2025 HAI Annual Report is now available

 

To: Facility administrators and infection preventionists From: Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program The 2025 Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Annual Report from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is now available. New in 2025: There is a new dashboard of HAIs in Colorado. The dashboard allows users to quickly view and compare HAIs in reporting health care facilities. It supplements the written HAI annual report. Review the HAI annual report and HAI dashboard, and share them with your stakeholders. We have a communications toolkit with social media and graphics you can share with your health care providers or patients. Email cdphe_hai_ar@state.co.us with questions.

Your input needed: Update List of Supplemental Healthcare Staffing Agencies

 

To: Facility Administrators From: CDPHE, HCPF, and CDLE It’s time to update the list of Supplemental Healthcare Staffing Agencies that healthcare facilities are using in Colorado.  Colorado Revised Statute (C.R.S.) § 8-4-125 requires staffing agencies providing services in Colorado to healthcare facilities that are licensed by the Department of Public Health and Environment pursuant to C.R.S. § 25-1.5-103(1)(a) to submit semi-annual reports to the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS). DLSS shares the data submitted with the Colorado Departments of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). To identify which SHSAs need to report, CDPHE and HCPF gather information about the staffing agencies they utilize from healthcare facilities. If you are licensed under C.R.S. § 25-1.5-103(1)(a), please complete this Healthcare Provider Questionnaire on or before March 28, 2025.   For further information contact the DLSS Reporting and Accountability Programs by email at acdle_health_staffing@state.co.us or phone (720) 235-8291.

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.

CLOSING EVENTS IN EMResource For Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Residences and ICFs/Group Homes

 

To: Administrators and Managers of Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Residents and Group Homes/ICFs From: Greg Schlosser, Branch Chief, Health Facility Education and Quality Hello EMResource Users, We are writing to inform you that we will be ending the 3 ongoing events-Assisted Living Residences (ALR) Update & Group(GH) & Intermediate Care(ICF’s) Update in EMResource on 8/5/24. This decision was made after a careful review of the current reporting requirements of these facilities to the State. However, we still intend to keep this partnership ongoing & would like you all to keep your facilities information updated in EMResource. EMResource has proved to be an excellent emergency resource query tool during uncalled situations & users have benefitted from the updated facility information in the EMResource database. To continue updating your facility in EMResource please follow the below steps: The 3 LTCF/Assisted Living/Group Homes events are closing but users can continue to update statuses for their facilities in EMResource. In EMResource go to Menu → View → then select your authorized facility in either of the 3 sections- Long Term Care Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, ICF/Group Homes.  The facility you are authorized to update status for will have a key icon in front of it. Then can click on this key icon to update statuses for their facilities. COVID provider information & the contact information for your facility are important to be kept updated at all times We value & appreciate your continued  partnership with us.If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Melanie.Roth-Lawson@state.co.us (720-291-5929) or cdphe_EMResource@state.co.us. .

HEALTH ADVISORY ALERT: PREPARING FOR EXTREME HEAT THIS WEEKEND

 

To: Administrators and Managers of Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Residents and Group Homes/ICFs From: Peter Myers, Deputy Division Director, Health Facilities and Emergency Management Services Division Please review this newly released CDPHE health advisory alert on preparing for extreme heat this weekend. Please share this WIDELY with your staff. If you have any questions, please contact Melanie.Roth-Lawson@state.co.us or call 720-291-5929. .

LTC Newsletter - November 2023

 

To: LTC From: CDPHE Infection Prevention Team     Here is the November 2023 LTC newsletter:        https://conta.cc/3QrlrJo     If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program: cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

LTC COVID testing supplies

 

To: All residential care facilities From: CDPHE Infection Prevention Program COVID-19 cases are increasing. Many facilities are asking about testing supplies and vaccinations.  As a reminder, CDPHE sent out a final distribution of COVID-19 point of care testing supplies in April 2023. The supplies sent should meet the testing needs for resident and staff testing for approximately one calendar year. If your facility does not have testing supplies on hand, they may have been placed in a storage closet for safekeeping. If you cannot locate them after a careful review of your facility storage areas, email cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us and we can provide you with information about the original shipment or direct your facility to where you may purchase additional testing supplies. The information sent to facilities March 2023 has been included in this communication, it contains valuable information which should be reviewed as soon as possible. Antigen Testing Distribution.pdf For additional assistance, contact: cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

Clarification on FGI Guidelines Edition Being Utilized in Colorado

TO: Facility administrators and building operations managers   FROM: CDPHE HFEMS Division, FGI Plan Review & Safety Services Unit   As most of you are aware, the CDPHE licensing rule 6 CCR 1011-1, Chapter 2, Part 3 requires a Facility Guidelines Review and subsequent approval for all newly licensed health care facilities, as well as any qualifying renovations and/or additions to existing licensed health care facilities.   The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) updates their Guidelines books every four years. Although FGI has published the 2022 edition of the Guidelines, the Colorado Board of Health has not yet approved the 2022 edition as the edition being utilized in Colorado. Currently, CDPHE still enforces the 2018 edition of the Guidelines for our architectural plan review process. The update process for adoption of the 2022 Guidelines is scheduled to begin sometime in early 2024. At this time, we are unsure how long that update process will take. Until that time comes, we will continue to review all licensed health care projects to the 2018 edition of the Guidelines.   We would also like to remind you that our FGI team conducts an on-line quarterly news/Q&A presentation. This allows us to provide you all with any new Colorado FGI-related news and information as well as an opportunity for you to ask us questions in a forum where numerous people can learn at the same time. If you would like to have your email address added to our notification list, please email our team at the address below and we’ll happily include you. You may also forward this invite to any other parties that you feel may have interest.   If you have any questions or need further information, please see our FGI team web page at    https://cdphe.colorado.gov/facility-guidelines-institute-fgi   You can also email the FGI Plan Review and Safety Services team at FGIreview@state.co.us. 

