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Testing Guidance Information
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Yesterday, NMHCA/NMCAL sent a new letter of direction (LOD) via the Covid19 Bulletin. The LOD refers all providers to the CMS guidance, so we have provided a summary below.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) memo, QSO-20-38-NH, which was revised in March of this year, calls for residents and staff to be tested under the following circumstances:
- Close contact or exposure to someone in the facility that has tested positive for Covid-19.
- Facility-wide testing should occur, regardless of vaccination status, if the positive case can’t identify close contacts.
- Anyone, residents and staff alike, who has symptoms or signs of COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status.
- Routine testing of staff who are NOT up-to-date on their vaccinations should be based on county transmission rates. (up-to-date is defined as having the initial vaccine(s) plus 1 booster when required, which is 5 months after the second dose for Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, or two months after the J&J/Janssen vaccine.)
- Low transmission (less than 5%) does not require testing.
- Moderate transmission (between 5 and 7.99%) requires once a week testing;
- High transmission (greater than 10% spread), requires twice a week testing
County positivity rates may be found which can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Integrated County View site at https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.
The LOD also references the Aging and Long Term Services Department (ALTSD) distributing rapid tests to facilities and facilities being responsible for the cost of testing moving forward. NMHCA/NMCAL has been working with ALTSD to help plan for the distribution of these tests. We are waiting for additional information on the final plans, but we can provide a brief overview.
ALTSD was able to secure 400,000 rapid tests for distribution to facilities at no charge. The number of tests you receive will be based on your bed count and facility type. NMHCA/NMCAL is aware that the Curative contract will not be renewed, but the end date has not been provided to staff. We have reached out to ALTSD for more information.
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MOAB Training- VBP Requirement
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NMHCA is hosting 3 virtual MOAB trainings for facilities that still need to complete the requirement to qualify for the foundational payment for the NM Medicaid Value-Based Purchasing program. These sessions are limited to 20 people each and attendees will be required to have a camera and microphone.
The May 3-13 CMA class will now be virtual. Due to having to mail materials, registration will be cut off on Thursday. There are still spots available, but the class is limited to 10 participants, so get your candidates registered today!
There will be a meeting for Administrators or Nurse Educators on Friday, April 29, 2022, to discuss the format and the responsibility of the facility. Administrators and nurse educators with candidates in the class should watch their email for the invitation.
Certified Medication Aide Training -
May 3-13, 2022
In-person training at NMHCA/NCAL
Register Here
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Best of the Best
The Best of the Best is a statewide awards program sponsored by the New Mexico Health Care Association and New Mexico Center for Assisted Living. It coincides with the Association’s annual convention every August. Last year, more than 100 caregivers were nominated in seven categories: Administrative Support, Resident Support, Direct Caregiver, Licensed Nurse, Manager, Nurse Manager, and Administrator of the Year.
Employee recognition programs are a valuable means of getting the most out of your workforce. They are inexpensive to implement and can ensure that employees feel valued both by management and their peers and show them that their accomplishments are recognized and valued. They can generate a host of benefits for you and your staff, improving productivity while reducing costly employee turnover.
2022 Nominations are now open!!
The Deadline for submissions is July 8, 2022
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Call for Presentations!
NMHCA/NMCAL is planning for the 2022 Convention and Exposition, August 17-19, 2022. If you have any suggestions for education or would like to be a presenter, please contact Tracy Alter at talter@nmhca.org
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2022 Workshops
MOAB Training
May 27, 2022
Virtual Training
Register Here
MOAB Training
June 1, 2022
Virtual Training
Register Here
MOAB Training
June 2, 2022
Virtual Training
Register Here
Passenger Assistance Trainer Course
On-Demand, Virtual
Register Here
NMHCA Staff Contact Information
Vicente Vargas, Executive Director,
v.vargas@nmhca.org, 505-710-8560
Patricia Whitacre, RN, Director of Clinical and Quality Services,
pwhitacre@nmhca.org, 505-301-3085
Tracy Alter, Senior Director of Member Services,
talter@nmhca.org, 505-440-3806
AHCA/NCAL Online Training
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