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.”
Documentation will prevent COVID-19 lawsuits. Lawsuits are already being filed, please make sure you are documenting everything you are doing, PPE in use while assisting someone, PPE on resident during care, Hand washing before and after care, etc. Tedious- YES, protective YES!!! A legal expert is urging providers to document everything related to their response … [Read more]
Dear Members On April 13, 2020 NJDOH issued a new ORDER entitled: EMERGENCY CONDITIONAL CURTAILMENT OF ADMISSIONS ORDER Although there are a few additions, much of what is required here is what everyone is already doing. All of you are doing the best that you can with what you have available under unprecedented circumstances. This … [Read more]
This is an emergency adoption of a temporary rule waiver/modification of N.J.A.C. 8:39-43.2, which sets forth the requirements for applicants to receive certification as a nurse aide in long-term care facilities. Section 6 of EO 103, issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, authorizes agency heads to waive/suspend/modify any existing rule, where the enforcement of … [Read more]
COVID-19 Training Information This training notice was received from OHSP and is provided by LSU. The site has a lot of useful information related to general and COVID training. NO-COST VLT: Sequence for Donning and Doffing PPE LSU NCBRT/ACE has created a 6-minute video, “CDC Sequence for Donning and Doffing PPE,” that walks viewers … [Read more]
1. Don’t intubate too soon, NYC physician warns Full story 2. HHS to secure 35K+ ventilators by June 1; governors create joint reopening plans — 5 COVID-19 updates Full story 3. Policies at Pennsylvania hospitals endangered patients, staff, whistleblowers say Full story 4. A 13-hospital health system recovered $6.5M in uncollected revenue in 25 months. Click here to learn how. 5. Allscripts shares … [Read more]