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.

Updates and Resources for LTPAC

AAPACN Updates

CDC NHSN LTCF Weekly Healthcare Personnel (HCP) & Resident COVID-19 Vaccination Page UPDATED (9/22)
CDC COVID-19 Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages UPDATED (9/22)
CDC COVID-19 Infection Control Guidance Page Updated (9/22)
CMS Memo QSO-20-39-NH: Revised COVID-19 Nursing Home Visitation Guidance (9/22)
CMS QSO Memo QSO-20-38-NH: Revised COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Staff/Residents (9/22)

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

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

January 19, 2022 – COVID 19: Education for Nursing Home Healthcare Personnel
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
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 7, 2020 – Isolation and MDS Coding in LTC
April 3, 2020 – Individualized Care Plan Development Guide for Residents with COVID-19
Infection Preventionist Job Description
§483.30 Infection Control Tool

AAPACN In-Service Education Tools

Common Carriers of Infection Nursing In-Service Tool

AAPACN Articles and Podcasts

Infection Control and Emergency Preparedness

September 2, 2022 – Long-Term Effects of COVID-19
August 25, 2022 – Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)
August 11, 2022 – Omicron Variant: What You Need to Know
August 11, 2022 – COVID-19 County Check Tool: Understanding Community Transmission Levels in Your County
August 11, 2022 – Symptoms of Coronavirus
August 11, 2021 – CDC guidance on the spread of COVID-19
August 5, 2022 – Information for Clinicians on Therapeutic Options for COVID-19 Patients
July 15, 2022 – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19
June 15, 2022 – Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with High Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers
June 8, 2022 – Clinical Questions about COVID-19: Questions and Answers
May 27, 2022 – Interim Clinical Guidance for Management of Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
May 16, 2022 – Interim Guidelines for COVID-19 Antibody Testing
May 16, 2022 – Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2
May 5, 2022 – Testing Strategies for SARS-CoV-2
April 29, 2022 – Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
April 26, 2022 – SARS-CoV-2 Variant Classifications and Definitions
April 4, 2022 – How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data
April 4, 2022 – Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing
March 16, 2022 – Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19
February 17, 2022 – Considerations for Use of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing in Nursing Homes
February 10, 2022 – Contact Tracing for COVID-19
February 4, 2022 – What to Know About HIV and COVID-19
February 2, 2022 – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
January 25, 2022 – How to safely visit nursing homes (PDF)
January 20, 2022 – Reinfection of the Virus that Causes COVID-19
January 7, 2022 – Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for Nursing Homes Preparing for COVID-19
December 23, 2021 – CDC Releases Emergency Guidance for Healthcare Facilities to Prepare for Potential Omicron Surge
December 15, 2021 – Nursing Home COVID-19 Vaccination Data Dashboard
December 6, 2021 – Viral Testing Tool
November 19, 2021 – eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting for Healthcare Providers
November 12, 2021 – Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus (COVID-19) for Laboratories
November 1, 2021 – Training for Healthcare Professionals
October 28, 2021 – CDC COVID-19 Tests
October 5, 2021 – CDC’s Diagnostic Test for COVID-19 Only and Supplies
September 21, 2021 – CLIA SARS-CoV-2 Variant FAQ
August 12, 2021 – Social Media Graphic
July 22, 2021 – Communication Toolkit (COVID-19 resources available in multiple languages)
July 9, 2021 – Post-COVID Conditions: Information for Healthcare Providers
June 21, 2021 – Key OSHA standards for COVID-19
June 14, 2021 – Guidance for Healthcare Workers about COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Testing
June 2, 2021 – Ventilation
April 26, 2021 – COVID-19-Clinical-Training-and-Resources-for-HCPs
March 31, 2021 – Information for Healthcare Professionals
March 25, 2021 – FDA FAQ on Testing for SARS-CoV-2
January 15, 2021 – Nursing Home Testing Algorithm
November 30, 2020 – Assessing Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Illness
September 3, 2020 – Understanding Compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection Standard During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
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
Handwashing Video Library
Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course – (Developed with CMS)
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Long Term Care (LTC) Infection Control Worksheet – LTC Facility Self-Assessment Tool
Emergency Preparedness Webpage

Vaccination

September 2, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot
September 2, 2022 – Interim Considerations: Preparing for the Potential Management of Anaphylaxis after COVID-19 Vaccination
September 2, 2022 – Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
September 2, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
September 2, 2022 – Overview of COVID-19 Vaccines
September 2, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccines for People with Underlying Medical Conditions
September 2, 2022 – About mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
September 1, 2022 – CDC Recommends the First Updated COVID-19 Booster
August 15, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccination for Essential Workers
August 15, 2022 – Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
July 20, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccines and Severe Allergic Reactions
July 20, 2022 – Understanding Protein Subunit COVID-19 Vaccines
July 15, 2022 – Understanding mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
July 14, 2022 – Importance of COVID-19 Vaccination for Residents of Long-term Care Facilities
July 14, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccines for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby
July 14, 2022 – Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination
July 14, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-Term Care Facility Residents
July 13, 2022 – Understanding Viral Vector COVID-19 Vaccines
July 6, 2022 – COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS: 13 Common Questions & Answers Based on the Latest Data
June 23, 2022 – COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness
March 29, 2022 – CDC Recommends Additional Boosters for Certain Individuals
January 25, 2022 – COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Requirements Decision Tree Graphic (PDF)
January 19, 2022 – COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Requirements Infographic (PDF)
January 12, 2022 – Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
December 21, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkits
December 11, 2021 – Communication Resources for COVID-19 Vaccines
November 22, 2021 – How to Request a COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic On-Site or in a Retail Pharmacy Location | CDC
October 26, 2021 – Long-term Care Administrators and Managers: Options for Coordinating Access to COVID-19 Vaccines | CDC
October 18, 2021 – Workers COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
September 14, 2021 – How Jurisdictions Can Ensure COVID-19 Vaccine Access for Staff and Residents in Long-term Care Settings
September 14, 2021 – Social Media Toolkit: COVID-19 Vaccinations
March 29, 2021 – CDC Real-World Study Confirms Protective Benefits of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
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 13, 2021 – CDC Post-Vaccine Considerations for Residents
March 12, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Training Module for Healthcare Providers
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
January 22, 2021 – COVID-19 Janssen Vaccine EUA Fact Sheet for Recipients
January 13, 2021 – VAERS – FAQs on what to report

