Additional Details on Day Services for DD Providers. As we reported earlier this week, the Department of Health (ODH) amended their order on day services for people with developmental disabilities to allow an increase in group size to 12 people receiving services. The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) also revised the Provider Assurance Form to remove references to both the previous 10-person and the 50%-of-occupancy limitations. DODD’s Kim Hauck stated that providers who already received approval of their Provider Assurance Form do not need to request any changes or approvals to increase group size to 12. While it’s not required, if a provider wishes to add to their number of cohorts because of increased demand for services, they can ask the Office of System Supports and Standards (OSSAS) to do a virtual walk-through of the space to ensure it meets the requirements. In addition, providers now are only required to check for symptoms once a day, before providing services (either before transportation or upon arrival at day programming), but must utilize the DODD Symptom Monitoring Log. 

Monoclonal Antibodies - Member Feedback Requested. For some time, we at OHCA have encouraged members to consider administering monoclonal antibody (mAb) infusions for individuals who have early-stage COVID-19 infections that do not require additional oxygen or hospitalization. There are various ways to obtain and to administer mAb treatments, but administration and observation typically requires two hours of registered nurse time. In addition, current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines recommend waiting 90 days after a mAb infusion to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

We would like to learn whether are experiencing challenges that prevent them from administering mAb treatments to individuals who would qualify. Specifically, are you encountering any of the following barriers?

• Lack of a source to obtain mAbs.
  
• Lack of available, qualified staff to administer the infusion.
  
• Lack of access to a home health agency that is able to provide the treatment in your facility.
• Lack of access to another infusion provider (home infusion company, hospital infusion clinic).
• Concern about impact on vaccination.
  

Please email Erin Begin if one or more of these barriers is causing a problem for you.

Another Drop in LTC COVID-19 Cases. Today's ODH dashboard continued a seven-week trend of fewer COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities. The week of December 16, there were 8,426 reported new cases between residents and staff. This week, the total is down to 2,629, nearly a 70% drop and the lowest figure since the week of October 28. Since April 15, 2020, the state has recorded more than 79,000 cases in long-term care. COVID-19-related deaths in long-term care also fell slightly this week, to 172. Mortality is a trailing indicator, so we can expect further reductions in the coming weeks even if cases level off. Clearly the decline in COVID-19 activity in facilities reflects lower community spread (today's new cases were 3,991), but we believe vaccination of residents and staff members also has an impact.

ODH Vaccine Update. Today, the ODH Vaccine Providers Workgroup, which actually consists of associations representing providers, had its first meeting in two weeks. ODH's Lance Himes, as always, presented an update on Ohio's vaccination program. Of interest, Mr. Himes reported that Ohio's weekly allocation of about 146,000 doses will rise to 168,750 doses over the next few weeks. Fifty-seven percent of the doses will be Moderna. Mr. Himes repeated Governor Mike DeWine's comment yesterday that the state has a plan for vaccinating new people in congregate care settings after the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care ends. He said he understands providers' frustration with the state's directive prohibiting first shots on third clinics. He attributed the decision to the use of the Phizer/BioNTech vaccine in the clinics. He indicated the state is still working on the plan for the future. It will involve long-term care pharmacies, and Mr. Himes expects it to roll out in the next week or two.

Don’t Miss February 16 OSHA Recordkeeping Webinar. With the high number of COVID-19 infections occurring in the long-term services and supports workforce, understanding how to investigate and to document whether or not COVID-19 was “work-related” becomes very important for preparing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300A logs and for the March 2 electronic submission of the Injury Tracking Application (ITA). This webinar features an experienced OSHA consultant along with a Compliance Specialist from OSHA, who will walk through OSHA’s latest guidelines for recording coronavirus-related claims as well as hospitalizations and deaths. The presenters will provide helpful tips and documentation tools to help you comply with important recordkeeping requirements and avoid an OSHA audit. To learn more and to register, please click here.