NH/ACF Weekly Staff Testing Survey (Week 53)

DOH has finalized the Week 53 NH/ACF Staff Testing Survey.  There are no substantive changes to the survey questions for this week; hence, there is no webinar this week to review the survey. The certification language in section 6 has minor edits, as well as a new section 7 which includes language to certify compliance with the requirement to offer vaccine.

The certification language in section 6 now reads:

I hereby certify, under penalty of law, including but not limited to Section 210.45 of the Penal Law, that I am an authorized representative of the facility identified above, and that such facility has submitted a testing plan and has implemented policies that adhere to the requirements of Executive Order (EO) 202.30 (as modified by EOs 202.40 and 202.88 and as extended) and, for nursing homes, New York State Department of Health Dear Administrator Letter NH-21-01, “Nursing Home Staff Testing Requirements,” dated January 1, 2021, requiring COVID-19 testing of all facility personnel, including all employees, contract staff, medical staff, administrators and operators, pursuant to the plan filed with the Department of Health, provided that if the facility identified above is an adult care facility, such plan may be deemed amended to require testing in accordance with the plan once per week. Such facility has implemented polices which adhere to the requirements of all other applicable Executive Orders and directives of the Commissioner of Health relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes, as applicable, and without limitation:

• EO 202.1, directing nursing homes and adult care facilities to follow any guidance issued by the Department of Health relating to visitation restrictions; and
• EO 202.18, as amended by EO 202.19, requiring notification to family members or next of kin within 24 hours of a resident testing positive or suffering a COVID-19 related death.

Additionally a new section was added to certify compliance with the requirement to offer vaccine, which states:

I hereby certify, under penalty of law, including but not limited to Section 210.45 of the Penal Law, to the following:

• That such facility, if a nursing home, has proactively offered all new unvaccinated residents and personnel an opportunity to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine within fourteen days of being hired, admitted, or readmitted, pursuant to 10 NYCRR 66-4.2; or
• That such facility, if an adult care facility, has proactively arranged for all new unvaccinated residents and personnel an opportunity to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine within seven days of being hired, admitted, or readmitted, pursuant to 10 NYCRR 66-4.3.

The Week 53 survey was released (via IHANS alert through HCS) this morning, 5/19 at 9am.  As always, the survey will close promptly Thursday, 5/20 at 5pm.

All facilities will still receive the normal IHAN alerts:

1. Wednesday, May 19, 2021: 9am message with link to the survey; and
2. Thursday, May 20, 2021: 12pm reminder that survey will close at 5pm.

Please be reminded of the following:

1. If you do not complete the survey, you will not receive Test Kits or PPE from NYS for the upcoming testing period.
2. If you do not receive a confirmation email, then the system did not log your survey submission.
   1. Most respondents who do not receive confirmation emails have misspelled their email address in the survey.
   2. If resubmitting, refresh the webpage and re-enter the survey information.
   3. If problems persist, email DOH ASAP.

If you have any questions, DOH is ready to help.  Please email either covidadultcareinfo@health.ny.gov or covidnursinghomeinfo@health.ny.gov as soon as a question or an issue appears, so that they can troubleshoot the problem together. Tests that need to be returned should be mailed to:

DHSES
HVCC: Conway Ice Arena
80 Vandenburgh Ave
Troy, NY 12180