Learn How to Navigate the AHRQ COVID-19 Resource Collection (8/21)

This video [1 minute, 29 seconds] explains how to navigate the Nursing Home COVID-19 Action Network’s resources site, find the latest news, and search for materials by topic or other filters. Audio description version 

MDS Section K Online Training: Height, Weight, & Nutritional Approaches for SNFs (8/21)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course that provides an overview of the assessment and coding of K0200: Height and Weight and K0500: Nutritional Approaches. This 30-minute course is intended for providers in Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) and is designed to be used …

Intramuscular Injections—Best Practices for Safe Vaccine Administration (8/21)

This Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) resource on best practices for safe vaccine administration is intended to support experienced vaccinators and others administering the COVID-19 vaccine to nursing home residents and staff. The Intramuscular Injections: Best Practices for Safe Vaccine Administration in Nursing Homes resource offers guidance before, during and …

Introduction to the SNF QRP Web-Based Training From CMS (8/21)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is offering a web-based training course for those who are new to the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP). This course is designed to provide a general overview of the program as well as a variety of links and resources …

HHS Office of Civil Rights Alerts Healthcare Providers Against Ransomware Attacks (6/21)

June 9, 2021 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is sharing the following alerts from the White House and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).  Organizations are encouraged to review the information below and take appropriate actions. White House Memo: What We Urge …

Cultural Competence Resources (5/21)

Disparities & Culturally Competent Care: Fostering Cultural Competence This section includes a collection of assessment tools, educational and learning materials, research articles and resources that are curated to help medical professionals and institutions provide culturally competent care and reduce health disparities. https://www.idsociety.org/covid-19-real-time-learning-network/Disparities-culturally-competent-care/ The Cultural Awareness Video Series: From Action to Change offers …

Updated Guidance for Emergency Preparedness-Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual (SOM): CMS Memo QSO-21-15-ALL (4/21)

Memo # QSO-21-15-ALL Posting Date 2021-03-26 Fiscal Year 2021 Summary Burden Reduction Final Rule Interpretive Guidelines: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is releasing interpretive guidelines and updates to Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual (SOM) as a result of the revisions of the Medicare and Medicaid …

COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Among Health Care Workers and Other Front-Line Workers (4/21)

Interim Estimates of Vaccine Effectiveness of BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 COVID-19 Vaccines in Preventing SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Health Care Personnel, First Responders, and Other Essential and Frontline Workers — Eight U.S. Locations, December 2020–March 2021   Weekly / April 2, 2021 / 70(13);495–500 Summary   What is already known about this topic? …

CMS Will Use Resident Acuity to Target Weekend Surveys for Nursing Homes With Potential Staffing Problems, and Other Staffing News From the OIG (3/21)

CMS Use of Data on Nursing Home Staffing: Progress and Opportunities To Do More (OEI-04-18-00451) The OIG has made four key recommendations related to staffing that CMS concurred with. These recommendations state that CMS should: Provide data to consumers on nurse staff turnover and tenure, as required by Federal law To …

Visiting Loved Ones in a Nursing Home – English and Spanish Graphic Available (3/21)

On March 10, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued updated guidance for nursing homes to safely expand visitation options during the COVID-19 pandemic public health emergency (PHE). Today, CMS is releasing a graphic to further explain the expanded …