05/11/2020

Today's COVID-19 Report: Monday, May 11, 2020

Monday, May 11, 2020

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Monday, May 11 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

LeadingAge Elevates NHSN Issues to CMS

LeadingAge continues to field a number of questions about reporting requirements and even more concerns about issues with enrollment with the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), which nursing homes will soon be required to use to report COVID-19 data. LeadingAge is sharing concerns with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be the body to address actual enrollment issues, LeadingAge feels it is important for CMS to understand that the process is not running smoothly and that providers want to comply but may be unable to do so for reasons beyond their control.

Please share with concerns with LeadingAge's Jodi Eyigor at jeyigor@leadingage.org.

Questions on Re-opening Salons in Nursing Homes/RCFs

In a discussion with the Ohio State Cosmetology and Barber Board, it was shared with a member that long-term care facilities can determine for themselves whether or not to reopen their salons, barbershops, and other personal care services when the state reopens such services to the public on Friday, May 15. 

Per Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Governor DeWine, we believe this advice to be incorrect. Although salons will open back up in Ohio, those services provided in a nursing home or residential care facility (RCF) will remain under the restriction orders.

Ohio has restricted access to nursing homes and RCFs as outlined in the March 17 Director's Order Amending Order to Limit Access to Ohio's Nursing Homes and Similar Facilities. These restrictions are in place due to the high risk of severe COVID outbreaks in a congregate setting. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) recommends RCFs adopt the CDC’s Preparing for COVID: Long-Term Care Facilities, Nursing Homes.

Nursing Homes and Residential Care Facilities (RCF) follow rules and regulations from numerous regulatory bodies such as the Ohio Board of Nursing and ODH. Healthcare facilities must at a minimum meet the most stringent regulatory requirement. Agencies who come into nursing homes or RCFs need to follow those regulations in addition to their own.

Members with questions may reach out to Stephanie DeWees at sdewees@leadingageohio.org.

LeadingAge Shares StoryCorps Connect Toolkit  

LeadingAge recently featured Dave Isay from StoryCorps on one of the LeadingAge daily update calls to talk about collaboration to bring StoryCorps Connect to LeadingAge member communities across the country.  

StoryCorps Connect is a new free digital platform developed to address the pressing need for connection during the coronavirus pandemic, with the goal of conducting and recording meaningful remote conversations between loved ones. LeadingAge worked with StoryCorp to create a toolkit specifically for older adults.

This resource can provided a way to help connect families with their loved ones in long-term care.

USDA COVID-19 Telehealth Service Changes

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development issued a document summarizing telehealth changes during the pandemic.The document summarizes key points regarding telehealth services, which were expanded in order to further facilitate the provision of care beyond diagnosis and treatment for COVID-19. Telehealth services can be particularly useful for individuals living in rural communities. 

Activity Professionals: Zoom Call This Week

As reported last week, LeadingAge Ohio member activity professionals are continuing to meet bi-weekly through a Zoom platform hosted by Kendal at Oberlin Director of Creative Arts Therapy/Dementia Specialist Michele Tarsitano-Amato. The next call is scheduled for this Thursday, May 14, at 12:30 PM.

Zoom Fellowship Meeting for Activity Professionals
Thursday, May 14 from 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM
Host: CreativeArtsKendal@gmail.com is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 
Join the Zoom Meeting online.
Meeting ID: 979 1175 8968

The focus of the call will be on care planning; members can send sample care plans for nursing home, assisted living and independent living around Risk for Social Isolation due to COVID19 to Jen Taylor at jtaylor@leadingageohio.org ahead of the call. Jen is compiling a member protected resource page for activity professionals.

The group will also discuss this year’s LeadingAge Ohio Art & Writing program to find a way to celebrate the gifts and talents of residents during this pandemic.   

Ohio Statistics: 24,777 Cases, 1,357 Deaths

There are 24,777 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Ohio and 1,357 confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths. A total of 4,413 people have been hospitalized, including 1,217 admissions to intensive care units. 

In-depth data can be accessed by visiting coronavirus.ohio.gov. 

Questions

Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices.