COVID-19 Resources

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COVID-19 Updates & Essential Resources for PAC

The American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN) 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 Updates

TIP: OSHA Releases New Standard to Mitigate COVID-19 Spread
CMS Will Impose CMPs Effective the Week of June 21 re: Failure to Meet COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Requirements
Occupational Exposure to COVID-19; OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard Interim Final Rule (6/21)
FY 2022 SNF PPS Proposed Rule Comments: AAPACN Highlights Impact of COVID-19 on SNFs
COVID-19 Diagnosis Coding Guidance Timeline for Auditing Claims Diagnosis Coding Tool

AAPACN Resources

AAPACN 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.

AMDA and AAPACN COVID-19 Vaccine Tools NEW

December 9, 2020 – COVID-19 Vaccine: Answers to Your Questions (Educational PowerPoint Presentation for Staff and Residents)
December 9, 2020 – COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Education: A Guide for Medical Directors
December 9, 2020 – Letter from Medical Director to Residents and Families About the COVID-19 Vaccines
December 9, 2020 – Strategies for Improving Staff and Resident Confidence in the COVID-19 Vaccine
December 9, 2020 – Questions and Answers about the COVID-19 Vaccine for PALTC Staff, Patients, Residents and Family Members

AAPACN Tools

June 8, 2021 – Return to Work Criteria for Healthcare Personnel
February 23, 2021 – COVID-19 Healthcare Personnel Screening Form
September 3, 2020 – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Donning and Doffing Competency Tool
June 15, 2020 – AAPACN 2020 Virtual Conference – Conversation about COVID-19 with AHCA’s Dr. David Gifford
May 19, 2020 – Survey Binder Checklist: COVID-19 Focused Survey for Nursing Homes
April 17, 2020 – Delegation of Resident Interviews During Isolation
April 14, 2020 – Leadership Tips to Support Employees During a Crisis
April 10, 2020 – CMS COVID-19 Flexibilities: Nurse Aide Competency Checklist
April 9, 2020 – Hand Hygiene Competency Tool
April 8, 2020 – COVID 19: Screening, Cohorting, and Transmission-Based Precautions Guidance
April 7, 2020 – Isolation and MDS Coding in LTC
April 6, 2020 – Healthcare Personnel Surveillance Record for COVID-19
April 3, 2020 – Resident Surveillance Record for COVID-19
April 3, 2020 – Individualized Care Plan Development Guide for Residents with COVID-19
April 2, 2020 – COVID 19: Education for Nursing Home Healthcare Personnel
Infection Preventionist Job Description
§483.30 Infection Control Tool

