Facility Operations
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.
Vaccinations
- CDC Updates Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals (7/27/21)
- Invest in Trust: A Guide for Building COVID-19 Vaccine Trust and Increasing Vaccination Rates Among CNAs
- CDC Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination
- CMS QSO Memo on Nursing Home Visitation (updated 4/27/21)
- AHCA/NCAL Summary on CMS/CDC Updates in response to vaccination (4/27/21)
- Vaccine Resources Web Page
Monoclonal Antibody Treatments
- 8/24 Webinar Recording: Monoclonal Antibody Treatments in Long Term Care – Effectiveness & Options for Making These Therapeutics Available to Your Residents
- Florida Treatment Sites
- Dept. of Health Strike Team Contact Information
- Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents and Caregivers Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) OF REGEN-COVTM (casirivimab and imdevimab) For Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Overview of Direct Order Process for COVID-19 Therapeutics
- REGEN-COV EAU Guidebook (7/21)
- NIH Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies
CMS Required Testing
- CMS QSO Memo on Testing (Updated 4-27-21)
- New Nursing Facility COVID Testing FAQs (12/8/20)
- 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
- NHSN Updated with Testing Requirements Questions
- 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
- FHCA Testing Expectations & Precautionary Measures Webinar Resources (5/12)
- DOH Lab Results Call Center/ Call Center: 833-956-0323 or stateesf8.planning@flhealth.gov
Communications
FHCA Email Alerts
Click Here for Archives of FHCA Email Alerts
- 8/30/21: Virtual Train the Trainer Program for Implementing Vaccine Mandate, Update on Vaccine Mandate Webinars
- 8/24/21: Monoclonal Antibody Webinar, 8/25 CMS NH Call, 8/26-27 Hospital-NH Calls
- 8/16/21: COVID-19 Update #96: Expanded Monoclonal Antibody Access for Florida Long Term Care Residents, COVID Webinars, CLIA/Certificates of Waiver Surveys, New #GetVaccinated Handouts Help Answer Common Questions and Implement Mandates, CDC Updates Recommendations for Immunocompromised Individuals
- 8/3/21: COVID-19 Update #95: Hospital-NHs Zoom Call (8/4), Setting Up COVID Wing, Regulatory Reminders
- 7/30/21: COVID-19 Update #94: CDC Updates Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals, COVID-19 Safety Reminder
FHCA-Partner Conference Calls
Click Here for Archives of FHCA Partner Call Audio Recordings
Guidance and Resources
Visitation
- Meet My Loved One NEW
- 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
- CDC Modifies Quarantine and Visitation (3/10/21)
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
- 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)
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
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
Transfer/Admissions
- Infection Control Interfacility Transfer Form NEW
- COVID Zone Tool NEW
- “Go to the Hospital or Stay There” Decision Guide NEW
- Hospital to SNF Transfer Form (Updated 11-6-20)
- 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)
- Temporary Personal Care Attendant Program: Overview & Facility Training Materials
- 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
Personal Protective Equipment
- CDC – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for HC personnel during pandemic: (2/10/21)
- CDC Guidance for Asymptomatic HCP Who Were Exposed to Individuals with Confirmed SARS-CoV-2 Infection (3/10/21)
- PPE Resources (Staff Competency Training, Video/Posters on Proper Use, Conservation Strategies)
- CDC PPE Burn Rate Calculator
- CDC Guidance on PPE Listed as Expired
Telehealth
Financial/Reimbursement
- Health Plan Policies (Updates) NEW
- HHS General and Targeted Distribution Post-Payment Notice of Reporting Requirement (7/20/20)
- Beneficiary is Hospital Inpatient (Community Admission or SNF Readmission)
- 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
- 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 Office Hours for NHSN Enrollment Assistance Webinar Recording
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 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
- 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)
- Bureau of Public Health Laboratories
Agency for Health Care Administration
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
- CMS Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes
- Additional CMS Guidance and Resources
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Additional Resources
- COVID-19 Information for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (English / Spanish)
- Hospice in LTC Facilities Guidance
- 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
- Long Term Care Respiratory Surveillance Line List
- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health During Isolation