New EUA for masks, relief funding news
New EUA for masks, relief funding news
Idaho Hospital Association Logo

COVID-19 Report to Members ~ August 10, 2020

Reports are sent on Mondays and Thursdays, unless there's breaking news.

Reimbursement & Policy

Clarification on PPP funds and relief for nursing homes

In a tweet last week, CMS Administrator Seema Verma indicated the agency does not intend for funds from the Paycheck Protection Program to impact Medicare payments to rural hospitals. No specific date for the additional guidance was provided.
Administrator Seema Verma @SeemaCMS
CMS does not intend for Paycheck Protection Program funds to impact Medicare payments to rural hospitals. More guidance will be out soon that’ll explain how hospitals should report those funds on their Medicare Cost Reports.  11:20 AM · Aug 6, 2020
In other relief funding news, the HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration which is a division of HHS) announced that $2.5 billion in provider relief funds will be distributed to long-term care facilities beginning mid-August. This is half of the funding announced in July that is directed to help increase testing, staffing, and PPE for long-term care facilities. Distribution of the second half of the funding is expected in the fall and will be based on prevalence of the virus locally as well as the facility’s ability to minimize spread and fatalities among residents.

Resources & Equipment

Umbrella EUA for surgical masks

On August 5, the FDA issued an umbrella emergency use authorization (EUA) for certain disposable, single-use surgical masks in response to concerns relating to insufficient supply and availability of FDA-approved surgical masks. This EUA authorizes the emergency use of surgical masks that meet certain performance requirements for use in healthcare settings by health care personnel (HCP) as personal protective equipment (PPE) to provide a physical barrier to fluids and particulate materials to prevent HCP exposure to respiratory droplets and large particles during FDA-approved surgical mask shortages resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Surgical masks that have been confirmed by FDA to meet the criteria under the EUA were included as Appendix A of the EUA.
As of August 10th, there appeared to be only one entry, for Outdoor Research Surgical Mask model #OR2159. Additional surgical masks will be added as warranted.
Surgical masks may be effective in blocking splashes and large-particle droplets; however, because of the loose fit between the surface of the surgical mask and the user’s face, leakage can occur around the edge of the mask when the user inhales. Therefore, a surgical mask may not provide the user with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection. For this reason, surgical masks are not recommended for use in aerosol generating procedures and any clinical conditions where there is significant risk of infection through inhalation exposure. In such clinical conditions, a filtering facepiece respirator (such as an N95 respirator) with a tight fit is recommended to provide a more reliable level of respiratory protection against pathogenic biologic airborne particulates. An FDA approved or cleared device should be used instead of the authorized surgical mask under EUA, when available.

Virtual Meetings, Education & Updates

AHA Briefing

AHA is holding a briefing to update hospital leaders on the latest negotiations for a new relief bill; HHS disbursements from the existing emergency fund; vaccine development and distribution planning; and more. If you are not able to join the call, IHA will provide a recap in Thursday’s Update. Due to the volume of expected participants, callers are encouraged to dial in at least 10-15 minutes early.
Thursday, August 13 ~ 9:15a-10:30a MTN / 8:15a-9:30a PAC
800.469.8538 / code 43576#

Webinar ~ Cybersecurity during COVID-19

Cybersecurity breaches are almost daily news and COVID-19 has amplified the problem, as “bad actors” seize upon the opportunity to take advantage of hospitals at their most vulnerable time.
In partnership with IHA and other western hospital associations, PYA Principal Barry Mathis will present Cybersecurity During COVID-19: A Look Behind the Scenes, a complimentary one-hour webinar as part of the Frontier States Town Hall Meeting.
Barry will cover information related to HIPAA, cybersecurity, and a special behind-the-scenes view into the tradecraft of bad actors. This unique presentation will include:
  • recent enforcement trends by the Office for Civil Rights;
  • the current environment for ransomware;
  • an opportunity to watch as Barry logs onto the Dark Web and shows you first-hand how bad actors operate; and
  • ideas for managing cybersecurity threats.
Cybersecurity During COVID-19: A Look Behind the Scenes
Wednesday, August 12 – 9a MT / 8a PAC
Register
Click to get our COVID-19 Updates
powered by emma
Subscribe to our email list.