North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Launches Testing Initiative for Nursing Homes
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"We are using every tool we have to respond to COVID-19," said NCDHHS Secretary
NCDHHS already recommends that nursing homes with one or more cases test all staff and residents. This initiative further makes testing available to all nursing homes to conduct a baseline test of all residents and staff.
"While testing is a key component of our COVID-response strategy, it is important to remember that the actions we take as a result of that testing are most important," said NCDHHS Section Chief of Chronic Disease and Injury,
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"We continue to work closely with the state to protect the residents and staff in our skilled nursing facilities. This testing initiative is another example of how the state is providing our facilities with valuable tools and resources," said
These actions build on earlier measures
* Issuing Executive Order 138 which codified public health and safety requirements for long-term care facilities, including requiring staff to wear surgical masks and screenings all staff and residents for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 daily.
* Distributing PPE to over 3,000 state-licensed long-term care facilities, including 14-day supplies of gloves, procedure masks and face shields.
* Conducting remote infection prevention and control consultation with skilled nursing and other long-term facilities across the state through a partnership with the
* Providing targeted funding to support nursing homes and adult care homes to provide the intensive care needed for residents with COVID-19 and limit the spread of the virus to other residents and staff.
* Providing a toolkit to support long-term care facilities in preparing for and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in their facility. The toolkit contains an infection control assessment, infection staffing worksheet, infection prevention educational resources and other tools.
* Helping to fill staffing shortages in long-term care facilities and other health care facilities through a partnership with
* Implementing several temporary regulatory changes to assist providers in caring for their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adopting an emergency rule granting reciprocity to nurse aides certified in other states to work as nurse aides in
* Providing virtual trainings for more than 2,000 staff working in long-term care sites. Trainings are available online at www.ncahec.net/covid-19/webinars.
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