09/14/2020

Today's COVID-19 Report: Monday, September 14, 2020

Monday, September 14, 2020

Here are the latest need-to-know updates for Monday, September 14, 2020 regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

BD investigates false positives; steps to take

In last week’s edition of the COVID-19 Daily Report, LeadingAge Ohio noted that a member had alerted us to a resident who had received a positive COVID-19 antigen test result from their recently-received BD device, which was later deemed a false positive after subsequent tests using the PCR test.

Since then, this issue has been elevated to the national level, with LeadingAge and AHCA having identified several other instances nationwide of false positives, and the leadership at BD sprang into action to identify the issues, which can have far-reaching effects for residents and providers alike. LeadingAge and AHCA are coordinating efforts with BD and federal officials to better understand the problem. Both are working diligently to investigate these preliminary reports. 

LeadingAge offers the following guidance for providers:

• If you suspect a false positive using either the BD or Quidel devices:
• Contact LeadingAge Ohio so we can link you to the individuals involved in advocacy on this issue and provide you with supportive resources.
• Notify the Ohio Department of Health by emailing CCURT@odh.ohio.gov (an email address specific to POC testing may be provided in the future);
• Residents should be placed into transmission-based precautions and moved to a single room if possible;
• Residents should not be moved to a COVID-19 (+) or cohorted with a known positive resident until confirmation testing with PCR is obtained.
• LeadingAge has also developed a survey to determine the extent of the problem. Members should complete this survey by midnight TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 15.
• Members should continue to use these POC tests, but we encourage members to follow the CDC guidance and algorithm on when to conduct confirmation testing of positive antigen tests. We also would encourage members to conduct confirmation testing with PCR test in other situations not covered by CDC guidance where asymptomatic residents or staff test positive with the antigen tests given the recent reports of false positives. 
•  BD has set up special direct number for providers to call ONLY about false positives
• Call Sara Lewis at (207) 522-7563 only for providers who experience multiple false positives (note: This number will likely be changed in the next few days); or
• email BD at Technical_Services@bd.com  
• BD has set up an investigation team. Among other activities, the team is conducting site visits to nursing homes with multiple false positives in several states. The team expects to have preliminary results by early this week.
• BD offers this microsite and these training webinars which we encourage members to review if they are having concerns with accuracy to make sure they are following all the instructions correctly.

The LeadingAge Ohio COVID-19 inbox continues to serve as a clearinghouse for questions, with most emails responded to within 24 hours. The current challenges with false positives using POC devices would not have been so quickly detected had providers not contacted state associations, who quickly relayed it to regulators and other leaders.  

Ohio Renal Association offering interactive virtual program

Ohio Renal Association (ORA) presents an COVID-19: The Challenge in Dialysis and the Lessons Learned and Best Practices Moving Forward taking place Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 10:00 am.

Some topics during this webinar include:

• Ohio's policy response to the pandemic
• Learn about the COVID experience and the role of IPRO (QIN-QIO for Ohio)
• Long term care providers will discuss how they navigated the Coronavirus in their Ohio facilities and with their dialysis patients who were transported to and from dialysis facilities
• Long term care providers will discuss how they navigated the Coronavirus in their Ohio facilities and with their dialysis patients who were transported to and from dialysis facilities.

For additional details, including cost and possible CE opportunities, please click here.

Hospice modified election statement and addendum requirements

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) was approached regarding the modified election statement and election statement addendum requirements that go into effect on October 1, 2020. There has been great concern over the short amount of time before the effective date and guidance on exactly how CMS and its contractors would hold hospices accountable for compliance with the new requirements.

Today, CMS confirmed that the only financial penalty that should be imposed for the new condition of payment is when an addendum has been requested and there is not evidence in the medical record of the addendum being provided to the beneficiary/legal representative. CMS, the MACs and other reviewers will be looking for evidence on whether the addendum was requested, and if it was, evidence that the addendum was provided to the beneficiary/legal representative and that the beneficiary/legal representative signed the document. CMS will not be looking to determine if the addendum was provided within the required number of days or if all content requirements are met at this time.

CMS has stated in comments that if the beneficiary/legal representative refuse to sign the addendum, the hospice should explain that signature is simply an acknowledgement of receipt and not indication of agreement with the contents of the addendum. If beneficiary/legal representative still refuse to sign, the hospice should document this in the record. If there is record of the addendum being requested and no record of it being provided, there is a financial penalty to the hospice: the days of hospice care impacted will not be covered.

There are still outstanding questions about the modified election statement and addendum and the Immediate Advocacy process to be utilized should a beneficiary/legal representative contact the QIO with concerns about the addendum. However, providers will be relieved to know that there are not financial penalties as anticipated.

LeadingAge Ohio awards program nomination process now open

As we continue to navigate challenges posed by the pandemic, LeadingAge Ohio knows there are some amazing stories and examples of caring, compassion and service like we’ve never known. The LeadingAge Ohio annual awards program has been revamped with fewer categories and a shorter application to save time and help us celebrate the individuals and organizations we are so proud to serve. The need to honor and recognize has never been greater. Visit the LeadingAge Ohio website for all the details.

Deadline to submit nominations is Friday, October 23. Questions regarding the annual awards program can be directed to Jennifer Taylor, Director of Member Experience, at jtaylor@leadingageohio.org or call 614-545-9028.

LeadingAge Need to Know: COVID-19 – September 14, 2020

LeadingAge shares the latest coronavirus news and resources with members twice each weekday. This morning's update featured a reminder to register for the Collaborative Care & HIT Summit which begins tomorrow and also an update on member solutions for CPVID-19 needs.

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.  

LeadingAge Ohio is working to ensure that the information in our daily alerts, on our website, and all coronavirus-related communications is as accurate as possible. However, LeadingAge Ohio makes no guarantees about the accuracy of the information.