The agency will also post COVID-positive test data weekly and will allow facilities to use data released by their state or county if the data are more recent than those posted by CMS.

A new Quality, Safety, and Oversight memo, CMS is allowing SNFs for more outdoor and indoor visits, including parameters where indoor visits are required to be permitted.

The association said it hopes providers will consider applying for the award, noting that participating in the program has many benefits, such as serving as a team-building activity to engage staff across all levels of the organization.

Providers are invited to a webinar on Sept. 18 at 12:00 p.m. (ET) with HHS and Abbot to get more information on the tests themselves, including training, and use in assisted living. communities, AHCA/NCAL says.

The final report details the commission’s assessment of the nursing home response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 186-page report contains 27 principal recommendations.

The agency defines covered employees as those who do not provide health care services, even if their services could affect the provision of health care services, such as building maintenance staff.

The new file should be used in place of the prior file in setting routine testing frequency.

Performance will be determined from National Healthcare Safety Network data submissions and audits relative to county per-capita rates. AHCA/NCAL is holding a webinar today (Sept. 8) at 1:00 p.m. ET on the subject.

A final study on vaccine distribution will provide recommendations to NIH and CDC as they consider initial allocation once a vaccine is available for use.

Eligible assisted living communities will receive 2 percent of their annual revenue from patient care and will have until Sept. 13 to begin their application.

The funds are being distributed to nursing homes in support of increased testing, staffing, and PPE needs from the Provider Relief Fund.

Until there is a vaccine or additional courses of treatment, providers must continue to take all the necessary precautions to prevent the virus from entering their buildings.

Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the program, which consists of five specific modules designed for frontline clinical staff and 10 designed for nursing home management.

The agency has issued an interim final rule with comment period that revises regulations in several areas for long term care facilities and other health care providers.

The agency has released interim guidance on rapid antigen testing for detecting COVID-19 in facilities, according to AHCA/NCAL.

In a new directive, CMS instructs states to return to the normal survey process as soon as resources allow and in accordance with their COVID-19 reopening plans.

New report shows the increase of COVID cases in U.S. nursing homes is a direct result of the major spikes in the general population of the Sun Belt region.

A majority of nursing homes are operating at a loss now, with 72 percent saying they won’t be able to sustain operations another year at the current pace.

CMS highly encourages individuals to join the call today at 1:30 p.m. (ET) via webcast.

The community spread of COVID-19 in the general population is causing a spike in new cases of the virus in SNFs.

Starting the week of Aug. 10, providers that experienced challenges receiving Provider Relief Fund payments due to change in ownership may submit their revenue information.

CMS will begin requiring, rather than recommending, that all nursing homes in states with a 5 percent positivity rate or greater test all nursing home staff each week.