NYS Department of Health Webinar – Announcement of Updated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

On July 29, 2021, revised emergency regulations pertaining to Nursing Home PPE stockpile requirements were adopted. Skilled Nursing Facilities must be in compliance with such regulations as of August 31, 2021.

• Nursing Homes must continue to maintain a 60-day PPE stockpile.
• PPE stockpiles will no longer be calculated based on PPE burn rates but rather will be calculated using a touch-point methodology by Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and Kaiser data.
• The most recent PPE regulations do not expressly require nursing homes to stockpile face shields or goggles, however consistent with the Department’s November 24, 2020 guidance, “Health Advisory: Universal Use of Eye Protection,” the Department strongly recommends the use of eye protection, in addition to face masks, to prevent exposures.
• Please note: Each Nursing Home will receive an e-mail notification from the NYSDOH when their 60-day PPE stockpile requirements have been uploaded in the Health Commerce System.
• The e-mail will go to the following roles ONLY: Administrators, Directors of Nursing, and Operators.

After receiving an e-mail from the NYSDOH that your facility’s specific data has been uploaded, you can access your facility’s specific 60-day PPE stockpile requirements by following the steps below:

1. Sign into your HCS account.
2. Go to the “All Applications” (A-Z) tab on the top right of the screen.
3. Click on “H” and click on “Health Commerce Distribution Management System.”
4. This will then allow you to open your facility file (based on PFI number). 

If you have questions or issues accessing your data, please directly e-mail covidnursinghomeinfo@health.ny.gov and they will assist you.

The NYSDOH also reminded providers that there have been no changes to the Vaccination Requirements.

• Vaccination must be offered to all new admissions, readmissions, and new hires within 14 days.
• Any provider unable to adhere to these requirements must document their efforts in the resident or personnel record.
• Any resident or staff that refuses vaccine must have a signed declination on file.
• Declinations do not need to be re-signed with the re-adoption of the emergency regulations, however, the Department strongly encourages providers to reapproach residents and personnel that have previously refused vaccination.

NYSHFA/NYSCAL CONTACTS:

Jackie Pappalardi, RN, BSN
Executive Director
518-462-4800 x16