On January 4, 2023, the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) released a free toolkit, COVID-19 Vaccination and Therapeutics in PALTC Toolkit: Resources for Clinicians, which provides helpful information on COVID-19 treatment and vaccination in a long-term care setting.
During a meeting with members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team on October 17, 2022, leaders from healthcare associations across the country were asked to educate their members and stakeholders about the importance, effectiveness, and accessibility of the COVID-19 bivalent booster and the therapeutics available to treat those diagnosed with COVID-19. AMDA-The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine partnered with the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the Gerontological Advance Practice Nurses Association, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Academy of Physician Associates to create this toolkit for clinicians working in post-acute and long-term care settings, treating the most vulnerable of our population.
The toolkit includes frequently asked questions; guidance and fact sheets; the role of the medical director in effective prevention and treatment of COVID-19, co-management of COVID-19 and Influenza, among other topics, and also provides lists of resources and additional information. Access the free toolkit here.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
The vulnerable nature of the nursing home population combined with the inherent risks of congregate living in a healthcare setting require extra effort to limit COVID-19 exposure and to prevent its spread in nursing homes. Providers and suppliers, especially those delivering care in congregate care settings, should ensure their patients and residents are protected against transmission of COVID-19 within their facilities, and are receiving appropriate treatment if they test positive for the virus.
Discussion Points
- Review infection control policies and procedures to ensure that all guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 are in place and being followed. Also review policies on resident and staff vaccinations. Update policies and procedures as needed.
- Educate staff on the importance of infection control and COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. Also educate appropriate staff on COVID-19 therapeutics and appropriate treatment for residents who are at risk.
- Periodically audit to ensure that all staff are following proper infection control procedures. Also audit to ensure staff are reporting resident and staff vaccination data to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network, and that if a resident tests positive for COVID-19, he or she is provided available therapeutics as appropriate.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, LLC for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
