OPIC Monthly Newsletter

Issue 8                                                                    November 27, 2023

Guidance and Updates

COVID-19 Level at Medium and the Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

Due to higher concentrations of COVID-19 found in the wastewater, Marin County COVID-19 level is medium. Currently only 36% of Marin residents 65 and older are up to date with their COVID-19 vaccine and only 16% of residents countywide are up to date. 
 

AB 1797 requires California healthcare providers who administer vaccines to enter information about residents or clients into the California Immunization Registry (CAIR).

Federal regulations 42 CFR 483.80(d)(3) and 42 CFR 483.460(a)(4)(i) require that Long-Term Care (LTC) facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICFs-IID) must offer COVID-19, Pneumococcal, and Influenza vaccines and education to residents onsite.

CMS certified facilities are required to follow QSO-23-13 ALL 5.01.23

The federal Conditions of Participation, effective 10/07/2005 are here. 

SNFs are required to report HCP vaccination rates as a Quality Measure into NHSN which would involve record keeping.
 

All Facilities Letters (AFLs) from CDPH

View AFLs at the All Facilities Letter webpage.  

PINs from CDSS

Recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the updated COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for the fall and winter virus season, as well as providing information on testing and treatment for COVID-19.

November is C. Diff Awareness Month

Clostridioides difficile AKA C. diff, is a bacteria that causes life-threatening diarrhea. It is usually a side-effect of taking antibiotics. CDI is the most commonly reported healthcare-associated infection in hospitals. All California acute care hospitals are required to report healthcare facility-onset CDI to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) via the National Healthcare Safety Network. 

Most vulnerable population: 

• People 65 and older who take antibiotics and receive medical care.
• People staying in hospitals and nursing homes for a long period of time. 
• People with weakened immune systems or previous infection with C. diff. 

Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs)  Resources: Stay up to date with the latest information on Antimicrobial Resistance and Antibiotic Stewardship:

• CIDRAP Special project: Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Hospital execs see worsening antibiotic-resistance threat, survey finds
• Antimicrobial Stewardship Webinar Series

Resources

Infectious Disease toolkits

• CDC Norovirus Outbreak Control Resource Toolkit for Healthcare Settings

• CDC - Influenza Outbreak for LTCF Guidance

• CDC Infection Prevention Tools for LTCF Settings 
  Multiple diseases on this page including CAUTI, C.Diff, CRE, MRSA, MDRO, Norovirus, and Flu

State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan Shares Tips for Reducing Respiratory Viruses
New videos featuring Dr. Erica Pan are now available. The videos provide tips for reducing respiratory virus illness this fall and winter and can be shared on social media. Californians can help reduce the spread of viruses by staying up to date on vaccines, staying home and testing if sick, seeking prescription treatments if they test positive for flu or COVID-19, consider masking indoors, washing hands and covering coughs.

Additional Resources:

• Respiratory Viruses webpage.

• Flu & COVID-19 Vaccines Communications Toolkit.

• Respiratory Virus Prevention Communications Toolkit

• Free, online, Training for staff at LTACHs.
• Free, online Training for staff at SNFS.
• Toolkit for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) Training
• Project Firstline Project Firstline Training Toolkit for EVS Staff