CMS Notice for COVID September 2022

Aloha Maunalani Staff,

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released a new announcement that will impact the ways we deal with COVID-19 protocol. We have highlighted the items directly impacting us:

• Visitation for family members must adhere to the following:
  1. Masks are required in clinical areas;
  2. No more than 1 visitor in room if roommate is present;
  3. If more than 1 person in the room, we must account for social distancing (6ft.);
  4. Outdoor visits are encouraged;
  5. If outdoor visits occur, families can remove masks during visitation and during family gatherings for meals;
  6. Family gatherings of more than 6 persons are to be scheduled in advance;
  7. Upon entry into the clinical areas, masks are required.

• New admissions no longer require quarantine and new residents can be admitted into any available room in the facility. PCR tests are going to be requested from the referring facility by the Admissions department but not required. Antigen tests are required on the day of admission, if negative, again 48 hours after the 1^st negative test and, if negative, again 48 hours after the 2^nd negative test.  New admissions will be advised to wear face masks for the 10 days following their admission.

• Residents who leave the facility for 24 hours or longer will be managed as a new admission and the antigen protocol would be in place.

• Residents and staff who were exposed to an individual that is positive for COVID-19 will not need to quarantine but will need to wear face masks and have a series of 3 antigen tests – immediately after exposure but not earlier than 24 hours after the exposure, 48 hours after the 1^st negative test, then again 48 hours after the 2^nd negative test.  Report any exposure to your Manager.

• Masks are optional for non-clinical areas. For example, office settings, laundry, maintenance, housekeeping and boardroom meetings would be considered non-clinical areas.

• Asymptomatic staff members are no longer required to complete and submit antigen testing results based on the transmission rate for Honolulu County. Testing will be required if staff have been exposed or are showing signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

• PCR tests are no longer required for residents at discharge. Receiving facility may request PCR test but we will prioritize that an antigen test result is acceptable.

We continue to track all vaccinations for staff and resident and strongly encourage all of you to get the latest up to date vaccine. We report the information to the Federal government weekly and appreciate your cooperation to receive the most up to date vaccine for you, your families and our Kapuna.

If you have any questions, please contact Jerome Flores, Director of Finance/COO at 695-2803.