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.”
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AHCA/NCAL’s CARE NOT COVID joint project to provide staff and residents in assisted living and skilled nursing homes messages of support and caring. Seniors and those with underlying health conditions are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 – and we must all do our part to protect them at this time. Nursing homes and assisted living communities … [Read more]
AHCA, HIDA Urge FEMA to Prioritize Nursing Centers, Assisted Living, Distributors for PPE Patrick Connole Supplies of personal protective equipment are urgently needed by nursing and assisted living facilities across the country, as well as by the distributors who serve them. Read more now.
New Guidance and Additional Resources on COVID-19 AHCA/NCAL released new guidance and a press statement on notifying public health officials and stakeholders about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in long term care facilities. This guidance reinforces much of what long term care providers are already doing and are currently required to do in their states. Our … [Read more]