CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will release a new Point of Care (POC) Laboratory Reporting Pathway within the NHSN LTC COVID-19 Module on October 15, 2020. The new Pathway will enable CMS-certified nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities, to meet the Department of Health and Human Services’ requirement to report SARS-CoV-2 point-of-care antigen test data, and other on-site COVID-19 laboratory testing data, to appropriate federal and state health authorities.

When a student at a local high school recently tested positive for COVID-19, Bill Bogdanovich, President and CEO of Broad Reach Healthcare in Chatham and President of the Mass Senior Care Foundation, quickly mobilized to help support a testing clinic in town.

The Department of Health, Division of Health Care Quality, Facility Licensure and Certification has provided the following updated contacts for the Regional Managers. Nursing homes are encouraged to reach out to the Regional Manager in their area for questions related to any DPH survey.

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Stephen Esdale, a former MSCA Board Member and past Board Chairman for the American College of Health Care Administrators. Stephen began his career as a nursing home administrator and served as the Vice President of the nursing home division of the Flatley Company for many years.

As we prepare for a potential resurgence of COVID-19 this fall and winter, it is critically important for all long-term care workers to protect themselves from becoming sick with the flu by getting the flu vaccine. As we well know, staff in long-term care facilities are at an increased risk of acquiring the flu and annual flu vaccination of both residents and staff are essential to preventing outbreaks.

Announcements on AHCA/NCAL hosting an “office hour" to answer questions about the new Department of Labor coronavirus leave requirements, influenza vaccination data reporting webinars and upcoming Mass Senior Care Association MDS and QAPI webinar series .

Discusses CDC recent announcement of a new POC Laboratory Reporting Pathway; ECHO National Nursing Home COVID-19 Webinar on Coronavirus Testing, 1 Day Remaining to File Final Filing for the MassHealth COVID-19 Supplemental Payment; DPH Weekly Call Reminder .

The Massachusetts DPH Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality has updated the memo on Anterior Nares (Nasal Swab) Specimen Collection by Unlicensed Healthcare Personnel.