News

Episcopal Homes of Minnesota Participates in Long-Term Care Facility Summit at the White House

On July 25, 2024 by LeadingAge Minnesota

Episcopal Homes of Minnesota was recently selected to attend the Long-Term Care Leadership Summit 3.0 at the White House.

NHSN Revises Definition of “Up To Date” for COVID-19 Vaccination

On March 21, 2024 by Kari Everson

The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) revised its definition of "up to date" for COVID-19 vaccine reporting in long-term care (LTC) facilities.

PHE Ending – What it means for Nursing Homes

On February 23, 2023 by Mark Schulz

Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) held its routine National Nursing Home Stakeholder Call. During this call, CMS staff reiterated several vital facts about the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE).

CMS Issues New QSO After White House Statement

On December 1, 2022 by Kari Everson

The White House released a statement on Nov. 22 announcing a six-week campaign targeted to increase COVID-19 vaccinations nationwide. Within the message, the Biden-Harris administration has a section specifically focused on nursing homes and our existing requirement to educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccinations and offer vaccination.

New SNF QRP Measure Begins Oct. 1

On August 25, 2022 by Julie Apold

Care centers must track and report flu vaccination information to the CDC this fall.

The reporting period for the new Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) measure "Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Healthcare Personnel" (HCP) begins Oct. 1.

Pfizer and BioNTech Apply for 2ND Booster EUA

On March 17, 2022 by Kari Everson

This week, the makers of a COVID-19 vaccine applied with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization (EUA) for a second booster dose.

CMS Updates Two Quality and Safety Oversight Memos

On March 17, 2022 by Kari Everson

On March 10, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated two quality and safety oversight memos to align more closely with the previously updated guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

New Reference to “Up To Date” Vaccination Status in Guidance

On March 3, 2022 by Kari Everson

On Jan. 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2. There were two small changes to the guidance.

CMS Staff Vaccination Rule: Phase 2 Deadline is Feb. 28

On February 24, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Implementation of the CMS staff vaccination mandate continues in full swing, with the Phase 2 compliance deadline arriving on Monday, Feb. 28.

CDC Updates Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines

On February 17, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines.

FDA Approves the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; To be Marketed as Spikevax

On February 3, 2022 by Kari Everson

On Jan. 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a second COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; the approved vaccine will be marketed as Spikevax to prevent COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older.

CMS Updates Nursing Home Survey Tools for Staff Vaccination Mandate

On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

Thursday, Jan. 27, marks Minnesota's Phase 1 compliance deadline for the CMS staff vaccination rule. Surveyors are now reviewing for nursing home compliance with this requirement on all initial certification, standard recertification surveys, and all complaint surveys, regardless of what issue the complaint involves. 

OSHA Withdraws Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard

On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

OSHA has officially withdrawn its Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision forbidding OHSA from enforcing it. The standard would have applied to all employers with 100 or more employees and required businesses to implement a vaccine mandate or weekly testing option for all employees.

Providers Must Continue Preparation for Implementation of CMS Vaccination Mandate

On January 6, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

As previously reported, CMS has announced that it will begin enforcing its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination mandate for facilities located in all states where the rule is not currently blocked by a legal injunction, including Minnesota. CMS has not published new information over the past several days, but we wanted to share what we know for any readers who missed our story last week.

Update on OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards

On January 6, 2022 by Jonathan Lips

We continue to monitor the status of the OSHA emergency temporary standards relating to COVID-19, and here is the latest available information.

CMS Announces Plans to Enforce Staff Vaccination Mandate in Minnesota and Other States

On December 30, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

CMS announced on Dec. 28 that it will begin enforcing its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination mandate for facilities located in all states where the rule is not currently blocked by a legal injunction, including Minnesota.

Litigation Update: Status of Lawsuits Challenging Federal Vaccination Mandates

On December 9, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

Aging services providers across the country are closely following the status of the federal staff vaccination mandates as legal challenges work their way through the courts. 

Vaccine FAQs Revisited: Which Vaccine Rules Applies to Your Setting?

On November 11, 2021 by Kari Everson

Alongside our members, LeadingAge Minnesota is working to answer questions regarding both the OSHA and CMS Vaccine and Testing Emergency Temporary Standards. We have shared answers each day as quickly as possible, but we would like to summarize some of the frequently asked questions we are getting from members across the state.

CMS Vaccination Rule Challenged by 10-State Coalition

On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

The Associated Press has reported that a coalition of 10 states sued the federal government on Nov. 10 to block the CMS COVID-19 vaccine requirement for health care workers. The CMS rule remains in full effect, and the filing of this suit has no impact unless and until the court issues a ruling. We will follow this breaking story closely, but long-term care providers should continue working to implement the CMS vaccine rules.

MDH, DHS, CMS Clarify, Add Detail to Vaccination Rules

On November 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

State and federal regulators have added clarifying information to the conversation about how vaccine rules will be implemented and enforced in long-term care settings.