And……MHCA realizes how confusing this grid is. In about 6 pt font at the bottom, it states that home care is to follow these guidelines also. The new coalition we formed is working on a home care specific one – to minimize the confusion out there!

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.

From: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org> On Behalf Of Goldade, Joelle
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 3:53 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: RE: Congregate vs. Home Care

That is what came out of our surveys and I confirmed and reconfirmed several times, YES we have to wear eye protection for all patients regardless of COVID status.

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

http://CHIHealthatHome.info

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From: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org <mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org> On Behalf Of Susan Morgan
Sent: Wednesday, July 08, 2020 3:50 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: RE: Congregate vs. Home Care

USE CAUTION - EXTERNAL EMAIL

HI Greg,

Are you having a regular survey or an infection control survey?

Our HH & AL staff do wear both masks & face shields at every shift or visit, regardless of whether the client(s) have COVID or not.

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

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 Greg Von Arx
Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 3:17 PM
To: mhcabod@list.mnhomecare.org
Subject: FW: Congregate vs. Home Care

Hey Guys,

Wondering if you guys have run into this? Long and short of attached is we had one surveyor tell us we have to follow the congregate care rules of having to wear eye wear for all clients whether COVID positive or not. Clearly we are not congregate setting, but we have one surveyor holding us to this guideline. Are you having all staff wear eye protection at all times during the time in the home?

Thanks

Greg Von Arx

Recover Health

5900 Green Oak Drive, Suite 200

Minnetonka, MN 55343

office: 952-926-9808 ext. 1001

direct: 952-358-3268

#RecoverStrong

From: Sue Reading
Sent: Wednesday, July 1, 2020 2:21 PM
To: Greg Von Arx <gvonarx@recoverhealth.org>
Subject: RE: Congregate vs. Home Care

Hi Greg,

Can we talk about this? We don’t have to today – but next week?

Wondering if you would want to address this issue with Home Care Association? ……sorry it is a little lengthy – but wanted to give you context.

The MN surveyors seem to be under the impression that “congregate” living applies to home care. The reason that is significant is that HCW in congregate settings must wear eye protection (goggles or shields) for all patients – all the time and guidelines are stricter. This misinterpretation could be costly as eye protection averages about $2 (per Emily’s ) info.

They are using a “contingency” grid to support their position – there are multiple problems with applying congregate to home care AND it is new to their approach as well:

The grid used in May does not define home care as congregate – the definitions on the June grid does
Their own website: https://link.zixcentral.com/u/989a2cf5/0HkHHFjB6hGUFLcrh3soMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.state.mn.us%2Fdiseases%2Fcoronavirus%2Fhcp%2Feval.html - addressing current guidance for testing – does NOT include home care in the definition

Current guidance for testing

This guidance is intended to assist with prioritization of testing and is not intended to limit testing. Congregate settings are referred to throughout this guidance and include (but are not limited to) acute care, assisted living, skilled nursing, group homes, long-term care facilities, substance use disorder treatment centers, homeless shelters, and correctional facilities.

Home care cannot be grouped into the settings that are congregate ~ it is a gross misrepresentation of a single family home generally housing 1-2 people (if more, they are generally around with care – or can be requested to move to another room).

Congregate living requires much stricter guidelines BECAUSE by it challenges the tenets of social distancing

definition (noun. a type of housing in which each individual or family has a private bedroom or living quarters but shares with other residents a common dining room, recreational room, or other facilities)

We are waiting for St Cloud to ‘clarify’ with her supervisor and we will see what happens with Grand Rapids ( in survey today). The surveyor seemed pretty determined – but was going to check with her surveyor

Sue Reading

Chief Compliance Officer

Recover Health

952-358-3271 Ext: 1020

_______________

5900 Green Oak Drive, Suite 200

Minnetonka MN 55343

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