HHS Amends PREP Act Declaration to Increase Workforce Authorized to Administer COVID-19 Vaccines was issued January 28, 2021. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today issued a fifth amendment to the Declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to add additional categories of qualified persons authorized to prescribe, dispense, and administer COVID-19 vaccines …
COVID-19 Training Resources for Healthcare Professionals
If you’re looking for COVID-19 training resources, here’s a place to start. Training for Healthcare Professionals is a website that identifies many training options. CDC updates this resource periodically – most recently on January 25, 2021. Here’s the current training opportunities found on this website: Search COVID-19 Trainings on TRAIN COVID-19 Vaccine Training: General Overview of Immunization Best Practices for …
HHS Extends Public Health Emergency (PHE) Through End of 2021
Late Friday evening (January 22, 2020), the Acting U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Norris Cochran sent a letter to state Governors indicating that in addition to extending the current public health emergency (PHE) for an additional 90-days, effective January 21st, HHS has made the decision that the PHE “will likely remain in place for the entirety …
Hospice Quality Reporting Program: Quarterly Updates for October – December 2020
This document provides Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP)-related updates on events and guidance from the 4th Quarter of 2020 (October-December 2020) and prepares for 1st Quarter of 2021 (January –March 2021). Some examples of what you’ll find in the document are: The Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Requirements and Best Practices website with many resources is found here. This webpage …
Conversation and Action Guide to Support Staff Well-Being and Joy in Work During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care leaders are working to support staff who are experiencing anxiety, stress, and intense demands.” This guide — which builds on the IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work — includes actionable ideas that leaders can quickly test during the coronavirus response, and which can build the longer-term foundation to sustain joy in work for the health care …
CMS Releases Pandemic Plan
CMS has posted CMS Pandemic Plan – v. 3.1 Public Release with an effective date of January 11, 2021. This is a 91-page document. Here’s the Executive Summary: “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people and industries across the country, exacting a heavy toll on every American. The lives lost and the impact of the economic toll have touched every aspect …
Texas Adopts New COVID-19 Vaccination Data Reporting Emergency Rules for NF and ALF Providers
Effective Jan. 11, HHSC has adopted new COVID-19 vaccination data reporting emergency rules. The rules require nursing facilities and assisted living facilities to accurately report COVID-19 vaccination data for staff and residents to HHSC in the format established by HHSC within 24 hours of completing a round of vaccinations. The data will allow HHSC to accurately track vaccinations of staff …
Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Alex Azar, officially renewed the Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19, effective January 21, 2021, for an additional 90 days. This renewal happened on Thursday, January 7, 2021. The current PHE declaration was set to expire on January 21, 2021. That expiration date has now been moved to April 21, …
COVID-19 News & Updates
States are working very hard to speed up COVID-19 vaccination rates. Here are some state plans and dashboards you may want to check out and bookmark for future reference: Texas COVID-19 Vaccination Information COVID-19 Vaccination in Texas dashboard Nebraska Nebraska COVID-19 Vaccination dashboard. On this same dashboard, you can access the COVID-19 cases in Nebraska. Click on the yellow navigation …
CMS Unveils 2020 List of Quality and Efficiency Measures Under Consideration
On December 22, 2020, CMS unveiled its list of quality and efficiency measures under consideration – a precursor or first step in the pre-rulemaking process. In that Press Release, CMS revealed the 2020 list, which includes a number of new measures, as well as several updates to modernize or replace existing measures: Five outcome measures (measures that focus on the …