Mass. Announces Nursing Community Reforms to Keep Older Adults Safe Amid Pandemic

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker this week announced that the state has initiated a series of nursing community reforms to keep older adults safe during the pandemic, reports WHDH . The reforms, which are part of the Accountability and Supports Package 2.0, seek to enhance standards of care and infection control during the fall and winter. The first phase of reforms includes $82 million in restructured Medicaid rates and immediate steps to remove three- and four-bed rooms in nursing communities. Additional reforms include requiring communities to immediately reduce or eliminate rooms with more than two residents to improve infection control standards and resident quality of life; and augmented criteria for nursing communities that set up isolation spaces for COVID-19 positive residents being released from hospitals, limit spaces to communities with a high Department of Public Health (DPH) quality score, fulfill specific staffing and personal protective equipment requirements, and have no deficiencies on DPH infection control surveys. Baker also said his administration has updated long-term care staff surveillance testing guidance to line up with federal guidance. Flu vaccine requirements for staff at nursing and rest communities, assisted living residences, adult day health programs, and dialysis units also have been modified to protect vulnerable residents and providers.