Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Visit this website daily for the latest information that FHCA has to share about COVID-19. As concerns arise with the emerging coronavirus, officially named COVID-19, we are working with our state partners, including Florida Department of Health and Agency for Health Care Administration to ensure nursing centers receive necessary guidance to prevent the spread of this disease.

Communications

FHCA-Partner Conference Calls
Click Here for Archives of FHCA Partner Call Audio Recordings

FHCA Email Alerts
Click Here for Archives of FHCA Email Alerts

Guidance and Resources

Visitation

• CMS QSO Memo on Nursing Home Visitation (updated 4/27/21) NEW
• DEM Emergency Order 21-001 Lifting LTC Visitation Restrictions (3/22/21) / AHCA FAQs NEW
• CMS Revises Memo on Nursing Home Visitors (3/10/21)
• CDC Modifies Quarantine and Visitation (3/10/21) NEW
• FHCA Side-by-Side Analysis of CMS Nursing Home Visitation (Revised) and Florida Limited and Safe Reopening Emergency Order NEW
• CMS COVID-19 Holiday Recommendations
• AHCA FAQs for Emergency Order 20-11 (11/4/20)
• Florida Health Care Association Side-by-Side Comparison FDEM Emergency Order 20-009 and FDEM Emergency Order 20-011
• Emergency Order 20-009 Lifting Restrictions for Visitation to Nursing Homes, ALFs, Adult Family-care Homes, Adult Group Homes and Other LTC Facilities (9/1/20)
• Final Report of Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long Term Care Facilities
• FHCA LTC Facility Visitation Resources (Webinar Recording & Additional Tools)
• CMS CMP Grant Resources for Visitation Tools (Tents, Barriers)

Issue Reporting

• Click Here to provide FHCA with details of the issue facilities may be experiencing with guidance or directions inconsistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) infection control standards (DOH local staff, their representative, AHCA surveyor) or required testing of staff and voluntary residents by DOH Testing Teams or Test Specimen Collection Kits for in-house collections (scheduling, results, receipt of supplies).

COVID-19 Positive Cases

• FHCA Positive Case Identified: What to Expect Webinar Resources (5/14)
• Discontinuation of Transmission-based Precautions and Disposition of Patients with COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities (7/20/20)
• CDC LTCF COVID-19 Reporting Module / CDC LTCF COVID-19 Reporting Module Enrollment
• AHCA Alert: LTC and Residential Facility Family Notification of Positive Case Requirement Reminder (4/17/20)
• DOH Update on Reporting COVID-19 Cases for Health Care Providers and Facilities (4/3/20)

Cohorting/COVID-19 Units

• COVID-19 Isolation Centers (Regional Resources for COVID-19 Positive Patient Requiring Nursing Facility Level of Care) NEW
• FHCA Cohorting: Steps to Setting Up Your Facility's COVID-19 Unit Webinar Resources (5/21)
• Discontinuation of Transmission-based Precautions and Disposition of Patients with COVID-19 in Long-term Care Facilities (7/20/20)
• AHCA Guidance for Converting a Patient Room into a Temporary Airborne Infection Isolation (TAII) Room
• AHCA Office of Plans & Construction COVID-19 Guidance/Q&A
• CMS Cohorting/LTC Facility Transfer Scenarios Guidance
• Cohorting Consideration Guide (AHCA/NCAL Resource)

Testing

• Abbott BinaxNOW Training Videos & Documents
• CMS Point-of-Care Testing Frequently Asked Questions NEW
• DOH Lab Results Call Center/ Call Center: 833-956-0323 or stateesf8.planning@flhealth.gov
• DOH LTC Facility Administration Registration Flyer
• DOH How to Conduct Testing in the LTC Facility Flyer
• DOH Employee Testing Registration Flyer
• AHCA QAs Re: Emergency Rules for NH and ALF Testing
• AHCA Emergency Rule 59AER20-3 Regarding Testing & Infection Prevention and Control Purposes - Nursing Homes (5/10/20)
• AHCA Emergency Rule 59AER20-2 Regarding Testing & Infection Prevention and Control Purposes - ALFs (5/10/20)
• AHCA/NCAL Preparing for Widespread Testing Guidance
• FHCA Testing Expectations & Precautionary Measures Webinar Resources (5/12)
• CMS QSO Memo on Testing (Updated 4-27-21) NEW
• New Nursing Facility COVID Testing FAQs (12/8/20)
• Interim Final Rule
  • AHCA/NCAL Detailed Analysis
  • AHCA/NCAL Webinar Recording (AHCA/NCAL members only login)
  • AHCA/NCAL Resources to Get Started
• FDOH COVID-19 Reporting Portal Registration Factsheet 10-13-2020
• AHCA Provider Alert on Use of State Data for County Positivity Rate  (9/25/20)
• Florida Department of Health County Positivity Rates (scroll to 'Testing' section; updated weekly)
• Florida Department of Health Instructions for Reporting POC Test Results
• Abbott BinaxNOW™ Test Kits Contact Information/Training Resources
• NHSN Updated with Testing Requirements Questions
• CMS QSO Memo 20-38: Complying with 483.80(h) Testing of Staff Regulations and New F-tag (F-886) (8/26/20)
• CMS QSO Memo 20-37: NH: Requirements of Reporting by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Certified Labs (8/26/20) 
• CMS PowerPoint Presentation: New COVID 19 Testing and Reporting Requirements
• COVID-19 County-Level Positivity Rates
• CDC Considerations for Interpreting Antigen Test Results in Nursing Homes Algorithm

Hurricane Season & COVID-19

• AHCA Provider Alert with Guidance on Hurricane Season & COVID-19 Considerations (5/29/20)
• CDC Webinar Recording - 2020 Hurricane Season During COVID-19

EMS Facility Site Visits

• Dept. of Health Guidance to NHs & ALFs on EMS Facility Site Visits

Restrictions/Screening Tools

• Employee Screening Tool (MS Word / PDF) Revised 6-24-21
• Visitor Screening Tool (MS Word / PDF) Revised 6-24-21
• Screener Competency Tool
• Emergency Order 20-006 Re: Visitation Limits at Residential, Skilled Nursing and Long-term Care Facilities
• AHCA Provider FAQs on Emergency Order 20-006
• CMS Guidance RE Visitor Restrictions (3/13/20)

Transfer/Admissions

• Hospital to SNF Transfer Form (Updated 11-6-20) NEW
• SNF to Hospital Transfer Form
• Acute/Post-Acute Collaborative (Hospital-Nursing Center Virtual Meetings, Resources & More)
• FHCA Transfer and Admissions: Keys to Building a Strong Hospital -Nursing Home Partnership Webinar Resources (5/19)
• AHCA Alert: Nursing Home COVID-19 Response/Resident Transfer (5/5/20)
• CMS Cohorting/LTC Facility Transfer Scenario Guidance
• Clarification of COVID-19 Guidance Pertaining to Testing and Disposition of Hospital Patients
• Admitting Residents with Respiratory Illness

Health Care Personnel

• CDC Updated Healthcare Personnel Return to Work Criteria (4/13/20) 
• CDC Guidance on Critical Workers Implementing Safety Practices
• DOH Guidance - Return to Work Criteria for Essential with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (7/20/20) 
• Health Care Staff Travel Letter for Use During Established Curfews (DOH Ltr to Law Enforcement)
• Temporary Personal Care Attendant Program: Overview & Facility Training Materials
• AHCA Alert: Health Care Provider Background Screening (3/28/20)
• Dept. of Health Live Scan Service Providers
• Managing Stressful Conditions: Best Practice Tips 
• Healthcare Staffing Agencies (FLHealthFinder.gov - Search by Provider Type - “Health Care Services Pool”)
• CNA Competency Tool
• Sample Facility Letter Re: Essential Health Care Worker (to attach with DOH Law Enforcement letter)

Residents

• Nebulizer Treatment for COVID-19 Infected Residents with Severe Respiratory Symptoms
• AHCA/NCAL Guidance on Offering Compassionate Care/Advance Care Planning Discussions
• Recommendations for When Residents Want to Leave Building
• Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees Webinar Recording NEW
• Economic Impact Payment Guidance
• Medicaid FAQ document Re: Eligibility Implication of Stimulus Checks (#54)
• Economic Impact Payments for Social Security and SSI Beneficiaries with Representative Payees / SSA Press Release

Child Care

• Priority Childcare for First Responders/Healthcare Workers - Checklist for submitting application
• Early Learning Coalitions (local list)

Communal Dining

• AHCA/NCAL Communal Dining Guidance

Personal Protective Equipment

• CDC – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for HC personnel during pandemic: HCP working in facilities located in areas with moderate to substantial community transmission are more likely to encounter asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. If SARS-CoV-2 infection is not suspected in a patient presenting for care (based on symptom and exposure history). Eye protection should be worn during patient care encounters to ensure the eyes are also protected from exposure to respiratory secretions.

