Katie,
See below re: the annual fit testing waived, but not the initial fit testing – if that was completed. If a new model/type or weight loss, they have to be fit tested again. At some of our locations
we have had good luck with the county health department providing fit testing if our hospitals were unable to perform. Hope this helps! Joelle
Proper respirator use is essential for healthcare workers who are expected to interact with patients with infectious respiratory diseases. The Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires healthcare facilities to maintain a respiratory
protection program that specifies requirements such
as annual fit testing, medical clearance, and training. Initial fit testing is required before using a respirator.
In addition to annual fit testing,
fit testing is required when there are changes in an employee’s physical condition
that could affect respirator fit and when a worker must wear a new model or type of tight-fitting respirator, such as the common N95 filtering facepiece respirator.
Note: OSHA issued Temporary Enforcement Guidance – Healthcare
Respiratory Protection Annual Fit Testing for N95 Filtering Facepieces During the COVID-19 Outbreak – on March 14, 2020.
This temporary enforcement guidance suspends the annual fit testing requirement of N95 filtering facepiece respirators.
However, initial fit tests for healthcare personnel with the same model, style, and size respirator are still required. The temporary enforcement guidance on OSHA’s website.
Joelle Goldade RN, BSN, CHPN, COS-C, HCS-D
Director of Clinical Operations
CHI Health at Home – Home Health and Hospice
4816 Amber Valley Parkway
Fargo ND 58104
Cell (primary number): 701.640.6209 | Office: 701.237.8147 | F: 701.237.8188
joellegoldade@catholichealth.net
The information contained in this electronic mail communication and the accompanying pages and/or attachments is intended solely for the use of the addressee. Unauthorized use, disclosure,
distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. The information contained in this document is highly confidential and may be subject to legally enforceable privileges. If you have received this communication in error, please inform us
of the erroneous delivery by return e-mail, and delete all copies. Thank you for your cooperation.
From: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org>
On Behalf Of Judy M. Giel
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2020 7:46 AM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: Re: ED Update
CAUTION: This email is not from a CHI source. Only click links or open attachments you know are safe.
Please send as an attachment all spam/phishing and unusual emails to
spam@catholichealth.net.
Hi Katie,
I recommend a double check on the fit test waiver-I’m concerned about eliminating that key step in the process of ensuring adequate protection for our workforce. We've heard nothing about
a waiver for fit testing. We do it on all our customer-facing employees and the actual test and solutions vary according to the different manufactured versions of available masks. Hope this helps!
Judy
From:
mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org> on behalf of Troumbly, Katie J <ktroumb1@Fairview.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 4:45:04 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org>
Subject: RE: ED Update
I am appreciative of your teams’ work, Kathy! Side note, I did not receive the initial email from you, but received all of the responses.
Only 2 positive cases in Itasca County – no positives for our agency. Two staff have tested negative. We do have N95s and would take positive cases with aerosolizing treatments although we would try to provide care at least 2 hours after
a treatment, if possible. My staff have been fit tested, but I thought that I heard that fit testing was waived as long as employees have education on how the masks should properly fit.
We are doing fine thus far, waiting for the storm to hit in our area. Also, hoping that people stay the course and continue to follow the Governor’s directive.
Katie
From:
mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org>
On Behalf Of Andrea Jung
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 3:06 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: RE: ED Update
Thanks Kathy! I am also grateful for MHCA.
We had a home care client in an AL that tested positive. He had very mild symptoms and recovered in 14 days. We have had 3 nurses tested.
2 were sick with something but both tested negative. The third employee also tested negative, she had a temperature over 100 one day, no other symptoms. The facility that she visited requested that she be tested (unnecessary in my opinion). We would take
COVID + if they are recovering and if they do not require any aerosolizing procedures. We do not have any N95. And if we did, we might not have any way to fit test them. We haven’t had any referrals yet either. But we are ready! AJ
From:
mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org>
On Behalf Of Goldade, Joelle
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 1:56 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: RE: ED Update
Kathy,
Thank you for your help with this – beyond grateful for MN Home Care support truly. We have had one hospice client in a SNF test positive. This positive was one of the first prior to the SNF limiting all hospice
staff (before they allowed only RNs). They have now turned 180° and allowed RNs back in. Staff have screened positive, none have tested positive. Yes, we would take COVID+ patients, none yet referred to us.
Joelle Goldade RN, BSN, CHPN, COS-C, HCS-D
Director of Clinical Operations
CHI Health at Home – Home Health and Hospice
4816 Amber Valley Parkway
Fargo ND 58104
Cell (primary number): 701.640.6209 | Office: 701.237.8147 | F: 701.237.8188
joellegoldade@catholichealth.net
The information contained in this electronic mail communication and the accompanying pages and/or attachments is intended solely for the use of the addressee. Unauthorized use,
disclosure, distribution, or copying is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. The information contained in this document is highly confidential and may be subject to legally enforceable privileges. If you have received this communication in error, please
inform us of the erroneous delivery by return e-mail, and delete all copies. Thank you for your cooperation.
