Health & Safety Resources
DISCLAIMER: Many links contained on this page are specific to the COVID-19 pandemic and may have expired; however, there are many links contained on the page to refer visitors to agencies and resources that are still operating and applicable. This site is no longer continuously updated, but it will be maintained for reference purposes.
The Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA) consulted with multiple government agencies, industry stakeholders, and providers regarding the current health alerts on the Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19). Below is information and links that may be helpful in the prevention and treatment of COVID and other transmittable infections. Since there are numerous agencies and organizations publishing facts about infection prevention and treatment, VALA has provided the below links as a sample to some of the most helpful resources currently available.
For public health concerns, please consult your local health department and licensing agencies.
Quick Links to Resource Areas Listed Below:
- COVID-19 Recommendations, Regulations, & Resources for Senior Living Communities
- Staffing, Supplies (Including PPE), Infection Control, & Testing Resources
- Communication Resources with sample letters, checklists, & policies
INDUSTRY RECOMMENDATIONS, REGULATIONS, & RESOURCES
GOVERNMENT LINKS & RESOURCES- Virginia Specific Links & Resources
- Virginia - assistance, resources, and requirements
- Virginia Long-Term Care Task Force
- LTCF Task Force Monthly Newsletters: 12/2022, 10/2022, 09/2022
- VA LTC Task Force Presentations: 12/16/2021, 11/18/2021, 10/28/2021, 09/23/2021, 08/26/2021, 05/20/2021, 04/15/2021
- Executive Orders Issued by Governor Youngkin
- Virginia Long-Term Care Task Force
- Virginia Department of Health - Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- FAQs Regarding COVID-19
- Local Health Department Locator
- Clinician Letters
- VDH COVID-19 Vaccination Response
- COVID-19 Testing
- VDH COVID-19 Webinar Q&As: CDC & CMS COVID-19 Infection Prevention Updates (11/9/2022)
- VDH COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Homes (6/13/2023)
- Visiting a Loved One in a Nursing Home? Tips for a Safe Visit (3/23/2022)
- Closing a Healthcare Facility to New Admissions or Readmissions during the COVID-19 Pandemic (2/14/2022)
- FAQs Regarding Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Facilities & CDC Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for Healthcare Personnel (1/7/2022)
- Considerations for PPE and Cohorting during COVID-19 Response in LTCFs (10/21/2021)
- Recommendations for Hospitalized Patients Being Discharged to a Long-Term Care Facility During the COVID-19 Pandemic (6/2/2021)
- Management of Hemodialysis Patients Residing in Long-Term Care Facilities (4/8/2021)
- Quarantine Recommendations for Exposed Individuals in Healthcare Settings (4/8/2021)
- VDH Supplemental Form for Reporting a COVID-19 Outbreak in a Long-Term Care Facility Post-Vaccination (3/30/2021)
- Virginia COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Task Force Playbook (1/21/2021)
- Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Influenza and COVID-19 in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities (12/07/2020)
- Additional Rules and Regulations of the Board of Health - Commonwealth of Virginia
- Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) - In general terms, the CLIA regulations establish quality standards for laboratory testing performed on specimens from humans, such as blood, body fluid and tissue, for the purpose of diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of disease, or assessment of health.
- Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
- COVID-19 and Communicable Disease Outbreak Reporting Memo (2/14/2023)
- Updated CDC COVID-19 Guidance (10/26/2022)
- Important Healthcare Updates (9/12/2022)
- Virginia COVID-19 LTC Task Force - March Newsletter/Testing Reminders (3/16/2022)
- VDSS Receives Infection Control Grant (11/18/2021)
- Return to Full Onsite Inspections (11/17/2021)
- New COVID-19 Vaccine Resources - ALFs (9/21/2021)
- COVID-19 Updates from VDSS (9/3/2021)
- PPE Changes and Updates (6/25/2021)
- VDSS DOLP Return to On-Site Inspections (6/14/2021)
- CARES Act Funding for Assisted Living Providers (8/21/2020)
- Nurse Aide Education Program Waiver Update (8/13/2020)
- COVID Tips and Best Practices (7/31/2020) - Communal Activities, Transportation, COVID-19 Mitigation Plans, Barber & Cosmetology Services, Communal Dining, Visitors
- Memo to Assisted Living Providers on Reopening (6/23/2020)
- ALF Recommendations on Reopening (6/23/2020)
- VDSS Updated COVID-19 Information and FAQs (4/17/2020)
- Licensing Waivers During Virginia's State of Emergency - COVID-19 (4/15/2020)
- COVID-19 Letter to Adult Programs (3/17/2020)
- Virginia Department of Health Professions
- Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI)
- OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing ETS - Withdrawn effective 1/26/2022
- Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services - Office for Aging Services
- Virginia Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) - dedicated volunteers who are medical and public health professionals
- Requesting MRC Volunteers for COVID-19 Medical Staffing Support - to request and mobilize volunteers to provide long-term care and medical surge support needed for COVID-19 response in the Commonwealth
- Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services
- Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program (VHEMP)
- Virginia Healthcare Alerting & Status System (VHASS) - enhances the distribution of critical emergency management information needed by Virginia hospitals and healthcare providers, including long term care communities.
- Virginia Emergency Operations Center (VEOC)
- Virginia - assistance, resources, and requirements
- Federal Links & Resources
- Provider Relief Fund (PRF) - Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- What's New - listing of recent CDC updates
- CDC COVID Data Tracker & Community Tramission Levels by Locality
- Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 Vaccination
- About COVID-19 Vaccines
- Guidance for Healthcare Workers about COVID-19 Testing
- Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions
- People with Certain Medical Conditions
- Underlying Medical Conditions Associated with Higher Risk for Severe COVID-19: Information for Healthcare Providers
- Clinical Care Information for COVID-19
- Testing and Management Considerations for Nursing Home Residents with Acute Respiratory Illness Symptoms when SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Viruses are Co-circulating (11/22/2022)
- COVID-19 Testing - What You Need to Know (9/28/2022)
- Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Homes (9/23/2022)
- Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure (9/23/2022)
- Strategies to Mitigate Healthcare Personnel Staffing Shortages (9/23/2022)
- Stay Up to Date with Your Vaccines (9/8/2022)
- Allergic Reactions After COVID-19 Vaccination (7/20/2022)
- Project Firstline - CDC's National Training Collaborative for Healthcare Infection Prevention & Control (7/20/2022)
- Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19 (7/15/2022)
- Vaccines for COVID-19 (5/17/2022)
- Natural Disasters, Severe Weather, and COVID-19 (5/12/2022)
- Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for COVID (4/4/2022)
- Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of- Care and Rapid Testing (4/4/2022)
- Clinical Care Quick Reference for COVID-19 (3/16/2022)
- Healthcare Workers: Information on COVID-19 (12/27/2021)
- Training for Healthcare Professionals (11/1/2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers (8/6/2021)
- Additional Tools and Resources (11/3/2020)
- Basic Information about COVID-19
- Communication Resources (COVID-19) (9/14/2021) - Includes Guidance Documents, Videos, Print Resources, & Public Service Announcements
- Print Resources
- Health Alert Network (HAN) - CDC's primary method to share cleared information on urgent public health incidents
- CMS Emergency Preparedness & Response Operations: Current Emergencies
- Stakeholder Podcasts and Call Transcripts
- Nursing Home Visitation - COVID-19 (9/23/2022)
- Nursing Home Visitation FAQs (3/10/2022)
- Over the Counter Home Testing and CLIA Applicability FAQs (3/4/2022)