AAPACN In-Service Education Tools

AAPACN Articles and Podcasts

Infection Control and Emergency Preparedness

June 21, 2021 – Key OSHA standards for COVID-19
June 15, 2021 – SARS-CoV-2 Variants
June 14, 2021 – Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2
June 14, 2021 – Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2
June 14, 2020 – Guidance for Healthcare Workers about COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Testing
June 2, 2021 – Discontinuation of Transmission-Based Precautions and Disposition of Patients with COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings (Interim Guidance)
June 2, 2021 – Ventilation
May 28, 2021 – Healthcare Facilities That Have Implemented COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting
May 26, 2021 – Training for Healthcare Professionals
May 20, 2021 – Considerations for Events and Gatherings
May 13, 2020 – CDC guidance on the spread of COVID-19
April 27, 2021 – Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination
April 26, 2021 – COVID-19-Clinical-Training-and-Resources-for-HCPs
April 24, 2021 – Reporting COVID-19 Vaccination Data for Long-Term Care Facilities
April 20, 2021 – COVID-19 Electronic Laboratory Reporting Implementation by State
April 17, 2020 – Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
April 8, 2021 – Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
March 31, 2021 – Information for Healthcare Professionals
March 30, 2021 – SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests
March 29, 2021 – Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes
March 29, 2021 – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes
March 25, 2021 – FDA FAQ on Testing for SARS-CoV-2
March 19, 2021 – CLIA SARS-CoV-2 Variant FAQ
March 17, 2021 – Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing
March 17, 2021 – Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing
March 16, 2021 – Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19
March 10, 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Laboratories
March 4, 2021 – Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
February 26, 2021 – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19
February 25, 2021 – Contact Tracing for COVID-19
February 23, 2021 – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
February 22, 2021 – Symptoms of Coronavirus
February 19, 2021 – eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting for Healthcare Providers
February 16, 2021 – Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
February 16, 2021– Criteria for Return to Work for Healthcare Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 (Interim Guidance)
February 9, 2021 – Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist For Transport and Arrival of Patients With Confirmed or Possible COVID-19
February 8, 2021 – Preparedness Tools for Healthcare Professionals and Facilities Responding to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
February 8, 2021 – Facility Planning and Operations for COVID-19
February 8, 2021 – Guidance for U.S. Healthcare Facilities about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
February 1, 2021 – What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
January 28, 2021 – Emerging SARS-CoV-2 Variants
January 28 – Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing
January 15, 2021 – Nursing Home Testing Algorithm
January 14, 2021 – Toolkit for Worker Safety & Support
January 7, 2021 – Testing Guidelines for Nursing Homes
January 7, 2021 – Considerations for Use of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing in Nursing Homes
December 29, 2020 – Toolkit for Clinicians
December 26, 2020 – How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data
December 7, 2020 – Point of Care Antigen Testing FAQ
December 7, 2020 – COVID Testing FAQs for Nursing Homes
December 4, 2020 – Information for Clinicians on Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients
November 30, 2020 – Assessing Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Illness
November 10, 2020 – Toolkit for nursing homes using point of care devices for SARS-CoV-2 testing
November 6, 2020 – Reporting Results of Point of Care Testing for COVID-19: A New National Healthcare Safety Network Tool for Long-term Care Facilities
September 29, 2020 – CMS Updates COVID-19 Testing Methodology for Nursing Homes
September 21, 2020 – COVID-19 Testing Resources for Nursing Homes
September 8, 2020 – New COVID 19 Testing and Reporting Requirements
September 3, 2020 – CMS FAQ on COVID-19 testing at Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Homes
September 3, 2020 – Understanding Compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
August 25, 2020 – Information for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
August 21, 2020 – CDC Considerations for Interpreting Antigen Testing Results
August 5, 2020 – FAQs About COVID Testing in Skilled Nursing Facilities (PDF)
June 30, 2020 – 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
April 28, 2020 – LTC Mini Webinar: Sparkling Surfaces: Stop COVID-19’s Spread
April 27, 2020 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: Keep COVID-19 Out!
April 27, 2020 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: Clean Hands – Combat COVID-19
April 1, 2020 – Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting– Alzheimer’s Association
March 16, 2020 – COVID-19 Symptomatic Line List Template Spreadsheet – from AMDA
March 16, 2020 – COVID-19 Facility Exposure Management – After you have a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 – from AMDA
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