From:
mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org>
On Behalf Of Susan Morgan
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:58 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: RE: ED Update
CAUTION: This email is not from a CHI source. Only click links or open attachments you know are safe. Please send as an attachment all spam/phishing
and unusual emails to spam@catholichealth.net.
Thanks Kathy. It’s nice to hear what is happening with the requests regarding relaxed regulation & oversight in this difficult time of providing care & wanting to focus more on the clients & less on the sometimes
burdensome rules. We certainly appreciate your advocacy for Home Care!
Susan Morgan, RN, BSN, PHN
| Chief Program Officer
Office: 952-935-3515 | Fax:
952-935-7112 | Cell: 952-388-9043
12600 Whitewater Dr, Suite 100
Minnetonka, MN 55343
Email: susanmorgan@accracare.org | Website:
www.accracare.org
Alexandria | Bemidji | Brainerd | Duluth | Fergus Falls | Grand Rapids | Minnetonka | Lake City | Moorhead | New Ulm | Red Wing
Confidentiality Notice: The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of
this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If
you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the message and deleting it from your computer. Thank you
From:
mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org>
On Behalf Of Kathy Messerli
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:49 PM
To: MHCABOD@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: ED Update
Greetings!
How are you all coping? We’d be interested in hearing if you have clients and/or staff that have tested positive. Are you taking COVID hospital discharge patients? Having that information helps us better advocate
for you. As you know a lot of attention is on the assisted livings and nursing homes right now because the majority of cases have been in those congregate settings. But the work you are doing is critical and we are working to keep that message front and center.
Advocacy
In general, the number of COVID-related meetings have increased. Karen and I have split them up so we can keep you informed of the newest information. A sampling of the meetings includes: MN Health Care Tactics,
MN State Emergency Operations Center – LTC, Metro Coalition for home care & hospice (emergency preparedness), NAHC Town Hall, Forum of State Associations. There have been several other activities in the past couple of weeks:
·
As I noted in my last update, there is a need for additional language for HCN & therapy to be ordered by NPPs in MN. Kevin was working on a couple options and I had a good conversation with my Senator, Sen John Hoffman. We made an impact and this is
now being viewed as urgent due to COVID-19 so at this point, it’s in the policy bill.
·
The MN Senate formed a COVID-19 Working Group that is addressing a wide array of issues. I sent them a letter with our outstanding priorities to keep home care on their radar.
·
We were asked by a member about their liability should they unintentionally pass COVID-19 along from one client to another. After some investigating, I learned that the 2 nursing home associations and the hospital association were working on this issue.
We have our name on a letter that was sent to the Governor requesting an Executive Order to provide immunity from civil, administrative, and criminal liability.
·
On the federal level, NAHC wrote another letter to CMS and collaborated with the hospital associations. MHA agreed to sign onto that letter, at my request. NAHC was also working with LeadingAge at the national level so MN’s LeadingAge is also on the
letter. MN was well represented. The ask in this letter was to lift some regulatory barriers, with a focus on telemedicine and signed documents.
I have referenced several letters and don’t want to bombard you with too much during this busy time. If you’d like to see any of them, please let me know. I’d be happy to forward to you.
Misc
·
Able Care Connect (part of the Goodman Group) joined this past week.
·
There are several grants and funding options available for home care agencies. I hope you have seen the information on our COVID-19 webpage.
·
Congressman Phillips’ staff told me that they are hoping there will be some funding for 501c6 orgs in the next round. MHCA can then decide whether to apply for any funding. The latest word is that the US may not be able to get back to ‘normal’ for 18
months when vaccinations are available and utilized. I don’t know what to expect for mandates on large groups during this time. MHCA could be financially impacted if we are not able to host our planned conferences and/or if we see a dip in membership due to
financial concerns among our agency members.
As always, MHCA is here for you!
Be Well,
Kathy Messerli
Executive Director | Minnesota HomeCare Association
2550 University Ave. W., Ste. 350 S | St. Paul, MN 55114-1900
Direct: 651.635.0038 | Main: 651.635.0607
Toll-free: 866.607.0607 | Fax: 651.635.0043
www.mnhomecare.org
| kmesserli@mnhomecare.org
Mission: MHCA represents and supports Minnesota home care providers committed to high quality home care services.
Vision: MHCA will shape the home care landscape to improve and sustain quality home care services.
Links contained in this email have been replaced by ZixProtect Link Protection. If you click on a link in the email
above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination. If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning.
Caution: This email is both proprietary and confidential, and not intended for transmission to (or receipt by) any unauthorized person(s). If you believe that you have received this email in error, do not read
any attachments. Instead, kindly reply to the sender stating that you have received the message in error. Then destroy it and any attachments. Thank you.
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message (including any attachments) may contain confidential client information. The information is intended only for the use of the individual or entity
to whom it is addressed. If you're not the addressee or the employee or agent responsible to deliver this e-mail to its intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any review, use, dissemination, distribution, disclosure, copying or taking of any action
in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately, delete this message from your computer and ask your network administrator to delete it from any
storage or back up files.
The information contained in this message is privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named. If the reader
of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby on notice that you are in possession of confidential and privileged information. Any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. You will immediately notify
the sender of your inadvertent receipt and return the original message to the sender.
This message was secured by
Zix®.