COVID-19 Resources

Coronavirus Updates and Essential Resources for LTPAC

The American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) and its subsidiaries, the American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordination (AANAC) and the American Association of Directors of Nursing Services (AADNS), is providing the following resources and on-going updates to LTPAC providers. Please check back daily for the latest information specific to LTPAC facilities and providers.

How To Protect Your Residents and Staff

Updates and Resources for LTPAC

AAPACN Resources

AADNS and AANAC members have access to the following articles, tools, and nursing in-service education tools; however, during this health crisis, AAPACN has made these resources available to any LTPAC provider regardless of membership status.

AAPACN Tools

• October 20 – COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Screening Form
• September 3 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donning and Doffing Competency Tool
• July 21 – Return to Work Criteria for Healthcare Personnel
• June 15 – AAPACN 2020 Virtual Conference – Conversation about COVID-19 with AHCA’s Dr. David Gifford
• May 19 – Survey Binder Checklist: COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes
• April 17 – Delegation of Resident Interviews During Isolation
• April 14 – Leadership Tips to Support Employees During a Crisis
• April 10 – CMS COVID-19 Flexibilities: Nurse Aide Competency Checklist
• April 9 – Hand Hygiene Competency Tool
• April 8 – COVID 19: Screening, Cohorting, and Transmission-Based Precautions Guidance
• April 7 – Isolation and MDS Coding in LTC
• April 6 – Healthcare Personnel Surveillance Record for COVID-19
• April 3 – Resident Surveillance Record for COVID-19
• April 3 – Individualized Care Plan Development Guide for Residents with COVID-19
• April 2 – COVID 19: Education for Nursing Home Healthcare Personnel
• Infection Preventionist Job Description
• §483.30 Infection Control Tool

AAPACN In-Service Education Tools

• Common Carriers of Infection Nursing In-Service Tool
• Common Infections in Nursing Facilities Nursing In-Service Tool

AAPACN Articles and Podcasts

• Engaging Residents and Overcoming Loneliness during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• March 26 – Podcast – COVID-19 Update
• March 25 – COVID-19 Not in Your Building? 10 Keys to Limiting Spread and Impact
• Infection Surveillance: How to Beef Up Your Program
• Optimize the Infection Preventionist’s QAPI/QAA Role
• Infection Prevention and Control Audits: Start with Hand Hygiene

Infection Control and Emergency Preparedness

• November 30 – 10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans
• November 23 – Busting Myths and Misconceptions about COVID-19 Vaccination
• November 20 – Healthcare Facilities That Have Implemented COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting
• November 18 – Toolkit for Clinicians
• November 18 – Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
• November 13 – Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Laboratories
• November 13 – Late Sequelae of COVID-19
• November 13 – Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing
• November 10 – Toolkit for nursing homes using point of care devices for SARS-CoV-2 testing
• November 6 – Reporting Results of Point of Care Testing for COVID-19: A New National Healthcare Safety Network Tool for Long-term Care Facilities
• November 4 – Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF)
• November 4 – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• November 3 – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19
• November 2 – How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data
• October 27 – CDC guidance on the spread of COVID-19
• October 27 – Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• October 27 – How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data
• October 23 – Considerations for Use of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing in Nursing Homes
• October 23 – FAQ: Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program for COVID-19 Vaccination
• October 21 – Overview of Testing for COVID-19
• October 19 – Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19
• October 16 – Testing Guidelines for Nursing Homes
• October 9 – Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• October 7 – FAQs on Testing in Nursing Homes
• October 6 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Nursing Home Visitation
• September 29 – CMS Updates COVID-19 Testing Methodology for Nursing Homes
• September 21 – COVID-19 Testing Resources for Nursing Homes
• September 11 – Training for Healthcare Professionals
• September 10 – Contact Tracing for COVID-19
• September 8 – New COVID 19 Testing and Reporting Requirements (PDF)
• September 4 – Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2
• September 3 – CLIA FAQ
• September 3 – FDA FAQ on Testing for SARS-CoV-2
• September 3 – CMS FAQ on COVID-19 testing at Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Homes
• September 3 – Understanding Compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• August 28 – eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting for Healthcare Providers
• August 25 – Information for Healthcare Professionals
• August 25 – National Training Program to Strengthen Nursing Home Infection Control Practices
• August 25 – Information for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• August 24 – Assessing Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Illness
• August 21 – CDC Considerations for Interpreting Antigen Testing Results
• August 10 – Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance)
• August 5 – FAQs About COVID Testing in Skilled Nursing Facilities (PDF)
• August 1 – Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing
• July 31 – Guidance for Healthcare Workers about COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Testing
• July 29 – Preparedness Tools for Healthcare Professionals and Facilities Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• July 12 – Guidance for U.S. Healthcare Facilities about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• June 25 – Preparing for COVID-19 in the Nursing Home
• June 3 – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) or Persons Under Investigation for 2019-nCoV in Healthcare Settings
• May 19 – Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19
• April 30 – Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes
• April 28 – LTC Mini Webinar: Sparkling Surfaces: Stop COVID-19’s Spread
• April 27 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: Keep COVID-19 Out!
• April 27 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: Clean Hands – Combat COVID-19
• April 1 – Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting– Alzheimer’s Association
• March 30 – APIC Infection Prevention and Control free resources through Sept. 30 – from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology
• March 16 – COVID-19 Symptomatic Line List Template Spreadsheet – from AMDA
• March 16 – COVID-19 Facility Exposure Management – After you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 – from AMDA
• Prevent the Spread in LTC Facilities
• Handwashing Video Library
• Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course – (Developed with CMS)
• Clean Hands Count for Safe Healthcare
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Long Term Care (LTC) Infection Control Worksheet – LTC Facility Self-Assessment Tool
• Emergency Preparedness Webpage
• COVID-19 – Website
• Key OSHA standards for COVID-19

