Document provides information about bacteria that can grow in water systems Infection prevention experts from the Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) have created a guidance document about Legionnaires’ disease, which is a very serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) caused by bacteria called Legionella.
This bacteria is of concern to residential facilities because it can grow in water systems, such as hot and cold tap water, in shower heads and sink faucets, whirlpool spas, cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air-cooling systems for buildings), decorative fountains and water features, hot water tanks and heaters, and large, complex plumbing systems. An outbreak could be potentially more dangerous at a facility populated by residents over age 65 with risk factors such as diabetes or other health issues. View or download the guidance document under the “Legionella Infection and Prevention” section at dpbh.nv.gov/assistedliving/.
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Technical bulletin provides background and details on symptoms, transmission, treatment and testing On April 6, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform clinicians and public health departments in the United States about two confirmed outbreaks of Marburg virus disease (MVD): one in Equatorial Guinea and one in Tanzania. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that these two outbreaks are related; most experts agree that these represent two independent animal-to-human spillover events. To date, no confirmed cases of MVD related to these outbreaks have been reported in the United States or other countries outside Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania.
The Division of Public and Behavioral Health has drafted a technical bulletin that provides information about these outbreaks to increase awareness of the risk of imported cases to the United States. It also summarizes CDC’s recommendations for case identification, testing and clinical laboratory biosafety considerations in the United States. Visit the DPBH Technical Bulletins web page and scroll to the “Other Topics” section. New federal guidance means there is additional information for facilities to include on reports .The Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised the guidance in Chapter 5 of the State Operations Manual (SOM) to strengthen the oversight of nursing home complaints and facility-reported incidents (FRIs). The goal of the federal complaint/incident process is to establish a system that will assist in promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of residents, patients and clients receiving health care services.
Below is a summary of changes to the FRI form for skilled nursing facilities:
Dear Health Facility Licensee,
Since early 2021, many health facilities have been providing approved cultural competency training (CCT). By providing this training to your agents/employees who provide care to patients/residents, these trained staff may better understand the patients/residents who have different cultural backgrounds. The Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) is thankful and applauds these efforts. DPBH has received overwhelming feedback regarding the current approval processes for CCT programs, indicating that the approval process is burdensome. In reviewing the current regulations (LCB File No. R016-20), DPBH has determined these regulations have created unintended challenges for the health facility industry. With this in mind, the CCT approval process regulations have been included on a list in response to the Governor’s Executive Order #003, which requires state agencies (such as DPBH) to evaluate regulations that are overburdensome. In addition to the need to further evaluate the current CCT regulations, there are two bills (AB 267 and SB 365) being considered right now by the Nevada Legislature. If passed, these two bills may have significant impact on the CCT approval process, who is required to be trained, and the number of required training hours. Due to this pending legislation and the review of the current regulations, DPBH is putting a hold on the approval process of new CCT programs until after the 2023 legislative session ends. DPBH is committed to reworking the CCT regulations to ensure they include input from health facility industry members. We know that by working together and listening to you, the CCT requirements can be improved to reduce unnecessary burden while meeting the intent to protect patients’ rights. As such, we will engage with the health facility industry on the CCT requirements after the 2023 legislative session ends in June. In the meantime, health facilities must continue to train staff in accordance with the current non-discrimination requirements (NRS 449.101 – NRS 449.104). However, since these statutes do not require training to be repeated, once the training is received from an approved program, it results in compliance with these laws. Facility inspection processes will check to see that training is being accomplished and complaints will continue to be investigated where noncompliance with these laws is alleged. For facilities that choose to employ an approved third-party trainer, a list of such programs can be found at dpbh.nv.gov/culturalcompetency. If you have any questions, e-mail us at [email protected]. Sincerely, Cody L. Phinney, Deputy Administrator Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Regulatory and Planning Services A PDF copy of this memo is linked here for downloading/printing. Training and technical assistance are available from state health experts The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services’ Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) program has drafted a memo linked here with updated case counts and education information for C. auris. HAI and other health department staff to continue to be diligent about containing the spread of C. auris in Nevada. All known cases have originated in Southern Nevada; however, two now reside in Northern Nevada.
If C. auris cases have not been identified in your facility, the HAI Program encourages screening for colonized patients who have not been identified but can still spread C. auris in your building(s). To request screening supplies, email the HAI program at [email protected]. The program has several training tools and links to webinars with CEUs on containment of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), if you or your staff need training or just a refresher. Facilities can also visit this web page for HAI program training and education. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends use of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered hospital-grade disinfectant effective against C. auris (EPA’s List P or EPA’s List K) for daily and terminal cleaning of patient environments. Be sure to clearly communicate prior to discharge a patient’s MDRO status when they are going to post-acute or acute care to ensure these patients are placed under the correct precautions when they arrive. The HAI website above includes tools for educating the patient and family when diagnosed and/or being discharged home. The HAI program is here to assist facilities as much as possible. HAI staff and state infection preventionists also provide non-punitive on-site assessments to help facilities identify and close gaps in infection prevention and control practices. If you would like training for your staff, please email us at the address above so that we can coordinate a date and time. Please feel free to forward this information to others who could benefit from it. |
AuthorThe Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) licenses medical and other health facilities, child care facilities and personnel, and medical laboratories and personnel in Nevada. HCQC also conducts compliance surveys and takes complaints. Archives
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