Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources

Mass Senior Care Association Offers Resources and Support to Help You Protect Your Long Term Care Community

Long term care facilities practice quality infection control procedures every day however, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has heightened the focus on infection prevention and control. Mass Senior Care Association is providing resources and support to assist long term care facilities with issues surrounding COVID-19. Please check this dedicated page daily as we provide updates on this rapidly evolving healthcare challenge.

Most current information

Mass Senior Care Updates

Mass Senior Care Shares PPE and Other Resources
Mass Senior Care Promotes Stories of Caring
Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS)
- Prioritization of Survey Activities
  CMS released guidance prioritizing and suspending most federal and state survey agency surveys, and delaying revisit surveys, for the next three weeks beginning on March 20th. For non-IJ related onsite surveys that are currently in process, survey teams are instructed to end the survey and exit the facility. (March 23, 2020)
- Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Nursing Homes (REVISED)
  CMS has issued new guidance based on the newest recommendations from the CDC. It directs nursing homes to significantly restrict visitors and nonessential personnel, as well as restrict communal activities inside nursing homes. (March 13, 2020)
- Guidance for use of Certain Industrial Respirators by Health Care Personnel
  Recent CDC and FDA guidance expands the types of face masks healthcare workers may use in situations involving COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. (March 10, 2020)
- Suspension of Survey Activities
  CMS will re-prioritize surveys to conduct focus surveys about infection control for facilities that have had an infection control deficiency in the past. (March 4, 2020)

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH)
- Guidance on Optimization of PPE in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  Guidance for prioritizing and optimizing use of PPE in Massachusetts during the COVID-19 response. (March 22, 2020)
- DPH Circular Letter DHCQ 20-03-702
  DPH updated policies and procedures for restricting resident visitors in nursing homes and rest homes and PPE recommendation. (March 16, 2020)
- Testing of Persons with Suspect COVID-19 through the Massachusetts State Public Health Laboratory
  DPH has made some changes in testing prioritization, these are based on the CDC’s current person under investigation (PUI) criteria. (March 13, 2020)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  DPH updated guidance on strategies to optimize the use of PPE for health care facilities. (March 4, 2020)
- DPH Update for Long-Term Care Facilities
  New guidance assists facilities to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 and prevent its potential spread in LTCFs. (March 3, 2020)

Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA)
- EOEA PPE Practices in ALR (April 16, 2020)
- EOEA Revised FAQs
  EOEA issued revised FAQs to address the most pressing questions from ALR operators regarding visitors and congregate dining/activities. (March 24, 2020)
- Reporting Non-Resident Incidents of COVID-19
  EOEA has created the attached excel form for reporting status of any non-resident (employee, outside provider, family) who is known to the ALR to be suspected of having or received a positive COVID-19 test result. (March 24, 2020)
- Amended Assisted Living Residence Operators Guidance and Policies and Procedures to Protect Residents, Facilities, and Services during the COVID-19 Outbreak
  EOEA issued amended guidance for Assisted Living Residences on a number of issues including visitors policy and procedures, activities and communal dining. (March 16, 2020)

Additional Resources

U.S. Department of Labor releases new guidance in response to Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers clinical guidance, situation updates, and more.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has information for the public and providers on efforts within the Commonwealth.
American Health Care Association (AHCA/NCAL) has information and resources for long term care providers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides rolling updates from around the globe.