Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Office Hours for Licensing & User Management Technical Support

 

To: All Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Users From: HFEMSD The HFEMSD licensing staff will begin holding technical support office hours in April 2025 to assist with various topics related to licensing and user management within the COHFI system. At this time, these sessions will not address questions related to surveys or occurrences. These one hour sessions are planned for the first and third Tuesday of each month, beginning April 1st. All sessions will be held from 1pm-2pm MST. During each call we will save time for some Q&A if there are questions about topics not being covered.  For planning purposes, the dates, times, and topics for the meetings scheduled in April and May are included below. The link to join each meeting is also included. A link to the public calendar is also available below.  Link to public HFEMSD Licensing Tech Support calendar Tuesday April 1, 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Link to Join Meeting Creating License Applications The process to change/update your facility information in COHFI Timing issues as it related to CHOW, Renewal, Update apps being submitted Where to find this information in the COHFI User Manual General Q&A Tuesday April 15, 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Link to Join Meeting New COHFI User General Overview of the system and its functionality related to Licensing & User Management Creating License Applications Where to find this information in the COHFI User Manual General Q&A Tuesday May 6, 2025 - 1:00pm - 2:00pm Link to Join Meeting The CHOW process in COHFI Managing users and rights in COHFI as the COHFI Account Manager Where to find the current users for each facility Where to find this information in the COHFI User Manual General Q&A Tuesday May 20, 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm Link to Join Meeting Locating PDFs of licenses issued & downloading/printing those licenses Uploading/downloading documents in COHFI Creating, opening, and reading messages Where to find this information in the COHFI User Manual General Q&A For questions, please contact cdphe.healthfacilities@state.co.us

Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Updates Deployment 10/16/2024

 

To: All Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) users From: HFEMSD The Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) System will deploy updates to the Licensing, Survey Tracking, and Occurrences modules during special maintenance hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. If unforeseen problems occur, the deployment could last longer.  All COHFI applications will be unavailable during the deployment from 3:00 p.m. to at least 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Please plan to log out of the system by 3:00 p.m. today to avoid lost work. Overall, the functions within each COHFI module will remain unchanged. Following the updates, the COHFI system and modules may look a bit different. Some function buttons and data will be displayed in new locations. Most data and function buttons will remain in their current locations. The “back arrow” will no longer be functional on most COHFI screens. After the deployment, users must navigate COHFI by opening and closing “pop-up” screens. Users may experience minor bugs in the system after the updates are deployed. If you experience any issues, please report them via email to cohfi.support@state.co.us. We appreciate your patience as we work to improve our systems.

Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Updates - October 16, 2024

 

To: All Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) users From: HFEMSD The Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) System will deploy updates to the Licensing, Survey Tracking, and Occurrences modules during special maintenance hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. It is possible the deployment could last hours longer if unforeseen problems occur.  All COHFI applications will be unavailable from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or later on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.  The overall functions within each COHFI module remain unchanged; however, the systems look a bit different. Some function buttons and data will be displayed in new locations. Most data and function buttons will remain on the same pages where they have always been. Of note, the “back arrow” will no longer be functional on most COHFI screens. Users will navigate COHFI by opening and closing “pop-up” screens. As with any system changes, there may be some minor bugs experienced when these updates are rolled out. We would ask that you submit any issues to cohfi.support@state.co.us and we will route them for review.  We appreciate your patience as we work to improve our systems.

Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Update - Provider System Testing Live

 

To: All Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Users From: HFEMSD Over the past few months the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) has been working on updates to the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) system. COHFI’s three main modules, Licensing, Survey Tracking, and Occurrences have been updated.  The overall functions within each COHFI module are unchanged; however, the systems look a bit different. Some function buttons and data will display in new locations. Most data and function buttons will remain on the same pages where they have always been.  The current timeline for rollout of these updates, which is subject to change, is as follows:  9/27/2024 - 10/8/2024 COHFI Users from all provider types now have access to the beta test environment to view and interact with their facility’s COHFI data. Users will be able to test and experience the system changes of each COHFI module. The test environment is available at: https://www.cohfi-uat.colorado.gov/HF_APP_Beta/ COHFI Users will utilize their current COHFI credentials (username and password as of 9/24/2024 at 4:00 p.m.) to access the data for their facility or facilities.  It’s important to note that while in the test site, any changes made to your facility data will not carry over to the live (production) data. This is testing only. You should feel free to navigate the system without any fear of those changes being saved. Users should continue to submit all required information through the existing live (production) COHFI site during this testing period. 10/9/2024: The COHFI production website will be updated during routine scheduled maintenance. An additional provider memo will be sent prior to when this occurs. You will not be able to use or access the COHFI production website while the system update is being deployed. As with any system changes, there may be some minor bugs experienced when these updates are rolled out. We would ask that you submit any issues to cohfi.support@state.co.us and we will route them for review.  .

Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) Updates

 

To: All Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) users From: HFEMSD Over the past few months the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division (HFEMSD) has been working on updates to the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) system. COHFI’s three main modules facilitate the submission of licensing applications, survey tracking, and occurrences.  The overall functions within each COHFI module will remain unchanged; however, the system will look a bit different. Some function buttons and data will display in new locations. Most data and function buttons will remain on the same pages where they have historically been available. We have added or improved functionality in some areas to address concerns in the current version of COHFI.  The current timeline for rollout of these updates, which is subject to change, is as follows:  9/23/2024 – 9/27/2024:  HFEMSD will provide a link on our website and through a provider message allowing users to access a COHFI testing site to view and interact with the system changes. Current, active COHFI user account credentials will allow you to log into this test site. It’s important to note that while in the test site, any changes made to your facility date will not carry over to the live (production) data. You should feel free to navigate the system without any fear of those changes being saved. Users should continue to submit all required information through the existing live (production) COHFI site during this testing period. 9/30/2024 – 10/4/2024: Sometime during this week, the live (production) COHFI website will be updated with all changes. No data entered or deleted from the testing site will be included in this roll out. Only data that exists in the live, production version of COHFI at the time of this update will be included. A provider memo will be sent when this occurs. As with any system changes, there may be some minor bugs experienced when these updates are rolled out. We would ask that you submit any issues to cohfi.support@state.co.us and we will route them for review.  .

Updates to COHFI Survey Tracking Module - 1/17/24

 

The Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) System Survey Tracking module will deploy updates during routine maintenance hours of 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m, on  Wednesday 1/17/2024. It is possible the deployment could last hours longer if unforeseen problems occur. We are advising that all COHFI applications will be unavailable from at least 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday 1/17/2024.  The updates will include the integration of Internet Quality and Improvement Systems (iQIES) surveys into COHFI and changes to some features in the plan of correction deficiency (POCD) review screen. Specifically, the following changes will be made to the POCD review screen: The "Save as Draft" button will be removed from the POCD screen. This button was associated with an error that would cause surveys to malfunction and be unable to submit. External users will only have the "Save as Ready" button available to save work in a POCD. A POC and its associated POCDs are not submitted for review until the "Submit POC" button is clicked and the pop-up acknowledgement is marked as "Agree." The "Request IDR" button will be removed from the POCD screen. Providers wishing to request informal dispute resolution (IDR) for any deficiency are directed to contact the IDR coordinator by email per instructions furnished in the attachments in the "Documents" tab of the applicable survey. We appreciate your patience as we improve our systems. For any problems please contact us at cdphe.healthfacilities@state.co.us or 303-692-2836. .

Changes to Renewal Application in COHFI

 

