To improve the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of reporting, DPH has transitioned from a paper-based system to an electronic web-based system for the reporting of Health Care Personnel Influenza Vaccination Data for the 2017-2018 Influenza Season. Please click here to access Circular Letter: DHCQ 17-12-676 Important Change in Process to Report Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel (HCP) at Massachusetts Adult Day Health Programs, Non-Ambulatory Surgical Center Clinics, Nursing Homes and Rest Homes for the 2017-2018 Influenza Season.

On December 21, 2017 the Board of Registration in Nursing issued an Update to Required Training for Sexual and Domestic Violence Prevention. The Board of Registration in Nursing (Board) must comply with the law that requires training for health care providers on the issue of domestic and sexual violence as a condition of licensure (M.G.L. c. 112, § 264).

MassMAP will be holding regional Training and Orientation sessions for new MassMAP members as well as for staff who are not familiar with the MassMAP website. Training is for MassMAP members only. Please click here for registration information.

On December 21, 2017, the Department of Public Health Bureau of Healthcare Quality and Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management released a memo regarding the ongoing Intravenous (IV) fluid shortages and possible resources to address small-volume parenteral solutions availability concerns due to Hurricane Maria’s impact in Puerto Rico. To read the full memo, please click here.

In November of 2015, CMS released Survey & Certification Memo 16-06 (SC-Letter-16-04-Focused-Survey-Tools), which included tools that were utilized for the Focused Dementia Care Survey process.

As Mass Senior Care reported in November 2017, revisions to 105 CMR 725.000 Implementation of an Act for the Humanitarian Medical Use of Marijuana, were approved by the Public Health Council on November 8, 2017. The final regulations contain several revisions that relate to the use of medical marijuana making it more akin to the administration of prescription medication for residents and patients. The regulation does not require nursing facilities to become caregiving institutions, the choice to register as a

Mass Senior Care invites staff at member facilities to participate in various committees designed to share information on the topics of clinical quality, regulatory, human resources, finance and reimbursement and education and training. This information and feedback will assist MSCA staff with developing policy positions, prioritizing strategic initiatives and identifying educational needs and opportunities. Please view the 2018 Committee Descriptions and Schedule of Meetings. For more information, please contact Jennifer Chen, Director of Membership Engagement at jchen@maseniorcare.org.

The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) last week issued proposed revised rates for services provided by temporary nursing to licensed hospitals and nursing facilities -- 101 CMR 345/Temporary Nursing Services. The proposed amendments would establish the rate limits for temporary nursing agency services for each geographic region as purchased by hospitals and nursing facilities effective May 1, 2018. EOHHS estimates that the proposed rate limits—if all purchasers utilized the maximum rate—will result in an increase of approximately