AHCA/NCAL COVID-19 Update | OSHA Withdraws Healthcare ETS, Vaccine Mandate ETS Now Applies to All Providers
This evening the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its website to withdraw the non-record keeping portions of the healthcare emergency temporary standards (ETS) issued in June. The ETS is no longer in effect, however, the record keeping requirements in the ETS will continue as they were adopted under another section of the OSHA Act.
OSHA intends to issue a final standard in the coming months that will incorporate much of the June ETS. Meanwhile OSHA strongly encourages all health care employers to continue to implement the ETS’s requirements and notes they will continue enforcement of COVID safety standards through the general duty clause.
Due to the withdrawal of the June healthcare ETS, health care employers, including all assisted living, nursing or other long term care providers, are now subject to OSHA’s vaccine mandate ETS.
Additional COVID-19 Updates
CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Quarantine Period: Today, the CDC announced changes to their COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public, which includes long term care residents. They will shorten both the isolation and quarantine periods based on new data regarding infectiousness and the Omicron variant. Read More
Update on Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund and ARP Rural Payments: HRSA provided updated information on the status of PRF Phase 4 and ARP Rural Payments. Topics include size of Phase 4 awards, additional detail on Phase 4 methodology, update on hospital funds transfer to SNFs, and updated timelines regarding receipt of funds and provider requests for individualized support. Reporting Period 2 begins on January 1, 2022 and the extended Reporting Period 1 ended on December 20, 2021. No additional Reporting Period 1 extensions will be offered. Due to technical difficulties during the Reporting Period 1 dates, HRSA urges providers to submit as soon as possible. Read More
Please email COVID19@ahca.org for additional questions, or visit ahcancal.org/coronavirus for more information.
NYSHFA/NYSCAL CONTACTS:
Lisa Volk, RN, B.P.S., LNHA
Director, Clinical & Quality Services
518-462-4800 x15
Jackie Pappalardi, RN, BSN
Executive Director
518-462-4800 x16
