Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) is holding free virtual town hall meeting on October 15 to discuss important information on accreditation surveys and options available for DMEPOS providers.
Join us online at 11 a.m. EDT October 15 to learn more about:
To keep providers informed on the latest COVID-19 news, the ACHC COVID-19 webpage now includes industry-specific links. Visit our webpage and click on your industry to learn more.
New CMS Guidance: Visitation in Long-Term Facilities
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to take critical steps to ensure America's healthcare facilities are prepared to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency. CMS recently issued new guidance on visitation in nursing homes during the emergency. Download the CMS memo to learn about new recommendations for nursing homes on how to safely facilitate in-person visitation to address the psychosocial needs of residents.
As many people in the United States begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing guidance to help protect individuals, their families, friends, and communities from the spread of COVID-19. These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. Read more about the CDC recommendations.
As communities and businesses reopen, you may be looking for ways to resume some daily activities as safely as possible. While there is no way to ensure zero risk of infection, it is important to understand potential risks and how to adopt different types of prevention measures to protect yourself and help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The temporary shutdown or reduced operation of a building and reductions in normal water use can create hazards for returning occupants. Check for hazards before reopening after a prolonged period of building inactivity. Some hazards include mold, legionella, and lead and copper contamination. Read more on minimizing these risks after reopening.
Ready, set, go!Children, adolescents, and adults can join this funat-home scavenger hunt. After finding each item, talk about its importance in keeping children and families safe and healthy. Special playtimes can help parents build strong, nurturing relationships with their children. This activity is designed to be played indoors, at home.
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to food security in the United States. Access to healthy food options and nutrition are an important part of overall physical and mental health. Across the United States, farmers markets have been named an essential service because of their role in supporting local farms and providing communities access to fresh, healthy food during the pandemic. Read more on CDC recommendations for farmers markets.
Health Officials Prepare to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine within 24 Hours of FDA Nod
Drug Store News (DSN)
The CDC recently outlined a sweeping plan to make vaccines for COVID-19 available free to all Americans. In the plan, the CDC said it anticipates a coronavirus vaccine will initially be granted an emergency use authorization before a full formal approval.
High Deaths Reported among Mexico Healthcare Workers
Border Report
Mexico has lost 1,320 healthcare workers to the coronavirus, the most deaths worldwide, followed by 1,077 in the U.S., 649 in England, and 634 in Brazil, according to Amnesty International. Figures released show 97,632 nurses, doctors and other hospital employees in Mexico have tested positive for the COVID-19 since the pandemic began. That’s 17 percent of all the cases in Mexico. Read more about this survey and its findings.
NACDS, Pharmacies Get Ready for Flu Season with Vaccination Campaigns
Supermarket News
With a dual threat of flu and COVID-19, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) launched a new campaign stressing the importance of flu vaccinations to protect public health and prevent an overrun of the healthcare system. In response, supermarket pharmacies nationwide are ramping up their flu vaccination programs. Read more about the campaign.
Focusing on Mental Health Needs of Hospice Workers
Hospice News
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The coronavirus pandemic has elevated attention to the mental health needs of the hospice workforce. Hospice executives have increasingly focused on providing new avenues of support for staff as they are buffeted with waves of COVID-19 challenges while caring for high-risk patients.
Originally, home-based care providers were largely exempt from the mandates tied to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), including significant paid sick and family leave for workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Yet in early August, a court ruling by the Southern District of New York found that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) had exempted too many types of care providers from the regulations. Read more about the ruling.