07/15/2020

Today's COVID-19 Report: Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Wednesday, July 15 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

ODH Announces Plans for NF Resident Testing

On an all-provider call this morning, the DeWine Administration officials announced plans for the next round of nursing home testing, this time focused on residents. The testing will largely mirror the processes used by the state and the Ohio National Guard in testing all nursing home staff, which is scheduled to conclude at the end of the month. One significant change is that the state is asking nursing homes to conduct the specimen collection rather than the National Guard.

Testing will commence in early August, following the conclusion of staff testing. Before roll-out, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will survey providers on the number of residents and other important information needed to create a statewide schedule for testing. They will also have training available to providers on the lab protocols and portals, which will be used to enter resident information in advance of testing day, as well as specimen collection, which will be done by two-person teams: one individual focused on collecting  the specimen while the other supports the resident.  

From its survey, Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will be creating a detailed schedule for all nursing homes in the state, in order to maximize lab capacity. Nursing homes will have test kits delivered, and will have 24 hours to conduct the specimen collection after receipt of the kits. It is extremely important that facilities adhere to the 24-hour timeline they are given, as any changes will cause delays in the process.

As with staff testing, nursing homes may opt out of testing if they have conducted their own testing of all residents between the dates of July 3 and August 21, by sending a letter with the aggregate test results on letterhead to the Congregate Care Unified Response Team (CCURT) mailbox. Also, as with staff who missed testing, providers will have three weeks to test any residents who are unable to be tested on the assigned testing date; these aggregate results should be sent in a letter (with letterhead) to the CCURT mailbox. Unlike staff testing, residents have the right to refuse testing.

Other issues addressed included confirming that any volunteers, contract staff, including hospices and private duty caregivers, are included in staff testing, though the nursing home is not required to conduct testing directly. ODH also confirmed that the revised order will include requirements for testing new hires as well as newly admitted residents.

The revised order has not yet been released, so stay tuned to future COVID-19 daily alerts for updates.

Nursing Home Testing Payment Policies Across the States

LeadingAge Ohio's Susan Wallace created a tool that captures how each state is handling COVID-19 testing. The tracker was featured in today's LeadingAge Need to Know.

As policies continue to shift across states and cases surge, it’s clear that a coordinated national plan is needed now more than ever. Please note, this tracker is a snapshot in time and is accurate as of July 13, 2020. Review the tracker now.

Should Facilities in High Risk Counties Halt Visitation?

Governor DeWine's recently released Ohio Public Health Advisory System, with four (4) different levels of risk, is a color-coded system designed to supplement existing statewide Orders, including the recently amended Fourth Amended Director’s Order to Limit Access to Ohio’s Nursing Homes and Similar Facilities, with Exceptions (Order), released July 2, 2020.

When determining the appropriateness of scheduling outdoor visitation for residents, facilities should use the Ohio Public Health Advisory System to assist in developing a comprehensive plan for outdoor visitation, as well as considering all implications for resident physical and mental well-being, as required in 8(a)(i) and (ii) of the Order.

For instance, during periods of high risk levels, facilities may consider limiting outdoor visitation for residents, on a case-by-case basis.  However, none of the currently identified risk levels require outdoor visitation to be completely terminated. Facilities should exercise judgment in developing policies that balance the threat of disease with the psychosocial needs of residents.

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – July 15, 2020

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured a message from the LeadingAge board chair and new tools and resources. 

Check out the full report here. 

Questions

Please send all questions to COVID19@leadingageohio.org. Additionally, members are encouraged to visit the LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 Working Group facebook group to pose questions to peers and share best practices. LeadingAge is continuing its daily calls for all members.  To participate in these daily online updates, members should register here.