- FAQs - CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule (2/7/2022)
- COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination IFC-6 National Stakeholder Call Slides (11/5/2021)
- Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes (includes information for ALFs) (3/2022 Version 26)
- Interim Final Fule - COVID-19 Vaccine Immunization Requirements for Residents and Staff (5/11/2021)
- Infographic: Coverage of Monoclonal Antibody Products to Treat COVID-19 (5/6/2021)
- Infographic - Nursing Home Visitation (3/12/2021)
- COVID-19 Survey Activities, CARES Act Funding, Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control deficiencies, and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes (1/4/2021)
- Nursing Home COVID-19 Testing FAQs (12/7/2020)
- Point of Care Antigen Testing FAQ (12/7/2020)
- Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations for State and Local Officials (9/28/2020)
- New COVID-19 Testing and Reporting Requirements (9/8/2020)
- FAQs: COVID-19 Testing at Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes (8/5/2020)
- Talking Point for Providers (7/27/2020)
- Counseling Checklist (7/27/2020)
- VIDEO - Five Things About Nursing Homes During COVID-19 (7/9/2020)
- FAQs for Non Long-Term Care Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (6/10/2020)
- Release of COVID-19 Nursing Home Data (6/4/2020)
- Nursing Home Reopening Recommendations Frequently Asked Questions (5/18/2020)
- COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facility Transfer Scenarios (4/13/2020)
- Long-Term Care Facility Guidance (4/2/2020)
- Additional Background: Sweeping Regulatory Changes to Help U.S. Healthcare System Address COVID-19 Patient Surge (3/30/2020)
- Medicare Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet (3/17/2020)
- Memorandum: Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Nursing Homes (3/13/2020)
- Memorandum: Information for Healthcare Facilities Concerning 2019 Novel Coronavirus Illness (2019-nCoV) (2/6/2020)
- Administration for Community Living (ACL) - COVID-19 website
- HHS - US Department of Health & Human Services
- HHS COVID-19 Updates - Includes updates from a variety of agencies including ACL, AHRQ, CDC, CMS, FDA, HHS, NIH, OCR, and OSG
- Vaccines.gov - Provides messages and graphics to help spread awareness about catching up on vaccinations
- CARES Act Provider Relief Fund - Portal Access, Data, FAQs, and more
- CARES Act Provider Relief Fund - For Providers
- Press Release: HHS Announces the Availability of $25.5 Billion in COVID-19 Provider Funding (9/10/2021)
- HHS Telehealth guidance and information
- National Health care Safety Network (NHSN) LTCF COVID-19 Module - provides long-term care facilities with a customized system to track infections and preventions process measures in a systematic way
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) - includes links for COVID, C. difficile infection, UTIs, and more
- Enrollment steps for LTCFs submitting data in COVID-19 Module
- Enrollment Guidance for LTCFs - April 2020 Slideset
- Module Overview for LTCFs - April 2020 Slideset
- Resident Impact and Facility Capacity Pathway Form
- Staff and Personnel Impact Pathway Form
- How to Change LTC Facility Type
- Conferring Rights to VDH in the NHSN - Long-Term Care Facilities (6/2020)
- COVID-19 Nursing Home Data
- FEMA
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
- U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - COVID-19 Information
- COVID-19 Guidance for Nursing Home and Long-Term Care Facility Workers (05/2020)
- OSHA's COVID-19 Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Employers
- Occupational Exposure Risk Pyramid
- Argentum outside counsel, Foley Hoag LLP - Memo Regarding Forthcoming Federal Vaccine Mandates
- USA.gov - Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID-19
- U.S. Congressional Actions:
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) {H.R.6201}
- FFCRA Q&A (refer to questions 56 & 57 for definition of health care provider)
- FFCRA Fact Sheet: Employer Paid Leave Requirements
- FFCRA Fact Sheet: Employee Paid Leave Rights
- Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act {H.R.6074}
- CARES Act {H.R.748)
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) {H.R.6201}
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) - COVID-19
- Press Announcements (9/30/2022)
- Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) - For medical devices, therapeutics, and test performances (9/30/2022)
- Letters to Health Care Providers (8/18/2022) - The FDA posts the letters it sends to health care providers about safety concerns with medical devices used in health care facilities.
