A notification about the most recent county positivity rate for Barnstable County is at 5.59% and the PPE.Exchange marketplace is offering an opportunity to place a group order to access wholesale prices direct from the manufacturer.

An update on Massachusetts Department of Public Health Guidance Reopen Approach for Health Care Providers Phase 4: New Normal effective March 22, 2021, replaces and supersedes all prior reopening guidance for acute care hospitals and other health care providers.

This memorandum discusses the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) National Emphasis Program (NEP) to ensure employees in high-hazard industries are protected from contracting COVID-19, a Boston Globe story touting vaccine success in nursing homes and a reminder: Medicare Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Repayment.

An update on DPH clarification on quarantine and vaccinated new admissions and readmissions and information on MSCA virtual sessions on supporting the emotional well-being of staff.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) last week issued a report analyzing CMS’ use of nursing home staffing data. The OIG report credited CMS with taking important steps to inform consumers on nursing home staffing but offered the following recommendations to better inform consumers and improve nursing home oversight.

National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care and Quality Assurance Performance Improvement will host a call for long-term care providers on Dementia-related psychosis on Tuesday, March 23 from 1:30 to 3 pm ET.

Stories of our long term care heroes are more important than ever to share. Mass Senior Care is requesting caregiver stories of our long term care heroes which will be featured in the Mass Senior Care E-News Update and highlighted in weekly communication with lawmakers. We are interested in interviewing long term care staff of all positions that have a story to share about working in nursing facilities or long term care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 12th, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health released updated guidance on visitation conditions, communal dining, and congregate activities. Residents and staff are grateful for the opportunity to share activities and meals together; the following photos are from the member facility’s Facebook page.

CMS has released a graphic to further explain the expanded visitation options in nursing facilities titled Mom’s vaccinated: when can I visit her in the nursing home?