COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Resources

The health, safety, and well-being of our members is our highest priority. Therefore, ANFP wishes to reinforce best practice with regard to preventative health and safety measures.

As experts in sanitation and safety, you understand and follow the principles of proper hygiene protocol. ANFP recommends the following health and safety actions as recommended by the World Health Organization:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
  • Maintain social distancing (three feet) from anyone coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Practice respiratory hygiene. (Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash).

Quick Links

Use these links to jump quickly to specific resources on this page!

ANFP COVID-19 Survey Resources
Vaccine Information & Resources
General COVID-19 Resources
Nursing Home & Long-Term Care Facility Resources
Sanitation & Safety Resources
Crisis & Emergency Preparedness Resources
CMS Federal Survey Webinar Series
Pandemic Micro Webinar Series
COVID-19 Response Live Q&A Webinars
ANFP Vendor Solutions Center
Member Well-Being
Archived Content

NEW! - CMS 1135 Waiver for Director of Food and Nutrition Services extended until April 16, 2022

CMS had previously issued a waiver for directors of food and nutrition services which granted an extension for training requirements that previously had a deadline of November 28, 2021. This allowed individuals until January 16, 2022, to enroll in training program, which was an extension of another 5 weeks to meet the requirements.

CMS has now extended that deadline an additional 90 days until April 16, 2022.

AHCA is encouraging individuals to pursue training to ensure compliance with the regulation when the waiver ends. To learn more from AHCA, click HERE.

NEW! - Vaccination Status for Food Vendor Delivery

CMS Verbal Response: 

Food Delivery Services:
“Do you provide contracted services for a LTC community? If answer is YES then will need to meet vaccination requirements.”
 
Vendors that provide services to LTC facility residents under contract or arrangement are considered staff and must be vaccinated.
 
Exceptions - no vaccination needed:
Infrequent “ad hoc” services-repairmen
Services Performed off-site 

ANFP COVID-19 Survey Resources

ANFP conducted surveys in October 2020, January 2021, and June 2021 delving into the effects COVID-19 has had and continues to have on ANFP members’ work environment. Downloadable resources are available below that provide data points specific to: Skilled Nursing/Long-Term Care, Acute Care, Senior Living, School, Correctional Facility, and Other. The data is organized by individual facility type in addition to reports containing all facility data. Download the resources most helpful to you!

Watch a video highlighting these changes in data on ANFPtv or download a PDF version here.

Vaccine Information & Resources

CDC Relaxes Dining Restrictions

Communal Dining
Fully vaccinated patients/residents can participate in communal dining without use of source control or physical distancing. If unvaccinated patients/residents are dining in a communal area (e.g., dining room) all patients/residents should use source control when not eating and unvaccinated patients/residents should continue to remain at least six feet from others.

Healthcare Personnel
In general, fully vaccinated HCP should continue to wear source control while at work. However, fully vaccinated HCP could dine and socialize together in break rooms and conduct in- person meetings without source control or physical distancing. If unvaccinated HCP are present, everyone should wear source control and unvaccinated HCP should physically distance from others.

View the full 4.27.2021 CDC Updates here.

You Are Essential Flyer

Mom's Vaccinated: When Can I Visit her Nursing Home?

AHCA/NCAL Get Vaccinated Flyer

AHCA/NCAL Guidance on Staffing Consideration Post-Vaccination for COVID-19

AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Vaccination: Tactics for Effectively Communicating with Staff

8 Things to Know About the US COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Key Messages for Essential Workers

You Are Essential Flyer

Per the CDC, You will still need to wear a mask and socially distance after getting each shot of the vaccine for now. As experts learn more about how COVID-19 vaccination may help reduce spread of the disease, CDC will continue to use the latest science to update the recommendations for protecting communities.

General COVID-19 Resources

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Infection Prevention Webinar
 Download a ‘cliff notes’ version of this webinar, including slides that stand out for nutrition professionals working in elder communities. Help educate yourself and others with these valuable charts & graphs.

Download the Slides

Infection Prevention/Control: What your SNF Needs to do NOW
Watch this webinar for a solid overview of regulations related to COVID-19 and infection prevention and control.

Learn More

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Overview from the CDC Coronavirus Webinar on 3/16/20

  • BIGGEST takeaway - THIS VIRUS IS NOT SHARED through food; it is spread person to person
  • CDC has not released any specific Food Guidance
  • Hand washing is the key
  • Clean and sanitize surfaces on a routine basis
  • Define your “high touch surfaces” and be diligent about cleaning them frequently
    • (those that come to mind: condiments, salt & pepper shakers, dining chair backs and arms, dining tables and any handrails leading into dining rooms)
  • High touch surfaces MUST have a regular cleaning regimen
  • Disinfectants and cleaners that are approved for healthcare use are effective agents
  • Salad bars: It is up to your establishment’s discretion. Use common sense and frequent cleaning of “high touch” areas
  • Social distancing: This is especially important for the elderly. Keep that in mind when determining congregate meals/communal dining situations. Work with your care community’s leadership to help decide how best to feed your elders
  • Check out the guidance from environmental cleaning recommendations at www.cdc.gov/COVID19
  • Touch Screens -high touch surfaces- if used in the dining areas be sure they are cleaned frequently
  • Sick employees - stay home! 7 days + 72 hrs. fever free is the guide
  • Long-term care communities/hospitals: Please work closely with your healthcare community’s infection preventionist professional on how best to lead your nutrition departments. These individuals are highly skilled in infection prevention and are in contact with state, local, and federal agencies and will help us keep ourselves, staff, and those we care for safe through this epidemic.

Additional questions that you may have may be sent to the Association of Food and Drug Officials.

E-mail afdo@afdo.org

COVID-19 Response Live Q&A Webinars

The live Q&A webinars cover the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on facilities across the country. Hear from various panelists who answer questions from participants regarding COVID-19 during these hour-long sessions. View recordings of each webinar below.

May 6, 2020 Recording
June 17, 2020 Recording
September 16, 2020 Recording
November 4, 2020 Recording
April 5, 2021 Recording

COVID-19 Response Live Q&A Webinars Sponsored by:

Fieldstone Logo

May 20, 2020 Recording
June 3, 2020 Recording

ANFP Vendor Solutions Center

The Vendor Solutions Center features ANFP Corporate Partners who wish to share their product and service information through an efficient and streamlined system. Various companies have added helpful COVID-19 resources. Access these helpful materials today!

Access

Member Well-Being

Your Psychological PPE to Promote Mental Health and Well-Being

  • The Calm App: Calm is a leading app for meditation and sleep. Join the millions experiencing lower stress, less anxiety, and more restful sleep with our guided meditations, Sleep Stories, breathing programs, masterclasses, and relaxing music. Recommended by top psychologists, therapists, and mental health experts. Learn More

  • PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event. Learn More

  • Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS), one of New York’s largest integrated health systems, announced today the launch of the Mount Sinai Center for Stress, Resilience and Personal Growth, a first-of-its-kind initiative in North America that is designed to address the psychosocial impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and lives of frontline health care providers at Mount Sinai and will serve as a model for institutions and communities around the globe. Learn More

  • Factors Associated With Mental Health Outcomes Among Health Care Workers Exposed to Coronavirus Disease 2019: This cross-sectional, survey-based, region-stratified study collected demographic data and mental health measurements from 1257 health care workers in 34 hospitals from January 29, 2020, to February 3, 2020, in China. Health care workers in hospitals equipped with fever clinics or wards for patients with COVID-19 were eligible. Learn more

Archived Content