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New York State COVID-19 Update from Hodes & Landy: May 26, 2020

Argentum New York Letter to the Editor

COVID-19 Resources

DOH Advisories and Directives

Please follow this link for the publication which provides healthcare providers in New York State, including ACFs and ALRs, with a consolidated update of guidance released by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) related to the COVID-19 pandemic response. This will show the current guidance for any given topic and will be updated to reflect new guidance.

DAL C20-01 re-iterates the recent Executive Orders regarding reporting COVID-19 positive cases and COVID-19 related deaths to family members and next of kin and also highlights best practices for keeping residents and families engaged during the pandemic.

Here are Updated Criteria for Discontinuing Isolation for Residents with COVID-19. Follow this link for the requirements for new admissions and re-admissions to ACFs/ALRs after hospitalization. The Advisory specifically states that no resident shall be denied re-admission or admission to the ACF solely based on a confirmed or suspected diagnosis of COVID-19.

Please click here to access the COVID-19 Infection Control checklist for ACFs/ALRs and here for the accompanying guidance document.

Executive Orders

The Governor has issued Executive Order 202.30, which requires all ACFs and ALRs to test their staff twice weekly for COVID-19, to submit a plan to DOH for this testing by Wednesday May 13, and certify that they are in compliance with all requirements by Friday, May 15. Read the DAL and FAQs on staff testing requirements and and the Hospital Discharge Directive.

Mandatory Reporting

COVID-19 HERDS Survey responses will be required daily throughout the pandemic. DOH reminds all providers to be as accurate as possible with respect to resident and census information.

NYS DOH is requiring all assisted living providers to enter and update data on their residents for the COVID-19 HERDS survey on the Health Commerce System needs each day no later than 3 p.m.

All demographic information is pre-populated. Please remind staff that roles on the Health Commerce System need to be up to date and all fields should be completed in order for the survey to be submitted.

The following roles on the HCS can complete the Survey: Administrators, Data Reporter, Emergency Response Coordinator, HPN Coordinator, Director of Resident Services.

Argentum Coronavirus Preparation and Response Toolkit

Argentum has created a Coronavirus Toolkit that contains excellent information and additional resources for providers of assisted living.

Some highlights from the Toolkit include the use of personal protective equipment, best practices for cleaning major touchpoints, monitoring and surveillance, communication plans and a “What to do Now” checklist.