Interim Guidance Criteria for Return to Work
Maintaining appropriate staffing in healthcare is essential to providing a safe work environment for staff and safe patient care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidance for return to work criteria. As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, staffing shortages may likely occur due to staff exposures, illness, or need to care for family members at home. Healthcare must be prepared for potential staffing shortages and have plans and processes in place to mitigate them, including considerations for permitting staff to return to work. Decisions about return to work for staff with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 should be made in the context of local circumstances. ..

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently provided details on the Infection Control Focused Audits now being completed across the United States in agencies. These agency surveys are random and have been noted to require expedited turn-around of records for the agency response. CMS created the Guidance for Infection Control tool for use in these surveys to ensure compliance with infection control procedures expected during the pandemic. The tool provides a focused review of the critical elements associated with the transmission of COVID-19. To ensure that your processes are updated and effective during the pandemic, HealthCare ConsultLink (HCL) can assist with the review of your Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) with a specific focus on infection control as it relates to CMS Infection Control Focused Audits. ..

On April 27, 2020 Governor Greg Abbott announced in a press release the first phase of the State of Texas plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Details outlining phase one can be found in the Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas, along with checklists that outline the Texas Department of State Health Services’ (TDSHS) minimum standard health protocols for all businesses and individuals to follow. ..