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!
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
ANFP has gathered information from this wonderful Infection Prevention webinar for two helpful tools:
1. CMS timeline of COVID-19 directives that includes the dates published along with the links to each CMS Publication.
CMS COVID-19 QSO - Regulatory Memos Timeline
2. 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.
Webinar Slides Summary
Kudos to all working in nursing homes as we have done well at keeping COVID-19 at bay in our care communities but we still have lots of work to do in terms of infection prevention and control. Watch this webinar for a solid overview of what regulatory waters we have been swimming in since this pandemic entered our lives. Click the button below to watch the webinar.
Infection Prevention Webinar
CMS released its Interim Final Rule Updating Requirements for Notification of Confirmed and Suspected COVID-19 Cases Among Residents and Staff in Nursing Homes which will go into effect on May 8, 2020 in the Federal Register with its 292 pages. Food and Nutrition Services 483.60 does not play a role in these pages. ANFP is waiting on information from the July 2019 Changes to the Final Rule in regards to the Requirements of the Food & Nutrition Services Director and the CDM, CFPP credential.
View the Full CMS Document
Access the ANFP Meal Service Re-Introduction Considerations Resource
CMS is modifying the requirements at 42 CFR §§ 483.60(h)(1)(i) and 483.160(a) regarding required training of paid feeding assistants. Specifically, CMS is modifying the minimum time frame requirements in these sections, which require this training to be a minimum of 8 hours.
- CMS is modifying to allow that the training can be a minimum of 1 hour in length.
- CMS is not waiving any other requirements under 42 CFR §483.60(h) related to paid feeding assistants or the required training content at 42 CFR §483.160(a)(1)-(8), which contains infection control training and other elements. Additionally,
- CMS is also not waiving or modifying the requirements at 42 CFR §483.60(h)(2)(i), which requires that a feeding assistant must work under the supervision of a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN).
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