It has come to our attention that many assisted living/senior living communities are doing their own COVID-19 testing on staff and residents. Please be aware in order to administer these tests you MUST apply for and obtain a CLIA WAIVER. A template for CLIA WAIVER policy and procedure is attached as are the required application forms. You may add that anyone performing the point of care tests should be skill validated for the specific device that will be used, with return demonstration, and the documentation for that training placed in their employee file.
It is advised you check with your company or corporate office before submitting the attached application.
Although it is a federal form (CMS116) the states process the forms and some have additional requirements. Check with the state agency listed in the attachment to ascertain what else you might need.
You should estimate around 6-12 weeks for processing.
If you have any questions PLEASE use the contact form on alnursing.org to contact a board member.
The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) released the following statement in response to the recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve booster shots of the Moderna and Janssen (Johnson and Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines for certain individuals, including residents and health care workers in long term care.
The following statement is attributable to David Gifford, MD, chief medical officer of AHCA/NCAL:
“Once again, we appreciate the FDA and CDC for thoroughly examining the data and following the science to help protect Americans, including our nation’s most vulnerable, from COVID-19. All long term care residents and staff members will now be eligible to receive a booster shot thanks to these expanded recommendations.
“Additionally, the ability to mix-and-match vaccines for the booster dose will make it easier for long term care facilities to swiftly access these vaccines for their residents and staff.
“The rollout of the Pfizer booster shot has gone incredibly well in long term care, and we are confident that adding Moderna and Johnson and Johnson into the mix will catapult our efforts. We appreciate the partnership of federal and state governments, as well as long term care pharmacies and other vaccine providers, to make these vaccination efforts in nursing homes and assisted living communities efficient and successful.”
COVID-19 Update: NIH Issues Tx Guidelines; Another Senate Relief Bill; Whither HCQ? Steam Clean Checks Out for N95 Sterilization HCQ Tied to Increased Mortality in Male Vets With Severe COVID-19 Rural Health Needs Help During COVID-19 — and Beyond Dialysis Industry Ramping Up to Support Hospitals Slammed by COVID-19 First COVID-19 Test OK’d With ‘At … [Read more]
TOP STORIES YOU NEED TO KNOW Sudden Loss of Taste, Smell Should Be Part of COVID-19 Screen Physicians Push Back on Treating COVID-19 as HAPE Checklist to Manage Hyperglycemia, DKA in Severe COVID-19 Reopen Society Now? Let’s Not Land This Plane Blindfolded What Do You Think About the Reported Rates of COVID-19? FDA OKs First … [Read more]
Are you serving on a state COVID-19 task force? AMDA would like to convene members who are serving on a state COVID-19 task force on a regular information-sharing call. Join the group! Yesterday’s Headlines: New/Updated Guidance Important Information on the Use of Serological (Antibody) Tests for COVID-19 – Letter to Health Care Providers Letter from Senate … [Read more]
CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING Happy Earth Day! (Every day should be earth day.) Today’s Coronavirus Briefing is 1,179 words and will take you five minutes to read. The official global death toll from the pandemic as of this morning is 172,000 — a number said to vastly underestimate the true count. The price of benchmark U.S. crude oil dropped below … [Read more]
CDC Offers Strategic Planning for Potential Staffing Shortages Patrick Connole Plans must include considerations for permitting health care providers to return to work without meeting all return to work criteria outlined. Read more now.