- COVID-19 and Medical Devices (7/19/2022)
- FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers Consumers Should Not Use (9/23/2022)
- Searchable listing of hand sanitizers recommended by FDA to discontinue use (scroll to the bottom for listing)
- White House Guidelines - Opening Up America Again
- World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Outbreak
- Argentum
- American Health Care Association
- The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (AMDA)
- American Geriatrics Society (AGS)
- Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
- QIN-QIO: Infection Prevention and Control Post-Acute Plan Prioritized Risks, Goals, Strategies, and Implementation - Resource Collection (05//282020)
- QIN-QIO: Establishing an Infection Prevention Program, and conducting ongoing Infection Surveillance in the Nursing Home (5/28/2020)
- APIC Text Chapter Collection: Long-Term Care (free through 9/30/2020)
- National Restaurant Association - Restaurant Reopening Guidance
- NIC: COVID-19 Resource Center - delivering data, analytics, and connections
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STAFFING, SUPPLIES (INCLUDING PPE), INFECTION CONTROL, & TESTING RESOURCES
COVID-19 Supports & Resources: Staffing, Supplies, Testing, & Infection Control - Download a isting of companies that may be able to provide assistance with staffing, supplies, or testing. VALA does not endorse or recommend any of the companies listed and is sharing the listed for informational purposes only as potential contacts.
- Virginia Healthcare Alerting & Status System (VHASS) - enhances the distribution of critical emergency management information needed by Virginia hospitals and healthcare providers, including long term care communities.
- CDC: Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course
Guidance for Homemade PPE: Per the CDC: In a setting where face masks are not available, HCP might use homemade masks for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. However, homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect HCP is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face.
- CDC National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
COMMUNICATION RESOURCES
- Sample Communications:
- Sample Letter to Family of Residents about the the COVID-19 Vaccination (CDC)
- Employee Communication - COVID-19 Self-Quarantine Expectations (VALA)
- Family Communication - Confirmed Case of COVID (VALA & Argentum)
- Family Communication - Confirmed Case of COVID Nearby (VALA & Argentum)
- Family Communication - No Spread of COVID (VALA & Argentum)
- Family Communication - No Spread of COVID - Alternative (VALA & Argentum)
- Family Communication - Resident Positive for COVID (VALA)
- Media Communication - Statement & Talking Points for Communities with COVID-19 (VALA)
- Visitor Communication - COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire (VALA)
- Checklists, Guidelines, Policies, & Procedures
- Community Access and Infection Control (Argentum)
- Guidelines for New Admissions and COVID Precautions (VALA)
- Operational Readiness: Long Term Care Reopening Checklist (Ecolab)
- Optimization Medication Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implementation Guide for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Guide (University of Maryland School of Pharmacy)
- Reporting Positive Cases and Leadership Communications (Argentum)
- Sample Guidelines - Return of Beauty Shop Services (VALA) (6/12/2020)
- VDH Facility Employee Daily Screening Form (5/8/2020)
- VDH Guidance for Assessing and Managing Exposed, Asymptomatic Healthcare Personnel (6/12/2020)
- VDH Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfection for SARS-CoV-2 (6/7/2021)
- VDH Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings for COVID-19 (4/28/2020)
- VDH Staff Line List for COVID-19 Outbreaks (5/8/2020)
- White Paper: Argentum Guidance for Managing COVID-19 Restrictions (6/10/2020) (Argentum)
- White Paper: The Need for A "Smart" Testing Strategy (5/22/2020) (Argentum)
Lessons Learned from Providers Impacted by COVID-19
- Monitor federal/state/local government websites routinely for updates on prevention, treatment, and restrictions.
- Monitor Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on a regular basis before and during any potential emergency and acquire additional supplies before being needed.
- Review and update as needed visitation policies to provide the best response for the optimal well-being of residents and staff.
- Communicate all visitation and emergency action policies whenever changed with residents, family members, volunteers, and community guests.
- Employees, residents, and guests need to be considered when planning for prevention and protection of any disease or emergency.
- Maintain an up to date listing of contact information for local Health Departments and emergency support organizations and have the listing readily available to appropriate staff members.
- Use discretion in the information reviewed to verify the validity of it as unfortunately, some misinformation has been shared.