Nursing Home Round Table 3.4.25

 

To: Nursing Home Providers/Stakeholders From: Chad Fear, Nursing Facilities Section Manager, Health Facilities 3/4/25 Agenda for Nursing Home Round Table

Health Facility Fee Website Update

 

To: All Facilities and Agencies From: HFEMSD The department has released the statutorily required health facility fee schedule on the Division of Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Facility Fees website. Between March 1 and June 30, 2025, two fee schedules will be in effect: the current fees and the new fees that start on July 1, 2025. This fee transition period guidance document will help you determine which fee schedule applies to your application. The new fees apply to licenses expiring on or after July 1, 2025, as well as to initial applications, change of ownership applications, and change of information applications submitted on or after July 1, 2025. These changes are a result of HB24-1417, which automates health facility licensing fee increases and removes the Board of Health’s authority to set fees. As a result, impacted fee amounts will no longer be listed in rule and will not go through future consumer price index rulemaking processes.  Future fee updates will be available on the facility fees website, which includes a link to the required fee schedule. Facility-and agency-specific fee schedules with additional details will also be provided.  For questions, please email cdphe.healthfacilities@state.co.us.

Colorado Hospital Preparedness Survey—Please Complete ASAP

 

To: Infection preventionists, chief medical officers, and emergency managers From: CDPHE’s HAI/AR Program Pursuant to its authority to monitor the spread of disease related to emergency epidemics as described in Sec. 25-1.5-102(1)(b)(I), C.R.S. and further to conduct disease control investigations in accordance with and subject to Sec. 25-1-122, C.R.S., the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is asking for your assistance in completing the following survey related to special pathogen preparedness and control.  Hospital Preparedness Survey The survey pertains to a patient with a special pathogen, including viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) such as Ebola Virus Disease, Marburg Virus Disease, or Lassa Fever. Travelers returning from VHF outbreak countries to Colorado might or might not be monitored by public health. If a traveler develops symptoms, they are instructed to call public health; however, this does not always happen before the traveler presents to a health care facility for care. All hospitals need to be prepared to screen, identify, and at least provide initial care for a patient suspected to have a VHF within the scope of the facility’s clinical capabilities. Additionally, facilities need to train staff to follow the “identify, isolate, inform” framework for special pathogens (see VHF Toolkit). Effective July 2024, The Joint Commission introduced Standard IC.07.01.01 which requires hospitals to: 1. implement processes to support preparedness for high-consequence infectious diseases or special pathogens, and 2. develop and implement training and education to assess competencies for staff who will implement special pathogen protocols. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated guidance for emergency preparedness (Memo QSO-21-15, Appendix Z) in the State Operations Manual in 2021. This updated guidance requires hospitals include emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola Virus Disease in their emergency preparedness plans, as well as engage and coordinate with state and local health departments to address surge needs in their community. The survey will help your organization assess the level of preparedness for a patient with a special pathogen, and will also assist CDPHE in providing guidance to health care providers and systems when a patient needs emergent transfer or transport. There are no wrong answers on this survey. The responses will be securely collected and confidentially maintained by CDPHE staff for preparedness and training use only. Please complete only one survey per hospital. The survey is intended to be completed with assistance from, but not limited to: infection prevention staff, medical directors, clinical nurse managers, house supervisors, laboratory managers, emergency operations managers, environmental services managers, and communications officers. Surveys might be sent to multiple hospital contacts; please coordinate within each facility to ensure only one survey is submitted. Hospital Preparedness Survey If you have any questions or concerns regarding this survey, please contact CDPHE’s Communicable Disease Response Inbox at cdphe_dcphr_diseaseresponse@state.co.us.

Mar. 6, 2025 - House Bill 1294 Stakeholder Forum - Includes final review of 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 draft rule changes

 

To: All Stakeholders  From: HFEMSD  You are invited to participate in the 1294 Stakeholder Forum. House Bill 1294 Stakeholder Forum offers an opportunity to promote dialogue and transparency on issues that matter to all licensed healthcare facilities. According to C.R.S 25-3-113, the Stakeholder Forum consists of representatives from various types of provider facilities licensed by the Department along with consumers, consumer advocates, ombudsmen, and other interested parties who meet at least four times each year. The purpose is for the Department to discuss and take into consideration the concerns and issues of interest to the forum members and other attendees regarding the development and implementation of rules and other matters that affect all licensed health-care facilities. At this meeting, the Department will present final edits to 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2 - General Licensure Standards. The main topic of this meeting will be the final review of the Chapter 2 “tune-up” including a review of some language edited since the last meeting regarding non-profit corporations.  To foster robust discussion related to general updates to Chapter 2, 1294 meetings will occur monthly from October through March on the first Thursday of the month. Meeting durations will be extended to 2.5 hours for these additional meetings. After March 2025, meetings will return to their normal quarterly schedule. DATES: Meetings will be held monthly, generally on the first Thursday of the month. The next meeting will be Thursday, March 6, 2025, at 1-3:30 pm. Please note that this meeting is 2.5 hours long to accommodate discussion of fees. After this meeting, we will return to quarterly meetings in July and will be back to 1 hour long meetings, 2-3pm. To participate, we have a number of resource links below.   HB 1294 Stakeholder Forum Website (includes meeting information and invite/communication sign-up)  Agenda Item Request Form   If you have any further questions or comments before the meeting, please contact Rachel Bader at rachel.bader@state.co.us

LTC (NF) IDR Committee Meeting 3.4.25

 

To: LTC (NF) providers From: HFEMSD The LTC (NF) IDR Committee will not meet on March 4, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. The committee has not received requests for review. The next scheduled meeting is April 1, 2025. Elaine Sabyan

Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Committee openings: Medical statistician OR clinical microbiologist AND representative from a health insurer

 

To: Medical statisticians, clinical microbiologists, and representatives from a health insurer From: The Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) & Antimicrobial Resistance Program The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is recruiting two new members of the Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory (HAI) Committee. Currently, the committee is requesting applicants for the following positions: Medical statistician with an advanced degree in such specialty OR clinical microbiologist with an advanced degree in such specialty, Representative from a health insurer. Applicants must be a resident of Colorado and must be able to contribute objectively to committee meetings from the perspective of the position. All interested and qualified individuals should apply. This position will be appointed by the Executive Director of CDPHE for a term of three years. The HAI Advisory Committee was established under Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) 25-3-602 to provide oversight to CDPHE for the collection and public reporting of data on HAI infection rates from health facilities. The committee may also advise CDPHE on other HAI-related activities. The committee typically meets seven to ten times each year on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 2 to 4 p.m. CDPHE facilitates committee meetings using video conferencing. There are 11 members who represent a variety of stakeholders. Membership is voluntary and qualifications are outlined in statute. Participation on the HAI Advisory Committee is a great way to learn about HAIs and play an important role in state public health! We appreciate a diversity of input. Membership is not labor intensive, apart from participating in committee meetings. CDPHE invites qualified persons to complete and submit the fillable application with a resume or curriculum vitae by email to cdphe_hai_ar@state.co.us. You may submit additional pages with the application if needed to answer the “additional questions.” The deadline for submission is March 14, 2025. The CDPHE Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program will review applicants internally before making a recommendation to the Executive Director for appointment. For more information, please see the HAI Advisory Committee Website or contact Chris Czaja MD, DrPH at christopher.czaja@state.co.us or 303-692-2700.

ALR IDR Committee Meeting 2.27.25

 

To: ALR providers From: HFEMSD The ALR IDR Committee will meet on 02/27/25 at 10:00 a.m. This will be a hybrid meeting and you may access the meeting by way of Google Meet, by phone or in person:  Please note: Generative AI products are not allowed for use within the meeting, including recording, unless pre-approved by the Governor’s Office of Information Technology and the department leadership. Join Google meet   Phone:  1-314-666-2477 PIN: 988 847 903# ‬‬‬‪‬‬‪‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬ In person:  ‬‬‬‬CDPHE Carson Room – 4300 Cherry Creek Drive S, Denver 80246    Elaine Sabyan

CDC call for cases: serious adverse events after ceftriaxone administration

 

To: Prescribers, Infection Preventionists, Pharmacists, Facility Administrators From: Healthcare-Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance Program, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local health departments, is investigating reports of serious adverse events, including deaths, following receipt of injectable ceftriaxone. To date, events have not been associated with a single product manufacturer or lot and a definitive causal link to ceftriaxone has not been established. A public health investigation is underway to identify and characterize serious adverse events associated with ceftriaxone exposure. CDC is requesting reports of serious adverse events following the administration of ceftriaxone to assist with the ongoing investigation. Please report to CDC adverse events that meet the following criteria, occurring after September 1, 2024: 1. Occurred within 6 hours after receipt of injectable* ceftriaxone in a non-ICU setting, and 2. Resulted in death or required cardiopulmonary resuscitation**, and 3. Not attributed by the treating provider(s) to a cause other than ceftriaxone administration***. *including both intramuscular and intravenous routes of administration **cardiopulmonary resuscitation defined as the use of chest compressions and mechanical ventilation or provision of rescue breaths to maintain circulatory flow and oxygenation during cardiac arrest ***such as known infection, other underlying medical condition, or exposure to a medication or medical product other than ceftriaxone Please make reports to CDC’s Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at HAIoutbreak@cdc.gov. Healthcare providers should report serious adverse events that might be associated with a medical product to FDA’s MedWatch Program and to the product manufacturer. For questions about this message, contact the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program, Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacy Lead: cdphe_hai_ar@state.co.us.