To: All Licensed Health Facilities/Agencies and COHFI users who submit license applications   From: HFEMSD   Background: When the COHFI system launched in February 2020, CDPHE left renewal applications open and editable by COHFI license users. This was necessary to get all facility information entered into the COHFI system. Once all facilities were able to complete one renewal cycle in COHFI, HFEMSD’s intent was to lock down the sections of the renewal applications for which changes require a separate approval process. While this plan was significantly delayed, but we are now prepared to implement these changes.   Need to Know: During the COHFI maintenance window on Wednesday, August 30th, the following fields will no longer be editable on a renewal application. This change will be implemented system wide for all renewal applications Licensees must follow the established process to submit an Update Application when this information changes.   The following sections will no longer be editable on a Renewal Application:   General and Demographics Facility/Agency Name Facility/Agency Physical Address Administrator Information Director of Nursing Information Demographics Information (for some facility/agency types) Additional Locations Buildings Off-Campus Locations Branches Workstations BHE Service Locations Ownership Ownership General            -Ownership Type            -Name of Business Entity            -EIN            -Start Date of Ownership  Board of Directors  Officers Business Ownership Summary (Shareholders/Stakeholders) Management Company Management Company General             -Ownership Type             -Name of Business Entity             -EIN             -Start Date of Ownership Officers Board of Directors Management Owner Summary     For questions, or if you experience bugs or issues with this change, please contact cdphe.healthfacilities@state.co.us with your facility name, facility ID, and a description of your issues.

Residential & Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Guidance Call Slides from 10/14/22

 

To: Residential care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and intermediate care facilities)   From: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Infection Prevention Program and Residential Care Strike Team   Thank you for attending the long-term and residential care facility informational guidance calls. Please find the slide presentation links below:   ·        Assisted Living Residences and Group Homes ·        Nursing Homes and Intermediate Care Facilities   Questions can be sent to the Infection Prevention Program and Residential Care Strike Team.    

Webinar: How Germs Make Us Sick, Infection vs. Colonization and the Importance of Communicating about MDROs

 

To: Healthcare professionals   From: CDPHE Project Firstline and the HAI/AR Program   Join CDPHE for an educational opportunity with a background on how germs make us sick, the differences between infection and colonization, and the importance of communicating about multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs). The presentation will include information from CDC’s Project Firstline and CDPHE’s HAI/AR Program with a real-world example illustrating the necessity of communication between facilities. Join the zoom call to learn more about these topics on October 26, 2022 from 12:00-12:30 pm.   Register here!   Email CDPHE’s Project Firstline team at cdphe_project_firstline@state.co.us with questions. 

Reminder: Long-term care facility booster clinic request form deadline

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities)  From: CDPHE Residential Care Strike Team The deadline to complete the Long Term Care Facility (LTCF) Booster Clinic Request Fall 2022 form is Friday, Oct. 14, 2022. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) will provide one vaccine clinic before November 1, 2022 to facilities that are unable to provide a vaccine clinic on their own or use a community vaccine provider. In addition to the clinic request form, facilities requesting CDPHE assistance to provide a vaccination clinic need to complete the following EMResource question to allow for clinic scheduling. Question: CDPHE COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Assistance Definition: The RCF Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance requires that facilities offer a COVID-19 vaccine clinic to staff and residents inside their facility within 60 days of any update to CDC’s vaccine recommendations. CDC recommended COVID-19 omicron bivalent booster vaccine doses on Sept. 1, 2022. CDPHE can assist with vaccination clinics for facilities that need it, but encourages all facilities to develop plans with community partners and document that information in the Ongoing COVID-19 Vaccination and Treatment Form. Does your facility require any CDPHE assistance to hold that clinic? Yes: Complete and submit the following form by Oct. 14, 2022 to request CDPHE assistance in providing a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at your facility by copying and pasting the below link into a new browser tab: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBhN3qGHjdUIzcg7oJw1tzUoCbgTKM9WriXP1Ftro--P1uhw/viewform No: The facility is responsible for providing its own vaccine clinic and should report the vaccine provider they will use in the comments section. After your facility answers YES to this EMResource question AND completes the Long-Term Care Facility: Booster Clinic Request 2022 form, a CDPHE representative will contact your facility to gather the necessary information to schedule the clinic. To prevent communication delays, ensure all contact information listed for your facility in the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) system is accurate.  A designated facility representative needs to quickly connect with a CDPHE representative to begin this process. When you receive contact from CDPHE inquiring about your COVID-19 vaccination needs, answer or return the call or email as soon as possible.   This clinic can be used by both residents and staff to provide the updated omicron bivalent and/or primary COVID-19 vaccine doses. Find out how many doses are needed for residents and staff to provide the highest level of protection by using the COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Calculator.