Regulations/Survey

August 21, 2022 – COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
August 18, 2022 – List of Blanket Waivers (PDF)
August 16, 2022 – Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF)
May 6, 2022 – Toolkit for States to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes (PDF)
March 10, 2022 – Nursing Home Visitation FAQ (PDF)
September 8, 2021 – Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 26, 2021 – Facility Guide to Using the COVID-19 Module
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)
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
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
March 27, 2020 – Long-Term Care Nursing Homes Telehealth and Telemedicine Tool Kit
March 27, 2020 – COVID-19 LTC-Surveyor Training

QSO Memos

September 23, 2022 – CMS Memorandum QSO-20-38-NH Interim Final Rule (IFC), CMS-3401-IFC, Additional Policy and Regulatory Revisions in Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency related to Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Testing Requirements
September 23, 2022 – CMS memorandum QSO-20-39- Nursing Home Visitation COVID-19
August 29, 2022 – QSO-22-15-NH & NLYC & LSC Update to COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Specific Providers
April 5, 2022 – QSO-22-11-ALL Revised Guidance for the Interim Final Rule – Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination
April 5, 2022 – QSO-22-09-ALL Revised Guidance for the Interim Final Rule – Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination
April 5, 2022 – QSO-22-07-ALL Revised Guidance for the Interim Final Rule – Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination
January 25, 2022 – QSO-22-10-ALL Vaccination Expectations for Surveyors Performing Federal Oversight (PDF)
January 20, 2022 – Long-Term Care and Skilled Nursing Facility Attachment A Revised
September 28, 2021 – QSO-20-41-ALL Guidance related to the Emergency Preparedness Testing Exercise Requirements- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) – Exercise Exemption based on a Facility’s Activation of their Emergency Plan
March 20, 2021 – QSO-20-20-ALL Prioritization of Survey Activities
March 10, 2021 – QSO-20-14-NH (REVISED) Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019
March 10, 2021 – QSO-20-28-NH Nursing Home Five Start Quality Rating System updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, Frequently Asked Questions and Access to Ombudsman (REVISED)
January 4, 2021 – QSO-20-31-ALL COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes
September 28, 2020 – QSO-20-30-NH Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials
August 26, 2020 – 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, 2020 – QSO-20-35-ALL Enforcement Cases Held during the Prioritization Period and Revised Survey Prioritization
June 25, 2020 – 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, 2020 – QSO-20-32-NH Release of COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
June 4, 2020 – QSO-20-23-NH Posting of Nursing Home Inspections
May 6, 2020 – QSO-20-29-NH Interim final Rue Updating Requirements for Notification of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
April 19, 2020 – QSO-20-26-NH Upcoming Requirement for Notification of COVID-19 Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes
April 13, 2020 – QSO-20-25-NH 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lont-Term Care Facility Transfer Scenarios
March 10, 2020 – QSO-20-17-ALL Guidance for use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel
March 4, 2020 – QSO-20-14-NH Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019
March 4, 2020 – QSO-20-12-ALL Suspension of survey Activities

Supplies/PPE

March 15, 2022 – Free N95 Respirator Manufacturers
February 25, 2022 – Improve How Your Mask Protects You
September 16, 2021 – Strategies for Optimizing Supply of N95 Respirators
September 13, 2021 – Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Eye Protection
August 12, 2021 – Use of Masks to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
April 26, 2021 – Safe and Proper Sharps Disposal During the COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Campaign
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
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
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
March 17, 2020 – New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces
Sequence for Putting on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Billing/MDS

August 16, 2022 – Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers (PDF)
March 9, 2022 – Medicare Provider Enrollment Relief Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (PDF)
September 15, 2021 – COVID-19 Vaccine Related Codes
September 8, 2021 – COVID-19: Using the CR Modifier and DR Condition Code
December 9, 2020 – Coverage of Monoclonal Antibody Products to Treat COVID-19 (PDF)
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
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

July 15, 2022 – Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
June 15, 2022 – Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with High Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers
June 15, 2022 – Evidence used to update the list of underlying medical conditions that increase a person’s risk of severe illness from COVID-19
June 8, 2022 – Healthcare Professionals: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
May 27, 2022 – Clinical Care Guidance
April 29, 2022 – Clinical Care Guidance for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
March 16, 2022 – Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19
July 17, 2020 – CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line LTC Staff: Closely Monitor Residents for COVID-19
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

January 21, 2022 – Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages
May 14, 2020 – COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long Term Care Facility Workers

Crisis Communication

September 14, 2021 – Communication Resources

Staff Wellness

January 22, 2021 – Coping with Stress
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 22, 2021 – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner
September 18, 2020 – Coronavirus Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes Report
September 18, 2020 – Trump Administration Actions and Commission Recommendations Response
March 18, 2020 – FAQs on Catastrophic Plan Coverage and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)