Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
For a list of TALA Industry Partners who provided COVID-related services, please click here.
NEWS UPDATES
COVID-19 Response Plans for ALFs
COVID-19 Response Plans for ALFs available here. HHSC advises this document is a “living” document with frequent updates as guidance changes. Links to vital information included.
Texas said nursing homes can allow limited visits. The actual rules still aren't published.
TALA President interview by Emily Foxhall of the Houston Chronicle.
HHSC To Allow Limited Visitation At Nursing Facilities And Long-Term Care Facilities
TALA President interview by Chris Fox with CBS News Radio. The story ran on KRLD in Dallas, and on Texas State Networks, which is 134 radio stations statewide including KLBJ in Austin and WOAI in San Antonio.
UT Center for Aging - FREE Specific Trainings
The Center for Excellence in Aging Services and Long Term Care for The University of Texas School of Nursing, is offering FREE education along with specific trainings on Infection Control via webinar.
Please visit their COVID-19 Resources page for more information at https://www.
LTC Providers Required to Report COVID-19 to HHSC
COVID-19 Cases in LTC Facilities on Public HHS Website
HHSC Waivers
The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Long-term Care Regulatory (LTCR) has issued a Provider Letter for assisted living communities and related professions.
| PL 2020-23 | Guidance on COVID-19 Response in Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) Note: Replaces PL 20-13 |
| PL 2020-21 | Suspension of Certain LTCR Requirements during COVID-19 Outbreak |
Restrictive Visitor Policies
Long-term care communities are under new direction to significantly limit visitors to their communities and any potential outings by residents. Assisted Living Providers received Provider Letter PL 20-23, and Governor Greg Abbott mentioned similar restrictions in his March 19th Executive Order #3. The provider letter invokes Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247, Section 247.064(d), which says that a resident’s right to visitation can be restricted in order to protect the health and safety of residents.
If a resident leaves the community for any reason and then returns, the resident must be screened and temperature checked. If the resident fails any portion of the screen, the resident may be allowed to return but should be kept in isolation per the CDC’s protocol.
Requesting Personal Protective Equipment
Responding to COVID-19 has put an enormous strain on the country’s supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 masks, gloves and gowns. Because of the national shortage and prioritization of PPE to acute care settings, long-term care facilities are feeling the pinch. HHSC has an informative website (https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/news/2020/03/resources-ltc-providers-request-ppe) specifically for long-term care providers. All communities must attempt to purchase necessary PPE through private distributors. Save copies of emails and responses, because the documentation will be necessary for requesting any PPE from the strategic national stockpile.
The Department of State Health Services is utilizing the state’s 22 Regional Advisory Councils to manage PPE shortages. Assisted Living Communities may request PPEs from their local RACs (find contact information here: https://dshs.texas.gov/emstraumasystems/etrarac.shtm). Long-term care providers need to use the State of Texas Assistance Request (STAR) process, and prioritization for PPE distribution.
The Center for Disease Control put out advice for medical providers regarding the conservation of PPE. Find that information here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/index.html
Changes for Nurses
Governor Greg Abbott has announced several initiatives to increase the pool of nurses able to respond to COVID-19. The Texas Board of Nursing has a webpage dedicated to the changes (https://www.bon.texas.gov/COVID-19.asp).
The City of Austin has announced new control measures for all assisted living communities and nursing homes. Beginning immediately, communities will screen all residents, employees, visitors, and volunteers for elevated temperatures prior to entering the community. http://www.austintexas.gov/news/control-order-issued-combat-spread-covid-19-among-vulnerable-populations
To stay up to date on the Houston area:
City of Houston Health Department :
https://www.houstontx.gov/health/Epidemiology/2019-nCoV.html
Harris County Health:
http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/Resources/2019-Novel-Coronavirus
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS
Visitation Phase 1 Emergency Rules: https://hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/doing-business-with-hhs/providers/long-term-care/alf/hhsc-20-0061-assisted-living-facility-covid-19-response-emergency-rule-web.pdf
Provider Letter for Phase 1 Visitation: https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/providers/communications/2020/letters/PL2020-24.pdf
Direct Links to COVID-19 Local Health Entities DSHS webpage: https://www.dshs.
CDC Website Guidance for Health Care Providers (HCP) regarding Repeat Testing
https://www.cdc.gov/
Ready to print public awareness materials are available on the TxDSHS and CDC websites.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/images/infographic-symptoms.jpg
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/docs/CoronavirusAlert-English.pdf
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/docs/CoronavirusSymptoms-English.pdf
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/docs/StopSpreadofGerms-English.pdf
CDC example signs for use outside resident room doors for Contact Precautions, Droplet Precautions, and Airborne Precautions
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/transmission-based-precautions.html#anchor_1564058318
Texas.gov has posted a link to help Front Line workers find child care and support in their area. Please click on this link to access: https://frontlinechildcare.
Other Resources:
Types of Testing for COVID-19 - Texas Department of State & Health Services
Texas Department of State Health Services - Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
https://dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/
Texas HHSC Emergency Preparedness rules & regulations for Licensed Assisted Living Facilities
COVID-19 Healthcare Planning Checklist
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/COVID19/Documents/COVID-19%20Healthcare%20Planning%20Checklist.pdf
CDC guidance on implementing recommended infection prevention practices FREE online course - The Nursing Home Infection Preventionzist Training: https://www.cdc.gov/longtermcare/training.html
World Health Organization Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Health Care Coalitions across the US for emergency disaster response:
https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/hpp/Pages/find-hc-coalition.aspx
Activities and Program Resources during COVID-19
- https://www.travelandleisure.c
om/attractions/museums-galleri es/museums-with-virtual-tours - https://www.insider.com/museum
s-theme-parks-offer-virtual- tours-ideal-for-social- distancing-2020-3 - https://www.refinery29.com/en-
us/2020/03/9576127/free-virtua l-tours-online - https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/1
9/coronavirus-pass-the-time-in -self-isolation-with-virtual- museum-tours.html
- memoryco.org for in apartment games – free for 30 days
- Free audio Books for vision impaired
- Houseparty App – will allow multiple people for chats and to play games with one another
- Pioneer Network: Combating Isolation with In Home Activities and resources
TALA will continue to monitor and provide updates to state, large county and large city orders. However, things are changing at a very rapid pace. We implore providers to follow the posted links to check for updates and to check for orders in smaller counties and cities.