has closed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently informed LeadingAge Minnesota that six care centers submitted proposals for this round. A review committee will hear the proposals in February, and the MDH commissioner will announce the approved projects by April 6.

Assisted Living Resource: Contacting On-Call RN

On January 5, 2023 by Kari Everson

With the assistance of several nurse leaders, LeadingAge Minnesota created a sample document for assisted living organizations to communicate expectations to staff. Understanding when an unlicensed person (ULP) must contact a registered nurse (RN) can be confusing, and the resource can help clarify some of your questions.

Assisted Living and Nursing Home Infection Reporting

On December 22, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran

COVID-19/Flu Tests Coming Soon to SNFs Throughout the State

On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Minnesota Department of Health is mailing a combination of COVID-19/Flu A&B rapid test kits to all skilled nursing facilities in the state. Kits should be arriving in the next 2-3 weeks.

Summary Resource for Assisted Living and Nursing Home Infection Reporting

On December 22, 2022 by Kari Everson

LeadingAge Minnesota has developed a new resource for members to help clarify the complex and often confusing infectious illness reporting requirements for our nursing home and assisted living members.

Assisted Living Emergency Relocation Notice Template Revised

On December 15, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

We have revised the Assisted Living Emergency Relocation Notice template to include additional information on appeals and to clarify who needs to receive the notice.

Nursing Home Chow Documents and Process Now Available

On December 15, 2022 by Kari Everson

Whenever a nursing home changes ownership, the new owner must apply for an operating license before taking over the operations of an already licensed organization. Aug. 1 amendments to the change of ownership (CHOW) process took effect. The current licensee remains responsible until the new owner is properly licensed. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has the updated information and forms and process available.

New Qualifying Medical Conditions for Medical Cannabis Program

On December 1, 2022 by Kari Everson

Minnesota’s medical cannabis program allows for the use of cannabis for Minnesota residents with qualifying medical conditions. On Nov. 30, the Office of Medical Cannabis announced the addition of two new diagnoses to the list: irritable bowel syndrome and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm to Retire

On November 17, 2022 by Erin Huppert

On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm announced that she will retire at the end of Governor Tim Walz's first term on Jan. 3, concluding a career of public service to Minnesota in the administrations of three different governors.

Free Virtual Reality Headsets for Nurse Aide Training Programs

On November 10, 2022 by Anna Mowry

New software is being developed to create virtual reality (VR) nurse aide skill simulations that align with the Headmaster skills test. Nurse aide training programs and instructors can volunteer to test the VR software to help provide feedback during the final product development stages.

MDH Issues a Special Edition ALL Together Newsletter with Changes to Assisted Living Laws

On November 6, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry

In a special edition of the ALL Together Newsletter sent last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) reviewed the assisted living license renewal information and provided a list of changes affecting assisted living facilities included in the Health and Human Services Policy Bill passed in the final hours of the 2022 legislative session.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on Recent COVID-19 Guidance Changes

On November 4, 2022 by Kari Everson

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released several changes to COVID-19 guidance over the past two weeks. Members have several questions about the nursing home vaccine mandate, source control and eye protection use, antigen testing of asymptomatic individuals, and resident screening.