On February 8, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a COVID-19 resource page to keep providers updated on the latest resources from CMS, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others. CMS compiled these resources to help providers stay informed on updates and other information that is available.
The CDC has included a section on the resource page designated for nursing homes and long-term care facilities, which provides links to:
- CMS Nursing Home Resource Center
- CDC Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit
- HHS COVID-19 long-term care resources.
The CMS resource page provides a link to the HHS COVID-19 and flu public education campaign. This campaign aims to increase public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures, including mask wearing and social distancing.
The campaign is focusing on a group of Americans, called ‘the moveable middle.’ This group wants to protect their health but are hesitant about getting vaccines. The goal is to move these individuals from being hesitant to deciding to get COVID-19 vaccine when one is available for them.
Other links available on the CMS resource page include federal resources, White House Coronavirus Task Force information, and CMS COVID-19 policies and guidance. In addition, podcasts and audio file links are available for the COVID-19 Stakeholder calls.
The CMS Resource page can be accessed at Coronavirus (COVID-19) Partner Resources | CMS.
Issue:
It is critical as long-term care leaders that we are up-to-date on the rapidly changing findings and education about COVID-19 and the vaccine. The ramifications of not being knowledgeable of the most recent findings, education, or policies on COVID-19 and the vaccine can be life-threatening for residents and staff.
Discussion:
- Review the content of your policies and procedures related to COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure they provide the most recent information that is available. Update these policies as needed.
- Train all staff on the most recent updates on COVID-19 and the benefit of the vaccine in promoting better health and stopping the spread of the virus for residents and employees alike. Document that the trainings occurred, and file the signed document in the employees education file.
- Periodically audit staff understanding to determine if they are knowledgeable regarding the most recent information on COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine. Audit the rates of acceptance and refusal of the vaccine and provide accurate, up-to-date additional training where necessary.
