State to roll out repeat SNF staff testing; webinar scheduled for Tuesday. In a meeting yesterday afternoon with DeWine Administration officials, we learned that at the Governor's direction, they changed their plan from testing all Ohio SNF residents to repeating staff testing. The current thinking is to start the second round of staff testing August 3 and to repeat it every two weeks, eventually moving to every 10 days.
As point-of-care testing machines become available to Ohio centers, the state intends them to take the place of laboratory-based testing to fulfill the staff testing mandate. The state also plans to expand its own laboratory capacity in the near future. As described to us, the state's system for repeat staff testing during the laboratory will be similar to what they had in mind for resident testing - shipping swabs to the facilities to conduct their own swabbing on an assigned schedule. As with the first round, centers can opt out by arranging their own staff testing.
In an Enhanced Information Dissemination and Collection (EIDC) system notice last night, the state scheduled a webinar for Tuesday and asked SNFs to complete a new Survey Monkey for the staff testing. The text of the EIDC notice is below. It lists the time of the webinar as 11:00 a.m., but when you register, the time comes back at 11:30 a.m. We will verify the correct time before Tuesday.
The Congregate Care Unified Response Team will be hosting a webinar to provide updated guidance regarding nursing home testing. We had previously communicated that we would be moving onto resident testing; however, based upon the science we are going to switch gears and discuss with you retesting of staff.
Please register for Testing in Nursing Homes w/CCURT on Jul 28, 2020 11:00 AM EDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8324398544302206990
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Additionally, listed below is a link to a new survey that we need all Nursing Homes to complete by Tuesday July 27,2020 end of business.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/OHNFEmployeeRetesting
Another survey - this one for HOME Choice. Ohio's HOME Choice program asked us to encourage members to complete a customer experience survey. Here is their brief message:
Please take a moment and respond to the HOME Choice satisfaction survey by clicking on the link below. Your responses will assist in improving the program for those we serve. Thank you in advance for your time and for your continued support of the HOME Choice program.
HOME Choice Survey