Revised COVID-19 Guidance from CMS/AHCA; Tools for Providers
March 12, 2020 | Corona Virus
AHCA issued in it email update outlining recommendations that both ACHA and CMS are recommending and providing additional resources for long-term care providers. Both organizations recommend:
- Actively screening every person who comes into a center: family visitors, staff,
contractors, government officials – anyone who is coming in - Limiting visits to only those who are essential (AHCA/NCAL and CMS are defining
“essential” slightly differently) - Focusing on good hand hygiene
- Exploring alternate ways for residents to stay in touch with their loved ones
- Encouraging SNFs to provide communication and updates to families
A comparison of recommendations is available:
AHCA_CMS Recommendations Compared
“AHCA/NCAL and CMS agree that what is important is that this virus is serious and deadly in the
elderly (much more so than in the general population), and the serious risk of spread and death
needs to be taken into consideration when evaluating how to limit visitors. There may be
extenuating circumstances, and these decisions need to be made in each individual center with
each individual resident,” AHCA said in the email update.
With recommended visitor restrictions, AHCA has a template for providers to use to explain the need for visitor restrictions:
Notice to Families Restricting Visitors
Providers can also refer to AHCA’s dedicated site: https://www.ahca.org/coronavirus
Email questions to: COVID19@ahca.org