Regulations/Survey

• December 1 – COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing
• December 1 – COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers & Flexibilities for Health Care Providers (PDF)
• December 1 – Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF)
• November 10 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), CLIA Guidance During the COVID-19 Emergency (PDF)
• November 10 – Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction (PDF)
• November 6 – Long Term Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities and/or Nursing Facilities): CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19
• August 31 – Guidance for PREP Act Coverage for COVID-19 Screening Tests at Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Long-Term-Care Facilities and other Congregate Facilities
• August 25 – New Reporting and Testing Requirements for Nursing Homes, Other Providers
• July 30 – CMS and CDC announce provider reimbursement available for counseling patients to self-isolate at time of COVID-19 testing
• July 29 – Guidance to COVID-19 Module Data Entry Screen (PDF)
• July 17 – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Provider Burden Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• July 17 – Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• July 2 – How to Use NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Dashboard for Group Users
• July 2 – How to Use NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Dashboard for Facility Users
• July 2 – Guidance to Understanding Auto-populated Fields
• June 19 – Fiscal Year 2020 CARES Act Information
• June 11 – FAQs about COVID-19 Data Published by CMS
• June 11 – Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) COVID-19 Data Quality Webinar
• June 11 – Facility Guide to Using the COVID-19 Module
• June 9 – Recommendations for Reopening Facilities to Provide Non-Emergent Non-COVID-19 Health Care (PDF)
• June 4 – Nursing Home Data Release FAQs
• May 31 – COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
• May 18 – Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations Frequently Asked Questions
• April 29 – LTCF COVID-19 Module
• April 2 – Trump Administration Issues Key Recommendations to Nursing Homes, State and Local Governments
• March 27 – Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
• March 27 – COVID-19 LTC-Surveyor Training

QSO Memos

• September 28 – QSO-20-41-ALL Guidance related to the Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercise Requirements- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• September 17 – Nursing Home Visitation – COVID-19
• August 26 – QSO 20-38-NH Interim Final Rule Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-29 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements and Revised COVID-19 Focus Survey Tool
• August 26 – QSO-20-37 Interim final rule, Updating Requirements for Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 Test Results by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) Laboratories, and Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• August 17 – QSO-20-35-ALL Enforcement Cases Held during the Prioritization Period and Revised Survey Prioritization
• July 9 – QSO-20-28-NH Nursing Home Five Start Quality Rating System updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, Frequently Asked Questions and Access to Ombudsman (REVISED)
• June 25 – QSO-20-34-NH  Changes to Staffing Information and Quality Measures Posted on the Nursing Home Compare Website and Five Star Quality Rating System due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• June 4 – QSO-20-32-NH Release of COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
• June 4 – QSO-20-23-NH  Posting of Nursing Home Inspections
• June 1 – QSO-20-31-ALL COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes
• May 18 – QSO-20-30-NH  Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials
• May 6 – QSO-20-29-NH Interim final Rue Updating Requirements for Notification of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
• April 19 – QSO-20-26-NH  Upcoming Requirement for Notification of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
• April 13 – QSO-20-25-NH 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lont-Term Care Facility Transfer Scenarios
• March 23 – QSO-20-20-ALL  Prioritization of Survey Activities
• March 13 – QSO-20-14-NH (REVISED) Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019
• March 10 – QSO-20-17-ALL Guidance for use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel
• March 4 – QSO-20-14-NH Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019
• March 4 – QSO-20-12-ALL Suspension of survey Activities