• CDC Guidance for Asymptomatic HCP Who Were Exposed to Individuals with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Following a higher-risk exposure, work restriction of asymptomatic HCP who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection in the prior 3 months and asymptomatic HCP who are fully vaccinated is not necessary.  Additional information about these scenarios, including possible exceptions, is available here and here.

• PPE Resources (Staff Competency Training, Video/Posters on Proper Use, Conservation Strategies)
• N95 Mask Decontamination for Florida Nursing Centers (Free Program Through Battelle)
• FDEM COVID-19 Emergency Requisition Request Form (Submit to Local Emergency Management Office)
• CDC PPE Burn Rate Calculator
• CDC Guidance on PPE Listed as Expired
• Contact List of Resources (PPE, Telehealth, Staffing, Hygiene Care, Laboratories, etc.)

Telehealth

• CMS Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
• CMS Q&A Video on Telehealth

Financial/Reimbursement

• HHS General and Targeted Distribution Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirement (7/20/20)
• Beneficiary is Hospital Inpatient (Community Admission or SNF Readmission)  
• Beneficiary Admission From Community, ER, or Hospital Observation Stay  
• Beneficiary is SNF Long Term Care Resident (Skill-in-Place)  
• CMS SNF Medicare Part A Coverage Waiver Guidance
• CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Website / Attestation Portal / FAQs on Provider Relief Fund
• Agency for Health Care Administration Medicaid Alerts & FAQs
• Emergency Order AHCA 20-2002 to Suspend Nursing Home and Intermediate Care Facility Assessment Payments (4/15/20)
• Florida Medicaid Alert: Medicaid Provider Enrollment 6-Month Revalidation Extension (4/15/20)
• CMS FAQ on Medicare Fee-for-Service
• COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)for State Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Agencies
• Medicare Accelerated and Advanced Payment FAQs

Communication Tools

• Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Application Template - Communicative Technology Request
• Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Application for Communicative Technology Request Frequently Asked Questions
• Crisis Communications Webinar Recording, Sample Family Communications, Media Resources
• CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Frontline Long-term Care Staff (YouTube Video Series)
• Dept. of Elder Affairs Project VITAL - Virtual Technology for LTC Residents to Help Mitigate the Effects of Social Isolation

Employer Guides

• Applicability of Paid-Leave Provisions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
• Addressing the Coronavirus Outbreak – An Employers Guide
• Additional Employment Resources (Members Only)

Regulatory Updates

National Healthcare Safety Network Reporting

• CDC National Health Safey Network (NHSN) System COVID-19 Module
• Point of Care Testing NHSN Reporting Requirements -  Upgrade from Level 1 to Level 3 NEW
• Alliant Quality NHSN ShopTalk Video Shorts
• Alliant Quality Tips for NHSN Reporting
• Alliant Quality Office Hours for NHSN Enrollment Assistance Webinar Recording
• FHCA COVID-19 Alert with NHSN Reporting Updates

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
COCA Facebook Page (check frequently for informative live stream meetings)

• CDC Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19
• CDC Guidance Re: Nursing Home Notifications to State/Local Health Dept.
• CDC Guidance on Critical Workers Implementing Safety Practices
• Updated CDC Guidance on Use of Masks, Gowns and Face Shields in Crisis Shortages
• CDC Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in LTC Facilities
• CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Preparedness Checklist for Nursing Homes and other Long-Term Care Settings
• Additional CDC Guidance and Resources

Florida Department of Health

• Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Updates
• DOH Guidance for Assisted Living Communities
• Health Care Practitioner Reporting Guidelines for Reportable Diseases and Conditions in Florida
• Clinical Screening Tool for Identifying Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 (5/11/20)
• Enhanced Surveillance and Preparedness for COVID-19 Reporting for Healthcare Providers
• Florida Department of Health (Florida Health) Contact Information For Providers to Report Diseases and Conditions
• Health Care Coalitions in Florida (The purpose of HCCs is to ensure that local providers and other health care partners plan collaboratively for the risks facing the health care community and identify available local resources)
• Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Toolkit (infographics, guidance)
• Bureau of Public Health Laboratories

Agency for Health Care Administration

All nursing centers and assisted living facilities should be reporting into the Emergency Status System by 10:00 a.m. EST daily, including weekends, until further notice.

• AHCA COVID-19 web page
• AHCA Onsite Visit Form (8/6/20) NEW
• AHCA Provider Alert - Facility Site Visits (3/28/20)
• AHCA Provider Alert with Guidance on Hurricane Season & COVID-19 Considerations (5/29/20)
• Emergency Status System
• AHCA’s Emergency Status System: What’s New & What Facilities Need to Know Webinar (5/27 at 11 AM EST)
• COVID-19 Emergency Status System Resources
• AHCA ESS Reporting Updates (5/13/20)
• LTC Facility Additional Info Guidance Document
• AHCA ESS Who to Contact for Assistance
• Preadmission Screening and Resident Reviews (All Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) processes may be postponed until further notice by the Agency)
• FEDERAL SECTION 1135 WAIVER
• Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Policy Transmittal: 2020-12
• Novel Coronavirus Update for Health Care Facilities and Providers

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

• CMS Current Emergencies Website
• CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training for Nursing Homes
• CMS How to Obtain a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Waiver NEW
• CMS COVID-19 Stakeholder Call and Podcast Transcripts
• Alliant Quality COVID-19 Survey Readiness Booklet
• CMS Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes
• CMS QSO-20-28 NH Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, and Frequently Asked Questions (4/24/20)
• CMS Upcoming Requirements for Notification of Confirmed COVID-19 (or COVID-19 Persons under Investigation) Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes (4/19/20)
• CMS Long Term Care Facility Guidance (4/2/20)
• CMS COVID-19 Self-Assessment Infection Control Tool (developed with CDC) / American Health Care Association Action Brief on COVID-19 Infection Control Focused Surveys
• CMS Prioritization of Survey Activities (QSO-20-20-All, 3/23/20)
• CMS Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Nomes (QSO-20-14 NH Revised 3/13/20)
• CMS Waivers of Three-Day Stay and Spell of Illness (3/13/2020)
• CMS Suspension of Survey Activities (QSO-20-12 All 3/4/20)
• Additional CMS Guidance and Resources

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Respiratory Protection Guidance for the Employers of Those Working in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, and Other Long Term Care Facilities during the COVID-19 Pandemic NEW
• Temporary Enforcement Guidance – Tight-Fitting Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) Used During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• Respiratory ​Protection Plan Template​
• Respiratory Protection Standard (29.C.F.R. 1910.134)
• OSHA Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 Reporting Obligations
• Template Letter in Response to OSHA Inquiries 
• COVID-19 Guidance in Consideration of OSHA Obligations When PPE is Critically Low or Unavailable
• COVID-19 Recommendations for N95 Respirator Shortages Based on OSHA and CDC Guidance
• OSHA Revised Policies for Enforcing OSHA Requirements for COVID-19
• OSHA COVID-19 Resources (Including Interim Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases and Response Plan)

National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (Project ECHO)

• National Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network (Project ECHO)
• Alliant Quality - Florida Hub
• UMASS - Florida Hub

Florida Board of Nursing

• DOH Emergency Order 20-008 - Extends Professional Licensure Renewal through July 31. 2020 (5/28/20)
• DOH Emergency Order Re License Renewal Expiration

Florida Board of Pharmacy

• Florida Board of Pharmacy Suspends Requirement of Onsite Inspections by Consultant Pharmacist

Additional Resources

• ASPR COVID-19 Considerations for Long-Term Care Facilities (Sept. 2020)
• COVID-19 Information for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (English / Spanish)
• FDA Food Service Safety Practices (4/21/20)
• Hospice in LTC Facilities Guidance
• FMDA Stakeholders Meeting Video - Preparing for the COVID-19 Surge in Florida
• Resident Laundry Guidance with COVID-19
• Best Practices for Retail Food Stores, Restaurants, and Food Pick-Up and Delivery Services During the COVID 19 Pandemic
• EPA-Registered Disinfectant Products (Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses, meaning they are one of the easiest types to kill with appropriate disinfectants)
• Washington Nursing Home COVID-19 Outbreak: Lessons Learned
• AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus Resources
• AHCA/NCAL Coronavirus Webinar Recording (Mar. 3, 2020)
• The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA) Interim Recommendations for Post-Acute & LTC Facilities (Feb. 28, 2020)
• Long Term Care Respiratory Surveillance Line List
• Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Isolation