Residential and Long-Term Care Facility Newsletter for 9/5/23

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities)   From: CDPHE COVID-19 Infection Prevention Program   Our latest Residential and Long-term Care Newsletter is now available.

Nursing Facility/ICF Infection Prevention call 8/16/2023

 

To: Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities   From: CDPHE Infection Prevention Program   Click here to access slides from the August 16, 2023 Nursing Facilities/ICFs call.      If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program at cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

Listeria associated with soft serve ice cream in long-term care facilities

 

To: Residential care facilities (Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Group Homes, and Intermediate Care Facilities) From: CDPHE COVID-19 Infection Prevention Program CDC is investigating a Listeria outbreak linked to kosher soft serve ice cream and advises long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other institutions to not serve any flavors of “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups. One person who was ill in this outbreak was served this ice cream cup while residing in a long-term care facility. Listeria was found in a “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cup collected from another ill person’s freezer, and laboratory scientists are working to determine if it is the outbreak strain of Listeria. On August 9, Real Kosher Ice Cream recalled all flavors of their “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups. Recalled ice cream cups were distributed to multiple long-term care facilities nationwide. Additional information specific to Colorado:  Listeria (from a normally sterile site) is a reportable condition (within four (4) days). Only test people who ate the recalled ice cream and have symptoms. Stool culture for Listeria is not recommended.  Email questions about Listeria to cdphe_food_enteric_water_diseases@state.co.us.

ALRs/Group Homes Infection Prevention call slides 8/2/2023

 

To: Assisted Living Residences and Group Homes   From CDPHE Infection Prevention Program   Click here to access slides from the August 2, 2023 ALRs/Group Homes call.      If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program at cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

LTC Newsletter week ending 7/28/23

 

To: Residential and Long-Term Care Facilities From: CDPHE Infection Prevention Program Here is the most recent LTC newsletter for the week ending 7/28/2023.      If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program: cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

Nursing Facility/ICF Infection Prevention call 7/19/2023

 

To: Nursing Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities   From CDPHE Infection Prevention Program   Click here to access slides from the July 19, 2023 Nursing Facilities/ICFs call.      If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program  cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

LTC Newsletter Week ending 7/14/23

 

To: LTC From:  CDPHE Residential Care Strike Team & Infection Prevention Program Attached is the most recent LTC newsletter for the week ending 7/14/2023      If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program  cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us

Precautions for Extreme Heat in Colorado: Ensure Your Residents, Clients, and, Patients Are Safe

 

To: Healthcare Providers (Please share widely with your teams) As summer in Colorado is bringing some extreme heat in recent days, we are sharing some information to help you in keeping your residents, clients, and patients safe. Extreme heat risk is affected by: exposure to high temperatures sensitivity of population to adverse health effects of heat events; and adaptive capacity of the population to reduce exposure (i.e., the ability to prepare for, respond to, and cope with heat events) We encourage you to review the following links: CDPHE heat infographic 7/11/2023 US News and World Report article on impacts of extreme heat on persons with dementia  7/26/2022 Yale School of the Environment article on the impact of certain medications on heat. Health Facilities Preparation for Extreme Heat: Recommendations for Retirement and Care Facility Managers 7/8/22 article, Alzheimer’s and Extreme Heat: Exercise Caution CDC Article, Warning Signs and Symptoms of Heat-Related Illness Tips for People Who Take Medication: Coping With Hot Weather Stay safe during these warm summer months!

All Long Term Care Facilities Infection Prevention call 6/21/2023

 

To: All Long Term Care Facilities   From: CDPHE Infection Prevention Program   Thank you for joining CDPHE on June 21, 2023 to review the requirements for Respiratory Protection Plans with OSHA Compliance Assistance Specialist Meredith Post. A recording of the presentation is available, as well as the slides for you to review.    Respiratory Protection Plan template from OSHA.   Additional resources to help you develop your Respiratory Protection Plan are available and include templates and FAQs.   CDPHE RPP Toolkit - Toolkit summarizing the OSHA requirements. CDPHE RPP Development CDPHE RPP Template Basics CDPHE RPP Checklist CDPHE RPP Fit Testing FAQ CDPHE RPP Medical Evaluations FAQ CDPHE RPP Respirators FAQ   OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard: 29 CFR 1910.134 OSHA Respiratory Protection Training Videos OSHA Hazard identification and assessment OSHA Colorado offices CSU Occupational Health and Safety Consultation - Free occupational health and safety consultation services.   CDC/NIOSH/OSHA Hospital RPP Toolkit Webpage Hospital Protection Program Toolkit (pdf) - Appendix D is an RPP template.   NIOSH Approved Respirators NIOSH: Fit testing FAQ NIOSH: Seal check FAQ NIOSH: Annual training FAQ NIOSH: Reuse/extended use FAQ   AAOHN RPP Training - Free training for program administrators.     Code of Colorado Regulations 6 CCR 1011-1 Chapter 2 (pdf) - Part 12 (12.2.2)     If you have any questions about the content, contact the CDPHE IP Program cdphe_covid_infection_prevention@state.co.us