Vaccination

June 17, 2021 – Busting Myths and Misconceptions about COVID-19 Vaccination
June 16, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Underlying Medical Conditions
June 15, 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
June 10, 2021 – Communication Resources for COVID-19 Vaccines
June 10, 2021 – Social Media Toolkit: COVID-19 Vaccinations
June 2, 2021 – CDC Post-Vaccine Considerations for Healthcare Personnel
June 1, 2021 – Information About Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
May 27, 2021 – The Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Healthcare Personnel
May 27, 2021 – Information about the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
May 26, 2021 – Moderna Vaccine Information
May 25, 2021 – Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
May 25, 2021 – What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
May 20, 2021 – Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
April 30, 2021 – Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Residents of Long-term Care Facilities
April 13, 2021 – Understanding Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines
April 8, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkits
March 29, 2021 – CDC Real-World Study Confirms Protective Benefits of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
March 29, 2021 – EARLY RELEASE: 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
March 26, 2021 – Vaccines
March 24, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Webinar Series
March 24, 2021 – Real-World COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness in Healthcare Workers
March 24, 2021 – Vaccinating Dialysis Patients and Healthcare Personnel
March 19, 2021 – Long-Term Care Facilities COVID-19 Vaccination
March 19, 2021 – 10 Things Healthcare Professionals Need to Know about U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Plans
March 13, 2021 – CDC Post-Vaccine Considerations for Residents
March 12, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Training Module for Healthcare Providers
March 5, 2021 – Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
March 4, 2021 – Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
March 2, 2021 – Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) Questions
March 1, 2021 – Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines
February 26, 2021 – COVID-19 vaccination website for healthcare professionals
February 22, 2021 – Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine webpage
February 9, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccination Intent, Perceptions, and Reasons for Not Vaccinating Among Groups Prioritized for Early Vaccination – United States, September and December 2020
January 29, 2021 – Allergic Reactions Including Anaphylaxis After Receipt of the First Dose of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine – United States, December 21, 2020-January 10, 2021
January 22, 2021 – COVID-19 Janssen Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients
January 15, 2021 – Allergic Reactions Including Anaphylaxis After Receipt of the First Dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine – United States, December 14-23, 2020
January 13, 2021 – VAERS – FAQs on what to report
January 5, 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination in Long-Term Care Facilities
December 21, 2020 – COVID-19 Vaccination Communication Toolkit

Regulations/Survey

June 21, 2021 – Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF)
June 6, 2021 – COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
May 5, 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF)
March 26, 2021 – Facility Guide to Using the COVID-19 Module
March 15, 2021 – CMS: Mom’s Vaccinated When Can I Visit Her Nursing Home
March 15, 2021 – Nursing Home Visitation Infographic (Spanish) (PDF)
March 10, 2021 – FAQs About Visitation Considerations for Nursing Home Residents
February 19, 2021 – COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers & Flexibilities for Health Care Providers (PDF)
January 7, 2021 – COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Billing
November 10, 2020 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), CLIA Guidance During the COVID-19 Emergency (PDF)
November 10, 2020 – Medicare Monoclonal Antibody COVID-19 Infusion Program Instruction (PDF)
November 9, 2020 – Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
August 31, 2020 – 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, 2020 – New Reporting and Testing Requirements for Nursing Homes, Other Providers
July 30, 2020 – CMS and CDC announce provider reimbursement available for counseling patients to self-isolate at time of COVID-19 testing
July 29, 2020 – Guidance to COVID-19 Module Data Entry Screen (PDF)
July 17, 2020 – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Provider Burden Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
July 2, 2020 – How to Use NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Dashboard for Group Users
July 2, 2020 – How to Use NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module Dashboard for Facility Users
July 2, 2020 – Guidance to Understanding Auto-populated Fields
June 19, 2020 – Fiscal Year 2020 CARES Act Information
June 11, 2020 – FAQs about COVID-19 Data Published by CMS
June 11, 2020 – Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF) COVID-19 Data Quality Webinar
June 9, 2020 – Recommendations for Reopening Facilities to Provide Non-Emergent Non-COVID-19 Health Care (PDF)
June 4, 2020 – Nursing Home Data Release FAQs
May 31, 2020 – COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
May 18, 2020 – Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations Frequently Asked Questions
April 2, 2020 – Trump Administration Issues Key Recommendations to Nursing Homes, State and Local Governments
March 27, 2020 – Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
March 27, 2020 – COVID-19 LTC-Surveyor Training

QSO Memos

Supplies/PPE

April 26, 2021 – Safe and Proper Sharps Disposal During the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign
April 9, 2021 – Strategies for Optimizing Supply of N95 Respirators
April 6, 2021 – Improve How Your Mask Protects You
April 6, 2021 – Improve the Fit and Filtration of Your Mask to Reduce the Spread of COVID-19
March 30, 2021 – Strategies for Sharps Disposal Container Use During Supply Shortages
March 24, 2021 – CDC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator
March 8, 2021 – Sample universal mask policy and FAQs
February 19, 2021 – Maximizing Fit for Cloth and Medical Procedure Masks to Improve Performance and Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Transmission and Exposure, 2021
February 16, 2021 – Use of Masks to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
January 21, 2021 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Isolation Gowns
December 29, 2020 – Summary for Healthcare Facilities: Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE during Shortages
December 23, 2020 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Disposable Medical Gloves
December 22, 2020 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Eye Protection
November 23, 2020 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks
September 16, 2020 – N95 and Other Respirators
July 16, 2020 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of PPE
April 27, 2020 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: PPE Lessons
April 24, 2020 – Enforcement Guidance on Decontamination of Filtering Facepiece Respirators in Healthcare During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
April 8, 2020 – OSHA N95 Fit Testing Guidance
March 17, 2020 – New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces
Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Billing/MDS

