National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Annual Survey Clarification

If a facility is only reporting the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) required data which includes weekly COVID-19 reporting and the annual staff influenza data there is no requirement to complete the annual survey. Please note the Long-term Care Facility (LTCF) Healthcare Associated Infections Reporting Tool Frequently Asked Questions says the survey is optional for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) that only report data in the COVID-19 module. Superior Health Quality Alliance (Superior Health) quality improvement advisors believe NHSN meant to say it is optional for SNFs that report data into the COVID-19 module and report annual health care personnel (HCP) influenza vaccination data since the HCP influenza vaccination data is also a CMS requirement for SNFs.

If a facility has voluntarily chosen to report monthly HAI measures (Clostridium difficile or urinary tract infection for example), then an annual survey is required to be completed. If a facility no longer wishes to report HAI data into NHSN, they may choose to stop at any time. It would be prudent prior to stop data entry to check with others at the facility to be sure no one is expecting to have that data available.

Free Viven Health Vaccination Modules

Superior Health partnered with Viven Health, a nurse-led behavior change company, to provide an innovative, virtual learning program to complement our current infection prevention practices. The program is called the Interactive Combined Vaccination Program, designed to increase vaccination rates and awareness of COVID-19, pneumonia, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza vaccines. Unlike traditional, passive education, the material in the program is presented in a fun and interactive online experience. The best part…the program is FREE to you, underwritten by Superior Health under contract with the CMS.

Join us for an information session, during the Nursing Home Leadership Roundtable, on Feb. 28 at Noon CT/1 p.m. ET. Register online to obtain the meeting link. View the flyer and frequently asked questions document for more information.

COVID-19 Testing Kits for Long Term Care and Assisted Living Facilities

Please send the following info to tdx@hhs.gov:

1. A copy of your facility’s current Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver.
2. The name and address of your facility.
3. Indicate assisted living or skilled nursing home.
4. The name, email and phone number of your facility point of contact.
5. The number of employees in your facility.
6. The number of tests per week you require.

Read more.

Substance Use Disorder Resource

Superior Health developed this one-page resource to share helpful links to resources, toolkits, videos and handouts related to substance use disorder (SUD). The document also provides opportunities to learn more about stigma and the negative impact it has on being able to care for and support individuals with SUD.

Clinical Information and Considerations for Cannabis Use in Senior Care Settings

The Minnesota Association of Geriatrics Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC), Alliance for Clinical Excellence (ACE) has created a Clinical Information and Considerations for Cannabis Use in Senior Care Settings document to help provide education and a resource to assist senior care settings navigate this new landscape while respecting resident rights. The document includes an introduction, uses, general clinical considerations and resources to help providers better understand the clinical implications when residents chose to use cannabis products.

Webinar Series: Ensuring Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Treatment Through the Care Continuum

In our February session, we heard from experts who focused on successful care transitions and MOUD treatment for nursing home residents. This included sharing various tools and resources such as the Nursing Home Naloxone Policy and Procedure Toolkit, as well a case study for successful implementation of MOUD in a nursing home. We had over 200 participants in attendance! One comment we received is “Our facility needs to do more to prepare to care for this population.”

Join us on March 8 for our follow-up session, which will feature a panel discussion on how to care for residents on MOUD in the nursing home. Register online. See the flyer for more information.