Related
(WWJ) A state task force formed to look into keeping Michigan nursing home residents and workers safe during the pandemic has sent 28 recommendations to the governor.
Among the ideas are exploring options for creating dedicated facilities and alternative care settings in case of a second surge of the virus, improving coordination of personal protective equipment distribution and allocation and securing funding for continued testing of nursing home residents.
This comes as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been criticized for her handling of longterm care facilities, including for sending COVID-19 patients back into nursing homes rather than otherwise placing them under quarantine.
State records show there have been more than 12,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among nursing home residents and workers, and 2,100 deaths.
Recommendations from the bi-partisan task force include:
• Continuing to use the regional hub program with strengthened guidance and protocols as Care and Recovery Centers.• Identifying and coordinating with hospitals with excess surge capacity.• Improving coordination of personal protective equipment distribution and allocation.• Securing funding for continue testing of nursing home residents.• Exploring options for creating dedicated facilities/alternative care settings.• Improving support of physical and mental health for staff.• Increasing opportunities for safe visitation.
Read more HERE.
The task force was co-chaired by Dr. Betty S. Chu, senior vice president and associate chief clinical officer/chief quality officer of Henry Ford Health System, and Roger Mali, II, owner and CEO of Mission Management Services, LLC in Troy, which specializes in skilled nursing care and senior housing management.
“We appreciate the Governor’s focus on this vulnerable population and value the opportunity for this task force of multidisciplinary experts to be able to provide specific improvements through analysis of our Michigan experience and national data,” said Chu.
The state says many of these recommendations are reinforced by evaluations of long-term care policy conducted by independent organizations, including the Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT). Based on interviews with clinical and policy experts as well as emerging research, CHRT presented independent recommendations regarding how to strengthen and build upon Michigan’s COVID-19 response that are also helping to inform the state’s actions.
“I am very pleased with the recommendations developed by the task force, and have full confidence that implementing these actions will improve the care, safety and wellness of Michigan’s most vulnerable population,” said Mali.
There's no timeline for putting the measures in place.
“I want to thank the members of the task force for their collaboration and support for the state’s ongoing focus on protecting Michigan’s most vulnerable populations,” said Whitmer, in a news release. “I will carefully review these recommendations and continue to work closely with the task force and our partners to strengthen policies to protect nursing home residents, staff, and their families.”
The task force report was funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.