CDPHE amends Public Health Order 20-20; updated residential care facility guidance documents released

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities)  From: CDPHE Residential Care Strike Team and Infection Prevention Program Following updated CDC recommendations, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment amended Public Health Order 20-20 and updated guidance for nursing homes and intermediate care facilities, as well as assisted living residences and group homes.  Join us for one of two informational guidance calls on Friday, October 14, 2022. See the meeting information below to register for the call that corresponds with your facility type.  Nursing homes and intermediate care facilities     October 14, 2022 - 11 a.m.     Register here:     https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_e7WB9iuQSEGfdmEqaed9Hg Assisted living residences and group homes     October 14, 2022 - 1 p.m.     Register here:     https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_czr17D6HTRyD0VmiSqYviQ Updates and general guidelines include: CDPHE separated guidance by facility type and aligned it with CDC’s September 23, 2022 updates.  Vaccination status is no longer used to inform source control, screening testing, or post-exposure recommendations. Routine surveillance testing is no longer required for people who are asymptomatic. Testing remains required for people with symptoms, people who have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, and higher risk exposures. Testing is also required during outbreaks. Facilities should assign at least one staff member to oversee infection prevention strategies within the facility. This person should complete education as outlined in the guidance and is responsible for infection prevention strategies including:  Remaining informed of guidance and public health reporting requirements Ensuring the facility has the appropriate supplies available to adhere to infection prevention and control practices Managing the respiratory protection program Educating residents, staff, and visitors about current infection prevention practices necessary to prevent infectious disease transmission within the facility. Each facility must maintain a COVID-19 mitigation, vaccine, and treatment plan that promotes vaccine confidence and acceptance. Facilities must offer vaccinations and access to treatments to all consenting staff and residents.  Facilities must make COVID-19 vaccines available to staff and residents inside their facility within 60 days of any update to CDC’s vaccine recommendations. See the full nursing homes/intermediate care facilities and assisted living residences and group homes guidance documents for details, requirements, and recommendations that are now in place for residential and long-term care facilities. Email questions regarding the implementation of the updated guidance to the Infection Prevention Program and Residential Care Strike Team.

Upcoming Residential Care Facility Mitigation Guidance Changes

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities)  From: CDPHE Residential Care Strike Team and Infection Prevention Program Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updates to the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. As such, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment is now reviewing changes and aligning its Residential Care Facility (RCF) Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance.  When the mitigation guidance updates are final, stakeholders will be invited to participate in a residential and long-term care facility call. We will also outline changes in messages sent through Colorado Health Facilities Interactive (COHFI) and the Residential and Long-Term Care email list. Stay tuned to our regular communication channels for meeting plans and guidance announcements.  Facilities are required to follow Public Health Order (PHO 20-20) and the RCF Comprehensive Mitigation Guidance. Email questions regarding the guidance to cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us and residentialcarestriketeam@state.co.us.

COHFI Vaccination Report Confirmation

 

To: All Licensed Facilities   From: Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services   We are happy to announce a new feature in the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive system. Starting today you will begin receiving vaccination reporting confirmation emails. This feature will send a copy of your Flu or COVID Vaccination report to you once you have completed a submission. We also designed the feature to send the report to the other users at the facility with vaccination reporting rights so that other people on your team who can submit the report will know that you have submitted the report.   If you submitted a report after today and did not receive the confirmation email, first check your account by clicking on your username in the upper right corner and selecting Manage. This will allow you to update your email address and name if needed.   These confirmation emails can be kept for your records.

See the other users for your facility in COHFI

 

To: All COHFI Users   From: The Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division     We released an update to the Colorado Health Facilities Interactive system on 12/29/21. You can now view the other users for the facilities that you have access to. To view the other users, sign in to COHFI, select a facility to work with and then navigate to the Facility tab in the top navigation bar. There is now a new option, Facility Users. This will allow you to find out who your facility account manager is as well as who has access to the other areas of COHFI for your facility. Change of ownership users are still only visible to the COHFI account manager.