Request for documentation timelines

 

Dear Licensed Healthcare Entities, The department is dedicated to improving the survey process. However, we have encountered a consistent challenge: receiving the requested documentation in a timely manner during surveys or complaint investigations. This delay prolongs the survey and extends the time surveyors need to spend on-site. To improve this process, your cooperation is crucial. Chapter 2 states: 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, part 2.10.5, the licensee is required to provide, upon request, access to or copies of the following to the Department to facilitate regulatory oversight: (A) Individual client records.   (B) Reports and information required by the Department, which may include staffing reports, census data, statistical information, and any other records specified by the Department. To ensure a smooth process, the department requests that all documentation be provided within 2 hours of the request. If any mitigating circumstances prevent you from meeting this timeline, please communicate this to the surveyors promptly. Thank you for your attention and cooperation.

Reportable Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV)

 

Hello hospital partners,  As of January 14, 2025, clinical laboratories and health care providers are required to report congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) in infants less than one year of age to public health, per 6 CCR 1009-1, the Epidemic and Communicable Disease Control rule. Additionally, Colorado received funding to participate as a site for the Surveillance of Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies (SET-NET) in August 2024. As a new SET-NET site, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) SET-NET Program will be conducting longitudinal surveillance on children up to three years of age who meet the case definition for cCMV to further understand the prevalence and long-term health effects of cCMV in Colorado.  In order to understand the current landscape of cCMV screening in Colorado, the CDPHE SET-NET Program is requesting your hospital’s current policy for testing and screening for cCMV. This will help us interpret our new surveillance data. Please send your policy to cdphe_setnet@state.co.us.  Thank you for your partnership! Briana Sprague, SET-NET Coordinator Medical Epidemiology Unit Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment cdphe_setnet@state.co.us

HOSPICE IDR Committee Meeting 2.18.25

 

To: HOSPICE providers From: HFEMSD The HOSPICE DR Committee will not meet 02/18/2025. The committee has not received requests for review.  Elaine Sabyan

HHA IDR Committee Meeting 2/18/25

 

To: HHA providers From: HFEMSD The HHA IDR Committee will not meet 02/18/2025. The committee has not received requests for review.  Elaine Sabyan

Critical Access Hospital Licensure - SB24-121 - Comment Reminder

 

To: CAHs, hospitals, and all stakeholders interested in SB24-121 From: HFEMSD Thank you to everyone who participated in stakeholder meetings related to SB24-121 concerning the licensure of Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). Through meetings held from July 2024 through September 2024, the Department created a draft critical access hospital licensing chapter, 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 16, in conjunction with stakeholders.  The Department continues to take written comment on the draft rules. Comments may be submitted via the comment form or sent via email to Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us. The draft Chapter 16 is available on the Division’s public google folder for this project. All comments and questions regarding the new licensing chapter to implement SB24-121 are welcome. The Department encourages stakeholders to review the draft of Chapter 16 and submit any and all feedback. Feedback from stakeholders is critical to the success of any stakeholder process and we deeply value your input. The written comment form will be available until April 16, 2025, when the Department anticipates that it will request a rulemaking hearing with the Board of Health. If you would like to receive future communication regarding the critical access hospital licensure stakeholder process, please sign-up for the interested parties list to receive email notifications directly to your inbox.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact Ash Jackson at ash.jackson@state.co.us, or Alexandra Haas, at alexandra.haas@state.co.us

Opportunity to participate in a Nursing Home Innovations Grant Board project – Think 360 Arts for Learning

 

To: All Certified Nursing Homes From: Jo Tansey, Branch Chief, Acute Care and Nursing Facilities Think 360 Arts for Learning is applying for a Nursing Home Innovations Grant Board (NHIGB) Civil Money Penalty (CMP) grant focused on Arts Programming to Reduce Social Isolation and Enhance Mental Well-Being. They are looking for certified nursing homes that are interested in participating in the project. Think 360 Arts for Learning, a nonprofit with over 60 years of service in Colorado, is seeking nursing home partners to collaborate on its Creative Aging program. This initiative connects highly skilled teaching artists with older adult residents to provide meaningful arts experiences designed to reduce social isolation and improve mental well-being. If your nursing home is located in the Pikes Peak Region or within 25 miles of Grand Junction, and you’re interested in partnering on an upcoming Nursing Home Innovation Grant, please contact Alex Oves at alex@think360arts.org with your interest or questions. For more information about Think 360 Arts’ Creative Aging program, visit their website.