In response to increasing cases of COVID-19 in Virginia's long-term care facilities, Governor Northam established the Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Task Force on April 10 to:
- Ensure long-term care facilities have the resources they need to combat the virus;
- Strengthen staffing, testing and infection control measures at long-term care facilities; and
- Keep stakeholders informed about the impact of COVID-19 on long-term care facilities.
Issue areas being reviewed by the Task Force include facility staffing and financing, infection control, personal protective equipment and supplies, COVID-19 testing, communications, and discharge planning.
Membership of the task force is broad based, including:
- State agency representatives
- Long term care facility representatives
- Medicaid managed care organizations
- The Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association
- Family members of long-term care facility residents and their advocates
Long-term care facilities should follow CDC guidance for healthcare workers with SARS-CoV-2 infection or exposure as updated December 23, 2021 here and here.
VDH clinician letter (12/29/2021)
VDH FAQs (01/07/2022)
Education & Training Resources
COVID-19 Staff Vaccination Toolkit
- COVID-19 Vaccination Factsheets (September 9, 2021)
- Conversation Guide and Checklist (September 9, 2021)
- LTF Staff Testimonials (September 9, 2021)
- Vaccination Powerpoint Slides (September 9, 2021)
COVID-19 Vaccine Resources
- (NEW) COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Video -Developed by VDH; can be used to address vaccine hesitancy in the facility (1/19/2022)
- A Descriptive Analysis of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in Long-term Care Facilities, Virginia - 2021
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Long-term Care Facilities (Recorded May 3, 2021)
- VDSS & VDH ALF COVID-19 Webinar Series, Episode 1 - Vaccine Update; Slides, Video (3/25/2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Overview/Update for Healthcare Workers (password:tVNhARi6) - Recorded December 9, 2020
- Virginia COVID-19 Vaccine Update - Recorded November 2, 2020
- Virginia Healthcare COVID-19 Vaccination Webinar - Recorded October 22, 2020
- VDSS & VDH ALF COVID-19 Webinar Series, Episode 3 - COVID-19 Infection Control Update; Slides, Video (5/27/2021)
- VCU Nursing Home ECHO
- Content will include late-breaking COVID updates, deep-dives into complex, challenging issues such as post-vaccine management, staff support, and acquisition of vital, more advanced QAPI skills to produce effective plans.
- VDSS & VDH ALF COVID-19 Webinar Series, Episode 2 - Testing Update; Slides, Video (4/29/2021)
- VDSS & VDH ALF COVID-19 Webinar Series, Episode 1 - Vaccine Update; Slides, Video (3/25/2021)
- Lunch and Learn: COVID-19 Best Practices for Visitation and Recommendations for Improving Communication with Families and Responsible Guardians; Slides, Video (2/3/2021)
- Lunch and Learn: COVID-19 Resources for Assisted Living Facilities; Slides (12/22/2020)
- Lunch and Learn: COVID-19 Resources for Nursing Homes (12/2/2020)
- CDC: Mini Webinar Series – COVID-19 Prevention Training for Long-Term Care Staff
- CDC: COVID-19 Training for Healthcare Professionals
- VDH: COVID-19 Testing Training
- VDH: N95 Respiratory Fit Testing Train-the-Trainer Course
- Project ECHO COVID-19 Response
- Quality Improvement Organizations: Nursing Home Trainings
Resource Guide for Developing a Respiratory Program
Check out our NEW Resource Guide for Developing a Respiratory Program!
Learn more about how to develop and implement a respiratory protection program
Register for VDH Respiratory Fit Testing Train-the-Trainer Course
VDH HAI/AR Program Education & Training Resources
Check the VDH HAI/AR Program Education & Training Web Page for the latest infection prevention and control educational opportunities
COVID-19 Vaccine Training Events
Check the VDH COVID-19 Vaccine Web Page for Healthcare Professionals for the latest vaccine-related training opportunities
Virginia LTC COVID-19 Data
LTC Facilities Reporting Outbreaks of COVID-19
Due to the rapid spread of the Delta variant and the increase in cases and outbreaks across the state, the COVID-19 Outbreaks by Selected Exposure Settings dashboard was reinstated on August 25, 2021. The publicly posted data includes all outbreaks reported to VDH from long-term care facilities and other exposure settings since August 1, 2021 and will be updated weekly.
Guidance for Long-Term Care Facilities
- HQIN Vaccine Administration and Tracking Tools (Filter on left by Vaccination & Nursing Homes)
- Vaccine Hesitancy Resources
- VDH: COVID-19 Vaccination Response for LTCFs
- CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination
- (NEW) Connect to Test resource to help find available COVID tests; applicable to all types of LTCFs
- Visit the COVID-19 Testing web page to review Updated Expiration Dates of Abbott BinaxNOW Ag Test Cards
- VDH: COVID-19 Testing, Laboratory and Therapeutics
- VDH Interim COVID-19 Antigen Testing Recommendations
- VDH Portal for Reporting Point-of-Care COVID-19 Lab Results
- Instructions: This portal will assist testing sites in meeting the requirement of the CARES Act to report every diagnostic and screening test performed to detect SARS-CoV-2 or to diagnose a possible case of COVID-19. This portal allows the rapid entry of person-level test results for positive and negative point-of-care results, and provides the ability to enter aggregate negative results as necessary for high-volume testing sites. All COVID-19 test results should be reported to VDH within 24 hours. Testing sites that are not conducting POC tests, should report results per standard protocols.
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Nursing Homes - Reporting POC results into VDH Portal versus NHSN
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On January 8, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) updated their Reporting Guidance for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Language in the document was modified to state that the National Healthcare Safety Network’s (NHSN) Point of Care (POC) Test Reporting tool is the preferred (but not required) method for CMS-certified LTCFs (i.e., nursing homes) to submit COVID-19 POC test results to state health departments and HHS. Additionally, on January 8th, CMS released a memo (page 14) with this update.
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CMS-certified nursing homes may use NHSN or the VDH Portal to report COVID-19 POC test results. Facilities will only need to report to one system, as results from NHSN will be directly sent to state and local health departments. If facilities choose to report to NHSN, they must first upgrade their SAMS access to Level 3. Facilities should report COVID-19 POC test results (positive and negative) within 24 hours regardless of the system that is utilized. Information on reporting in NHSN, including POC Testing Reporting Tool FAQs, can be found on the NHSN LTCF website.
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- CMS Nursing Home Testing Requirements (9/10/2021)
- CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker Tool
- CDC Considerations for Interpreting Antigen Test Results in Nursing Homes
- CDC – Testing for Coronavirus in Nursing Homes
VDH recommends Virginia long-term care facilities follow current CDC guidance, and recommends nursing homes also follow current CMS guidance. CMS guidance may also be useful for other long-term and residential settings.
Influenza Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities
- Resources for Long-Term Care Facilities (Including Assisted Living Facilities)
- VDH Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic (Dec 2020)
COVID-19 Resources
- (NEW) COVID-19 Testing Resources for Residential Care Facilities (01/11/2022)
- (NEW) Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (12/23/2021)
- (NEW) Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages (12/23/2021)
- (NEW) Connect to Test resource to help find available COVID tests; applicable to all types of LTCFs
- COVID-19 Outbreak Response Method in LTCFs (10/26/2021)
- Considerations for PPE and Cohorting during COVID-19 Response in LTC (10/21/2021)
- CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker Tool
- COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Resource Center
- VDH Supplemental Form for Reporting a COVID-19 Outbreak in a LTCF Post-Vaccination
- Positive Behavioral Control Checklist for Long-Term Care Facility Staff Interacting with Residents with Cognitive and Emotional Challenges
- Closing a Healthcare Facility to New Admissions or Readmissions during the COVID-19 Pandemic (01/19/2021)
- Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients Being Discharged to a Long-Term Care Facility During the COVID-19 Pandemic (06/02/2021)
- VDH Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection (06/07/2021)
- OSHA COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long Term Care Facility Workers
- CDC Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Tool for LTCFs
- Request an Infection Prevention and Control Assessment with the VDH HAI/AR Program
- Clinician letter December 29, 2021
- (Updated) VDH COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Homes (11/16/2021)
- CDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes (3/29/2021)
- CDC Updated Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations in Response to COVID-19 Vaccination (9/10/2021)
- Infection Prevention & Control Guidance FAQ for Nursing Homes
CMS
- (New) Nursing Home Visitation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (01/06/2022)
- (Updated) CMS Revised Nursing Home Visitation Guidelines (11/12/2021)
- CMS Program Guidance and Information About COVID-19
- CMS Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations (03/10/2021)
- CMS Nursing Home Testing Requirements (9/10/2021)
- CMS Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating System Updates, Nursing Home Staff Counts, and FAQs (3/10/2021)
- HHS Report: Vaccination Linked to a Reduction of Over a Quarter Million COVID-19 Cases, 100,000 Hospitalizations, and 39,000 Deaths Among Seniors (October 2021)
- JAMA Original Investigation Article: COVID-19 Risk Factors and Mortality Outcomes Among Medicare Patients Receiving Long-term Dialysis (November 17, 2021)
Testing Guidance for LTCFs
- Nursing Home Notification Form to Health Department Regarding Inability to Perform Routine Staff Testing (9/16/20)
- Instructions: Nursing homes can use this form to notify the local health department that your facility is unable to perform routine staff testing according to CMS requirements (i.e., access to point-of-care testing or a private/commercial lab with a turnaround time < 48 hours).
Guidance for all LTCFs
- The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Updates COVID-19 Recommendations for Healthcare Settings and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Updates Nursing Home Visitation Guidance
- Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Task Force Playbook (1/21/21)
- VDH Facility Employee Daily Screening Form
- VDH Role of Public Health and LTCFs in Preparedness and Response Efforts (6/15/20)
- VDH Line List for COVID-19 Outbreaks
- Management of Hemodialysis Patients Residing in LTCFs
- VDH Optimization Strategies for PPE
NHSN
Template Letters to Residents and Families – from VHCA and LeadingAge
- VHCA - Confirmed Case in LTCF: Letter to Families (5/4/20)
- LeadingAge – Positive Diagnosis: Letter to Residents and Families (5/4/20)
- LeadingAge – Positive Diagnosis in Staff: Letter to Residents and Families (5/4/20)
- LeadingAge – COVID-19 Death: Letter to Residents and Families (5/4/20)
