ARTICLE
TO: Hospital and Health System CNOs, CMOs, Case Managers, Infection Prevention, Quality, and Emergency Management FROM: Mary C. Mayhew, FHA President, and CEO SUBJECT: COVID-19 Status Communication Tool DATE: February 1, 2022 To Our Members: As we focus on providing the best possible health care to all Floridians, the challenges we currently face are daunting. Despite the availability of new treatments and vaccines to address the COVID-19 virus, new mutations are developing and affecting the health care community. Staffing shortages impact us all, from those leaving the field or pursuing other opportunities to those infected by the virus while remaining staff continues to provide quality care. Each of us has our challenges, which include: Ability to transfer/discharge patients between hospital and post-acute settings in a timely manner. This impacts hospitals’ ability to free up beds for other patients who might be holding in the emergency department and affects post-acute and assisted living facilities’ ability to appropriately manage their residents who may need a higher level of care. Ongoing efforts to manage the virus in all health care settings as cases in the community rise. Complying with state and federal regulations amid a staffing crisis, specifically: Nursing homes must staff at a minimum of 1.0 licensed nursing hours and 2.5 certified nursing assistant hours per resident per day. Facilities are prohibited from accepting new admissions for six (6) days if they fail to meet the state minimum staffing requirements for two consecutive days (Ch. 400.141 (1)(n) and 400.23(3). Assisted living facilities cannot admit individuals who exhibit signs and symptoms of a communicable disease that is likely to be transmitted to other residents or staff (59A-36.006, FAC). Good communication is our best ally in working together to fight these challenges. Attached is a jointly developed Patient/Resident COVID-19 Status Communication Tool, which we encourage you to use when transferring patients between all health care settings (hospital to post-acute and assisted living, post-acute and assisted living to hospital.) This tool is voluntary. It should be sent with the currently required forms such as the 5000-3008, 1823, and the PASRR. It should also be shared with EMS when transferring patients among the health care settings. Please note that all emergency rules enacted by the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health have been rescinded. Patients transferred from a hospital to a post-acute care setting no longer require two negative COVID tests before discharge. There are no restrictions on transferring COVID-19 patients who have been medically cleared for discharge to a post-acute setting. Post-acute settings must follow CDC Guidelines for quarantine and isolation for any patient or resident who is COVID-19 positive. We understand Florida’s health care community is facing one of the most challenging times of the century, and you are the true heroes for the patient care you demonstrate every day. We are confident that continuing to work together is key to your success and we hope this new communication tool and update on requirements will help smooth the transition between health care settings. Thank you for all of your work, Mary C. Mayhew President and CEO Florida Hospital Association Emmett Reed CEO Florida Health Care Association Steve Bahmer President and CEO LeadingAge Gail Matillo President and CEO Florida Senior Living Association Veronica J. Catoe CEO Florida Assisted Living Association [[UNSUBSCRIBELINK]] from all FHA e-communications. 306 East College Avenue | Tallahassee, FL 32301 | Website
[[UNSUBSCRIBELINK]] from all FHA e-communications. 306 East College Avenue | Tallahassee, FL 32301 | Website