The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the University of New Mexico’s Project ECHO and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) partnered to establish the National Nursing Home COVID Action Network. The new network will provide free training and mentorship to nursing home staff across the U.S., intended to, “increase the implementation of evidence-based infection prevention and safety practices to protect residents and staff.” The network was established as part of $2 billion in funding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services received from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to improve infection control in nursing homes. Goals of the National Nursing Home COVID Action Network include:

• Prevent SARS-COV-2 from entering nursing homes where it has not been detected.
• Identify residents and staff who have been infected with SARS-COV-2.
• Prevent the spread of SARS-COV-2 between staff, residents, and visitors.
• Provide safe and appropriate care to residents with mild and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19.
• Ensure staff members have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement best-practice safety measures to protect residents and themselves; and
• Reduce social isolation for residents, families, and staff during these difficult times.

More than 15,000 nursing homes that are certified to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs will be eligible to participate in a 16-week training program developed by IHI. Training and mentorship will be provided through Project ECHO

Questions?

Contact:

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