WHO Therapeutics and COVID-19: Living Guideline Updated

WHO has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 therapeutics, with revised recommendations for patients with non-severe COVID-19. This is the 13th update to these guidelines. Updated risk rates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19 The guidance includes updated risk rates for hospital admission in patients with non-severe COVID-19. The …

WHO COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines Updated

Overview from the World Health Organization The Infection prevention and control in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a living guideline consolidates technical guidance developed and published during the COVID-19 pandemic into evidence-informed recommendations for infection prevention and control (IPC). This living guideline is available both online and PDF.  This version of the living …

CDC: Disparities in COVID-19 Vaccination Status Among LTC Residents — USA, Oct. 31, 2022–May 7, 2023

Weekly / October 6, 2023 / 72(40);1095–1098 Summary What is already known about this topic? Long-term care (LTC) facility residents are vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection because of their advanced age, medical complexity, and congregate living situation; vaccination is an effective means for reducing COVID-19 incidence in this population. What is added …

TIP: CDC to Change the NHSN Definition of “Up to Date”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will change the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surveillance definition of “up to date” for reporting weeks beginning on Sept. 25, 2023, to align with new (pending) ACIP recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. Once the new vaccine and new (pending) vaccination recommendations are applied …

EXPIRED: CMS QSO Memo QSO-23-02-ALL: Revised Guidance for COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Requirements

Memo # QSO-23-02-ALL (EXPIRED) Posting Date 2023-07-25 Fiscal Year 2023 EXPIRATION INFORMATION: CMS PUBLISHED A FINAL RULE WHICH ENDED THE REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO STAFF VACCINATION FOR ALL PROVIDER TYPES, EFFECTIVE ON 8/05/23. ADDITIONALLY, THIS RULE STATES THAT CMS WILL NOT BE ENFORCING THE STAFF VACCINATION PROVISIONS BETWEEN 6/05/23 AND 8/04/23. …

Q&A: Do we still need to quarantine non-vaccinated residents?

Question: Do we still need to quarantine non-vaccinated residents? Answer from Kellie VanRee, RN, LNHA: This document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) | CDC, section 2 under the second bolded header states, “In general, asymptomatic patients do not …

TIP: The COVID-19 PHE Ended – Tools and Resources

The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) on May 11, 2023, has marked the end of many waivers, including the 3-day qualifying hospital stay and benefit period waivers. For many new nurse assessment coordinators (NACs), this may be their first experience working outside the allowances of the waivers. …

TIP: CMS Releases Final Rule Lifting Vaccine Requirements for Healthcare Personnel

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule on May 31, 2023, withdrawing the federal requirement of COVID-19 vaccinations for healthcare personnel (HCP). Although the requirement is being lifted, CMS continues to encourage staff vaccination through other programs such as the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting …

COVID-19 Healthcare Staff Vaccination Final Rule

From MLN Connects: CMS finalized staff education requirements while ending the COVID-19 staff vaccination requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. These provisions were included in the “COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements for Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual …