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.”
AALNA Advisory Council Member Rebecca Adelman has posted a very strong article. about the commission investigating nursing home response during COVID-19 Nursing & Assisted Living Facility Professional Hot Button September 30 2020 Volume 8 Issue 39 The Adelman Advantage Nursing Homes Need Shortages Prioritized and Not More of These Things … Read this powerful article … [Read more]
Best practices and success stories to keep your residents and employees safe during COVID-19. Don’t miss this free webinar from the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care! COVID-19 Solutions for Senior Care Facilities Best practices and success stories to keep your residents and employees safe. Wednesday | October 14, 2020 | 2 p.m. Eastern Special … [Read more]
WEBINAR: New National Action Plan for Safer Care Register Now for September 30 Webinar on New National Action Plan for Safer Care Register for a webinar on September 30 from 12-1:00 p.m. ET, about Safer Together: A National Action Plan to Advance Patient Safety. The plan brings together the knowledge and insights of the 27 members of … [Read more]
10/1/2020 FREE TEEPA SNOW WEBINAR- Teepa Reviews Lessons Learned From the Pandemic So Far As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in the United States and the rest of the world, providing care for people living with dementia (PLwD) has never been more challenging. The initial guidelines of maintaining six-foot social distancing requirements and heavy isolation was … [Read more]
AHCA/NCAL VIRTUAL Convention & Expo Is Two Weeks Away What Are You Waiting For? Convention & Expo Begins in Two Weeks REGISTER NOW Other highlights include: Get-Together Thursdays with live content and moderated discussions. New On-Demand Sessions released each week. Live chats in the Expo Hall from 9-11 AM each Thursday. 14th Annual NCAL Day … [Read more]