| Free COVID-19 Tests Still Available from HHS | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Free-COVID-19-Tests-Still-Available-from-HHS.aspx | Free COVID-19 Tests Still Available from HHS | | | | | 11/20/2023 5:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">As the spread of respiratory viruses increases this fall/winter, AHCA/NCAL is reminding providers about the availability of free COVID-19 tests through the department of Health and Human Services (HHS)</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> Abbott BinaxNOW Test Kit Program.</span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities continue to receive or are eligible to receive free monthly shipments of Abbott BinaxNOW over the counter (OTC) COVID-19 test kits. Facilities/communities must have an active CLIA waiver to be eligible to participate in this program. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><br><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Shipments can be started and stopped, and test quantities can be increased or decreased by emailing </span><a href="mailto:TDX@hhs.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">TDX@hhs.gov</span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">. The email must include: </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Name of the facility </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></li><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Facility address </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></li><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">CLIA waiver number </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></li><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Request (stop, start, increase, decrease)</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":259}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Please note, it may take a week or two to update the shipping information. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <br><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">CDC guidance requires anyone with even mild symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested. More information and detailed guidance can be found on CDC’s </span><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel.</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">If you have an influx of test kits and aren’t sure how to use them, keep in mind that since the tests are OTC, you can provide them to visitors, staff, or residents for their personal use as well. The exact expiration dates for the tests can be found on the </span><a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/home-otc-covid-19-diagnostic-tests?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=Update+on+HHS%e2%80%99+Abbott+BinaxNOW+Test+Kit+Program&cm_pla=Marks+Memos+2023+Marketing+List&cm_ite=FDA+website&cm_lm=1341836736&cm_ainfo=&&&&&" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">FDA</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> website</span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span> <br><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">For questions related to the HHS BinaxNOW distribution Program, please email </span><a href="mailto:TDX@hhs.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">TDX@hhs.gov</span></span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">. </span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559739":160,"335559740":259}"> </span></div><br><br><br><br></div> | | |
| New Resources Available to Enhance Vaccination Efforts in Long Term Care | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-Resources-Available-to-Enhance-Vaccination-Efforts-in-Long-Term-Care-.aspx | New Resources Available to Enhance Vaccination Efforts in Long Term Care | | | | | 11/7/2023 5:00:00 AM | | In the ever-evolving landscape of long term care, staying informed and equipped with the latest resources is paramount for providers. <br><br>AHCA/NCAL is happy to introduce new resources available on the <a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=The+2023+%23GetVaccinated+Provider+Toolkit+is+Now+Available&cm_pla=Marks+Memos+2023+Marketing+List&cm_ite=https%3a//www.ahcancal.org/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx&cm_lm=1232373369&cm_ainfo=&&&&&" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">#GetVaccinated website</a>, including the latest “Frequently Asked Questions," “Vaccine Co-Administration in Long Term Care," and “Offering and Documenting Vaccines in Long Term Care."<br><br><strong>Addressing a Crucial Issue</strong> <br>Long term care residents face heightened susceptibility to fall and winter viruses. To counter this, the federal government recommends that residents receive vaccinations against COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV when indicated. This recommendation has brought to the forefront the challenge of co-administering these vaccines effectively. <br><br><strong>Scientific Backing</strong> <br>The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), composed of medical and public health experts, plays a pivotal role in advising the CDC. All three vaccines for – RSV, Influenza, and COVID-19 – are FDA-approved and recommended by ACIP. <br><br>Recent research confirms that co-administering the COVID-19 vaccine with the seasonal influenza vaccine does not result in increased reactions or reduced immune response.<br><br>These new resources in the #GetVaccinated toolkit empower long term care providers to make informed decisions and provide the best care possible.<div> <br><div style="text-align:center;"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-3"> </span><a href="/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx?cm_ven=ExactTarget&cm_cat=The+2023+%23GetVaccinated+Provider+Toolkit+is+Now+Available&cm_pla=Marks+Memos+2023+Marketing+List&cm_ite=https%3a//www.ahcancal.org/Quality/Pages/GetVaccinated.aspx&cm_lm=1232373369&cm_ainfo=&&&&&" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><span class="ms-rteFontSize-3"><strong>Access the latest #GetVaccinated resources and toolkit now</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:17.3333px;"><b>!</b></span></div><br><strong>The National Infection Prevention Forum</strong> <br>If you're dedicated to enhancing infection prevention in long term care, consider <a href="/Quality/Clinical-Practice/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">joining the National Infection Prevention Forum</a>. This platform provides a supportive community, invaluable resources, and opportunities for collaboration. Together, providers can raise the bar in infection prevention and continue to deliver top-tier long term care. Learn more and <a href="/Quality/Clinical-Practice/Pages/default.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank" style="font-size:14.6667px;">join the National Infection Prevention Forum</a><span style="color:#555555;font-size:14.6667px;background-color:#ffffff;">. </span><br><br><br></div> | | |
| COVID-19 Vaccine Up-To-Date Definition Update | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/COVID-19-Vaccine-Up-To-Date-Definition-Update.aspx | COVID-19 Vaccine Up-To-Date Definition Update | | | | | 10/25/2023 4:00:00 AM | | <div>The approval of the <a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/New-COVID-19-Vaccine-Approved-for-Use.aspx" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">new COVID-19 vaccines for 2023-2024</a> triggered a change in the National Health and Safety Network’s (NHSN) <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/covid19/quickreferenceguide-uptodateguidance-508.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank">surveillance definition of “up-to-date”</a> on COVID-19 vaccine to align with the new vaccine recommendations.<span style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Per NHSN definition, as of September 25, 2023, individuals are considered “up-to-date” with their COVID-19 vaccines if they meet one of the following criteria: </strong><br></div><div><ol><li><strong>Received a 2023-2024 updated COVID-19 vaccine OR </strong><br></li><li><strong>Received a bivalent* COVID-19 vaccine within the last two months.</strong><br> <br></li></ol></div><div><span style="color:#555555;font-size:14.6667px;background-color:#ffffff;"><em>*Note that the bivalent vaccines are no longer authorized as of 9/12/2023.</em></span><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Please review the latest </strong><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/pdfs/ltc/covidvax/Long-term-Care-Up-to-Date-Vaccination-Status-Surveillance-Definition-Change-for-COVID-September-2023.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>training</strong></a><strong> for reporting to </strong><a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/ltc/weekly-covid-vac/index.html#anchor_21689" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="["60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"]" target="_blank"><strong>NHSN Healthcare Personnel and Resident Weekly LTCF COVID-19 Vaccination Modules</strong></a><strong> to ensure your facility is reporting accordingly. </strong><br></div> | The approval of the new COVID-19 vaccines for 2023-2024 triggered a change in the NHSN surveillance definition of “up-to-date” on COVID-19 vaccine to align with the new vaccine recommendations. | |