The Department of Social Services’ (DSS) has at least 40 PINs or provider information notices about Covid-19, some with good and useful information, and some with difficult direction. Local licensing offices want facilities to follow these PINs, update the first Covid-19 plan of operation, and now update facility emergency plans with a new, detailed Covid-19 plans of operation. One barrier, as DSS recently stated, the entire situation is “fluid,” subject to successive PINs updating previously issued PINs, changing “requirements,” and mandating a constant updating of facility procedures.
It would have been ideal if DSS had created a clear “here’s what we want” PIN, instead of successive PINs overturning previously issued PINs, amending previously issued PINs, and then present newly created requirements easily found and deciphered. Yet, credit to DSS’ Pamela Dickfoss (retiring at the end of November) in trying to keep facilities informed.
Most, if not all, PINs referenced other resources to follow or review: California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Center for Disease Control (CDC), and DSS. Also, each PIN directed facilities to comply with the “stricter provisions” without telling facilities which entity had the stricter provisions. Several PINs advised following CDC guidelines, but did not include those guidelines, and CDPH frequently required facilities to follow skilled nursing provisions making “social model facilities” compliance too complicated and difficult.
Is the Everbridge survey process a requirement? One PIN said facilities are “strongly encouraged” to complete the survey and return, whereas another PIN used the words “facilities should.” Technically, these are not legally required, but if it helps with tracking C-19 cases, do the surveys.
Facilities may be forced to pay for C-19 testing which went from testing “10% of staff every 14 days” to “25% of staff every 7 days.” Right now, a facility is not compelled to pay for testing, and testing is “free,” through public health sources, i.e. the county.
PIN 20-34-ASC addressed flu prevention including having staff and residents receive flu shots. It quoted the CDCs definition of what an epidemic outbreak is: “2 or more residents with onset of flu-like illness within 72 hours of each other.” Such an outbreak is a DSS-reportable event. Flu and C-19 is not a good combination for the industry.
For an easy and affordable C-19 addendum, go to Products and Services on our website. It’s just $9.99!! We also have our basic C-19 plan at the same site, and it’s free!