March 10, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Related Codes
March 5, 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF)
January 26, 2021 – International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM); Announcement New ICD-10-CM for COVID-19
December 9, 2020 – Coverage of Monoclonal Antibody Products to Treat COVID-19 (PDF)
November 9, 2020 – COVID-19: Using the CR Modifier and DR Condition Code
October 8, 2020 – Expansion Of The Accelerated And Advance Payments Program For Providers And Suppliers During COVID-19 Emergency
August 24, 2020 – Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Informational Bulletin for Medicaid Reimbursement Strategies
July 24, 2020 – SNF QRP COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) Tip Sheet
April 3, 2020 – ICD-10-CM Official Coding and Reporting Guidelines April 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020
March 27, 2020 – Guidance memo – Exceptions and Extensions for Quality Reporting and Value-based Purchasing Programs (PDF)
March 27, 2020 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Guidance on Payment and Grace Periods, Telehealth for Private Coverage, and Prescription Drugs
March 23, 2020 – Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19 Medicare

Resident Care

May 17, 2021 – Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19
May 13, 2021 – Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with High Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers
May 12, 2021 – Evidence used to update the list of underlying medical conditions that increase a person’s risk of severe illness from COVID-19
April 17, 2021 – Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 4, 2021 – Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
February 26, 2021 – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
February 16, 2021 – Clinical Care Guidance
January 25, 2021 – Clinical management of COVID-19
July 30, 2020 – Key Considerations for Transferring Patients to Relief Healthcare Facilities when Responding to Community Transmission of COVID-19 in the United States
July 17, 2020 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line LTC Staff: Closely Monitor Residents for COVID-19
June 10, 2020 – Using Telehealth to Expand Access to Essential Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 12, 2020 – Considerations for Memory Care Units in Long-term Care Facilities
April 14, 2020 – Managing Acute Respiratory Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advance Care Plan Tool
April 10, 2020 – CPR Guidance During the COVID-19 Pandemic
April 5, 2020 – Symptom Management Support for COVID-19 in the Nursing Home
April 1, 2020 – Emergency Preparedness: Caring for persons living with dementia in a long-term or community-based care setting

Workforce Planning

June 21, 2021 – Staffing Resources
March 10, 2021 – Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages
May 14, 2020 – COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long Term Care Facility Workers

Crisis Communication

November 6, 2020 – Communication Resources
March 22, 2020 – Help Keep our Residents Safe from COVID-19 fillable letter

Staff Wellness

January 22, 2021 – Coping with Stress
December 23, 2020 – Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
December 16, 2020 – Healthcare Personnel and First Responders: How to Cope with Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
May 19, 2020 – What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19
April 14, 2020 – Self-Care Resources from The Foundation for PALTC Medicine
March 18, 2020 – Mental Health Considerations during COVID-19 Outbreak
March 15, 2020 – Strategies for Mitigating the Emotional Impact of COVID-19
Mini Modules to Relieve Stress For Healthcare Workers Responding to COVID-19: Stress Management Exercise

Other COVID-19 Resources

March 29, 2021 – Downloadable Videos
March 22, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner
March, 2021 – Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF)
September 29, 2020 – COVID-19: Considerations, Strategies, and Resources for Crisis Standards of Care in Post-Acute and Long-Term Care (PALTC) Facilities
September 18, 2020 – Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes Report
September 18, 2020 – Trump Administration Actions and Commission Recommendations Response
May 6, 2020 – Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 and PALTC
March 18, 2020 – FAQs on Catastrophic Plan Coverage and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)