Supplies/PPE

• November 23 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks
• November 23 – Strategies for Optimizing Supply of N95 Respirators
• September 16 – N95 and Other Respirators
• July 16 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE
• July 15 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Eye Protection
• April 30 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Disposable Medical Gloves
• April 30 – Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators using Contingency and Crisis Capacity Strategies
• April 27 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: PPE Lessons
• April 24 – Enforcement Guidance on Decontamination of Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• April 14 – OSHA N95 Fit Testing Guidance
• April 1 – Sample universal mask policy and FAQs – from Nebraska Medicine
• March 30 – CDC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator
• March 23 – A Master List of All of the Booze Companies Making Hand Sanitizer – The Takeout
• March 17 – New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces – from National Institutes of Health
• March 13 – Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities
• Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Billing/MDS

• August 24 – Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Informational Bulletin for Medicaid Reimbursement Strategies
• July 28 – Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF) 
• July 24 – SNF QRP COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Tip Sheet
• June 19 – Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• June 1 – COVID-19: Using the CR Modifier and DR Condition Code
• April 6 – New Video Available on Medicare Coverage and Payment of Virtual Services (expanded under 1135 waiver authority and Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act)
• April 3 – ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020
• April 1 – FY 2020 PDPM ICD-10 Mappings (ZIP) (revision posted 03-31-2020)
• April 1 – RUG-IV DLL Package V1.04.1 FINAL (ZIP)
• March 31 – JRAVEN Free MDS Software (with new PDPM grouper) and MDS Validation Utility Tool (both updated)
• March 30 – Expansion Of The Accelerated And Advance Payments Program For Providers And Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency
• March 27 – International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM); Announcement New ICD-10-CM for COVID-19
• March 27 – Guidance memo – Exceptions and Extensions for Quality Reporting and Value-based Purchasing Programs (PDF)
• March 27 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Guidance on Payment and Grace Periods, Telehealth for Private Coverage, and Prescription Drugs
• March 23 – Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 Medicare

Resident Care

• August 10 – Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions and Disposition of Patients with COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings (Interim Guidance)
• August 4 – Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
• July 30 – Key Considerations for Transferring Patients to Relief Healthcare Facilities when Responding to Community Transmission of COVID-19 in the United States
• July 17 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line LTC Staff: Closely Monitor Residents for COVID-19
• July 16 – Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• July 8 – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• June 30 – Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
• June 20 – Ten Clinical Tips on COVID-19 for Healthcare Providers Involved in Patient Care
• June 10 – Using Telehealth to Expand Access to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• May 27 – Clinical management of COVID-19
• May 19 – Considerations for Memory Care Units in Long-term Care Facilities
• May 5 – What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19
• April 14 – Managing Acute Respiratory Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advance Care Plan Tool – from AMDA
• April 11 – Optimizing Medication Management during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implementation Guide for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care – University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
• April 10 – CPR Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic – from AMDA
• April 8 – Symptom Management Support for COVID-19 in the Nursing Home – from Probari
• April 1 – Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting – Alzheimer’s Association

Workforce Planning

• July 21 – Staffing Resources
• July 17 – Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance)
• July 17 – Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages
• July 17 – Interim Guidance on Testing Healthcare Personnel for SARS-CoV-2
• July 15 – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
• May 14 – COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long Term Care Facility Workers
• May 11 – Worker Safety and Support
• Healthcare Workers and Employers (OSHA)

Crisis Communication

• April 30 – Communication Resources
• March 22 – Help Keep our Residents Safe from COVID-19 fillable letter

Staff Wellness

• May 19 –  What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19
• May 11 –  Worker Safety and Support
• May 5 –  Healthcare Personnel and First Responders: How to Cope with Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• April 14 – Self-Care Resources from The Foundation for PALTC Medicine
• March 18 – Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
• March 15 – Strategies for Mitigating the Emotional Impact of COVID-19 – from AMDA
• Mini Modules to Relieve Stress For Healthcare Workers Responding to COVID-19: Stress Management Exercise

Other COVID-19 Resources