The videos are designed to give long term and post-acute care providers a national update straight from association leader Mark Parkinson and answer frequently asked provider questions.

Certain Medicare beneficiaries classified as being in observation status at hospitals and not admitted as inpatients can appeal this designation to the Medicare program.

Surveyors won’t be allowed to enter buildings for any type of survey if they are unable to meet the latest CDC guidance on Personal Protective Equipment expectations.

The mortality rate for people 80 years or older with underlying health conditions who are diagnosed with coronavirus is extremely high.

AHCA/NCAL is tackling critical issues in concert with member skilled nursing centers and federal and state health authorities, notably CMS.

The agency says it will reprioritize surveys to conduct focus about infection control for facilities that have had an infection control deficiency in the past to assure that they are in compliance with the new regulations.

In press briefing, David Gifford, MD, says full-scale infection prevention efforts must be applied, including keeping ill residents away from others and reinforcing the rule that if employees are sick, they should stay home from work.

CMS says it is issuing clearer guidance on the screening of residents, employees, and visitors to nursing facilities. The new guidance will support excluding certain visitors from facilities.

So far there have been two reported deaths in the United States from the worldwide outbreak of the virus, which acts in many ways like traditional influenza.

Providing care in SNFs and assisted living and memory care communities includes any number of priority issues, with the role of medication management ranking at or near the top of the list, LT/PAC professionals say.