As discussed on the LeadingAge member update calls, nursing homes are required to have a CLIA certificate of waiver to operate the new point-of-care testing devices that are being sent out through the HHS testing initiative. They are also required to comply with HHS Lab Data Reporting Guidance that requires, among other things, reporting all tests (positive or negative) conducted in your nursing home to the state/local health department.  We are still waiting for guidance from Dept of Health and RCS on if the normal reporting to DOH will fulfill this requirement.

CDC released updated guidance on Tuesday that helps explain these requirements.

You can also check out this new Q&A document from LeadingAge for answers to some of the questions they received this week.

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804