March 25, 2021 IDH Issues Updated Communication Guidelines – Cumulative Updates Required on a Weekly Basis As a follow-up to the LTC Newsletter from March 18, 2021, the Indiana Department of Health (IDH) has issued updated Communication Guidelines, which now require long-term care facilities (both nursing facilities and assisted living communities) to issue cumulative COVID-19 updates to residents and their designated representatives on a weekly basis, rather than a daily basis. However, whenever a new confirmed COVID-19 infection is identified, or whenever three (3) or more residents or staff with new onset of respiratory symptoms occur within 72 hours of each other, the long-term care facility must communicate the new case(s) to residents and their designated representatives by the next calendar day.  Read more. Nursing Home Providers Can Now Register With CHIRP – COVID-19 Vaccine Coordination The Children and Hoosier Immunization Registry Program (CHIRP) is a secure web-based application that is administered by the IDH.  An immunization registry program is designed to permanently store a person’s immunization records in an electronic format and are confidential as part of the person’s medial record. Read more. Extension of Temporary Health Care Licenses On March 22, 2021, Governor Holcomb issued Executive Order 20-07, allowing those temporary health care licenses issued to date under the public health emergency to be extended for an additional 90-day period.  This is the fourth extension since the initial approval. Read more. IDH Webinar Next Week on Survey Process | April 1, 2021 from 12-1 p.m. EST On April 1, 2021, the IDH team will be providing a presentation to nursing home providers and licensed assisted living providers related to the survey process and any changes to expect. This is an opportunity to listen and ask questions that will better prepare for the resumption of recertification surveys. Read more.  ACCESS IDH WEBINAR RECORDING AND HANDOUTS - MARCH 25, 2021 Other COVID-19 Updates & Resources Maintenance Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for LTCFs IDH Issues Updated Quarantine Guidance for Fully Vaccinated LTC Staff COVID-19 Guidance for NEMT Drivers Transporting Nursing Facility Residents IDH Issues Updated COVID-19 LTC Infection Control Guidance & Standard Operating Procedure VISIT COVID-19 INFORMATION HUB FOR MORE UPDATES Questions? Please contact: Lori Davenport at ldavenport@ihca.org Zach Cattell at zcattell@ihca.org Connect With Us Contact Us  www.ihca.org  800-466-IHCA  Share this email: