Health care professionals from all care settings are encouraged to use the resources listed in this change package to help care for patients at risk of contracting COVID-19.

This is the PDF handout from the TMF QIN-QIO's recorded webinar about Nursing Home Tips for Success.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Pemgarda (pemivibart) for the prevention of COVID-19 in certain adults and adolescents on March 22, 2024.

This fact sheet provides the latest COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all persons.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised COVID-19 vaccination recommendations. This flyer helps nursing home staff, residents and visitors understand whether they are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations now.

Nursing facilities can copy and paste this form letter to communicate with their residents and family members about the updated COVID-19 vaccines.

On April 1, 2024 (Quarter 2), the instructions for reporting COVID-19 vaccinations in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) changed. Refer to and display this new infographic to educate your nursing facility staff.

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a collaborative conversation style for strengthening motivation and commitment to change. TMF's MI Toolkit includes trainings, fact sheets, videos and audio podcasts to help you utilize effective techniques.

Spring is in the air — and so is COVID-19! It is now recommended that people over 65 get an additional 2023-2024 vaccine dose. Display this flyer in nursing facilities to educate staff and residents.

As of March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people ages 65 years and older should receive one additional dose of any 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine at least four months following the previous dose of the updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Refer to this fact sheet for specific guidance.

In this 12-minute audio podcast, TMF's Russell Kohl, MD, chief medical officer and chief operating officer, Clifford Moy, MD, behavioral health medical director, and Melinda Quinn, quality improvement specialist, discuss vaccines as well as some of the hesitancy and resistance some people have. It is an enlightening Q&A that provides important medical perspectives.

Download this poster to promote updated COVID-19 vaccinations in your facility.

This webpage provides general information on COVID-19 vaccines through a list of commonly asked questions. These questions will continue to evolve with time, so check back frequently for the most up-to-date information.

Why have there been so many COVID-19 vaccines since 2020? This infographic displays how the vaccines have to keep up with COVID-19 variants, starting from the initial variants to the current variants in circulation.

On Feb. 28, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the recommendation for adults ages 65 years and older to receive an additional updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine dose. The recommendation acknowledges the increased risk of severe disease from COVID-19 in older adults, along with the currently available data on vaccine effectiveness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) presented a national webinar featuring the TMF QIN-QIO's work with Birchwood of Beeville, Texas, nursing home on Jan. 31, 2024. Hear directly from nursing home teams that developed successful strategies to overcome COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and fatigue, schedule onsite vaccination clinics and address staff turnover.

The spectrum of medical therapies to treat COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Here is the latest information on therapeutics.

Did you know that each day more than 98,000 people need to see a doctor because of injuries at home? This quick Powtoon, or video cartoon, illustrates how risky our daily lives are in comparison to getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Older Americans who are not vaccinated are at greater risk of serious illness. Read this press release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advising vaccines to protect older adults against all three fall/winter respiratory illnesses: flu, COVID-19 and RSV.

In this Dec. 19, 2023, recording, learn how Holmes County Long Term Care (LTC) in Durant, Mississippi, used a “vaccine blitz” to double COVID-19 vaccination rates. Simple instructions guide you to increase your facility’s up-to-date rates, too.

Use this simple roadmap to delegate steps and increase COVID-19 up-to-date vaccination rates in nursing homes.

Discover how Holmes County Long-Term Care in Durant, Mississippi, was able to double its resident up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination rates in just one month with assistance from the TMF QIN-QIO.

Here are five reasons for grandparents to be up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine.

In this Dec. 7, 2023, recording, experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal tips and strategies to increase vaccine uptake for this respiratory virus season, and provide useful infection prevention resources for long-term care facilities.

In this Nov. 28, 2023, recording, learn how Morningside Manor at The Meadows in San Antonio, Texas, used education and vaccine champions to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates.

This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) link provides guidance for storage, preparation, scheduling, administration and dosage for all updated 2023-2024 Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine products.

This CDC link provides guidance for storage, preparation, scheduling, administration and dosage for all updated 2023-2024 Moderna COVID-19 vaccine products.

This CDC link provides guidance for storage, preparation, scheduling, administration and dosage for all updated 2023-2024 Novavax COVID-19 vaccine products.

Use this simple planning form when talking with nursing facility residents about immunizations (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, shingles).

This tool shows how to measure and improve staff morale with proven strategies and ideas to celebrate and motivate your staff.

Display this immunizations infographic in facilities to show how vaccines control, eliminate and eradicate disease.

TMF's Nursing Home team lists some common concerns that people give for not receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine, followed by reasons why being up to date is important.

This tool can be useful in approaching discussions about vaccinations such as COVID-19, flu, pneumonia, etc.

Nursing facilities can use this toolkit for the latest resources and updates about reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) created this toolkit to help long-term care providers encourage and facilitate vaccinations among their residents and staff.

The COVID-19 vaccine was available to the public so quickly because the research had already started 30 years ago. Here are the facts about mRNA vaccines.

Use this tool to identify process gaps and improvement opportunities related to influenza, pneumonia and COVID-19 vaccines.

Nursing facility leadership are encouraged to use this document to review strategies to use to encourage their nursing staff and residents to receive the flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation has released an environmental scan that details the improvements made to COVID-19 testing and vaccination rates, in particular highlighting individuals who are at a disproportionate risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19 or experiencing related adverse outcomes because of chronic conditions.

Nursing facilities can use this toolkit for the latest resources and updates about COVID-19 vaccines.

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the potentially serious outcomes of COVID-19 illness this fall and winter.

Download this fillable checklist to help plan your nursing home facility's COVID-19 vaccine clinic. Each step of the way is outlined, including helpful resources.

Celebrate and recognize the Vaccine Champions on your nursing facility staff with this Word template. Add a photo, your logo and own words and post this flyer in your facility to promote your staff and their commitment to infection prevention.

Engage nursing home residents with this fun educational word game.

Use this planning form when talking with nursing facility residents about their COVID-19 vaccination status.

In this Sept. 12, 2023, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network–Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists discuss the importance of the updated COVID-19 vaccine, routine vaccinations for older adults this season and our new immunization resources toolkit.

This success story shows how Morningside at the Meadows, a senior living community in San Antonio, Texas, managed to get all residents up to date with the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine.

Promote and recognize the COVID-19 vaccine champions in your nursing homes with this flyer that allows them to personalize their reason why it is important. What is your why?

Nursing facilities can use these flu, pneumonia, COVID-19 and RSV immunization resources for staff, residents and family.

National Public Radio (NPR) regularly answers frequently asked questions about the coronavirus. In this article, find out when protection of COVID vaccines and boosters wane and more.

Did you know that only 26.6% of persons who identify as Hispanic/Latino are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations? This infographic reveals data about how COVID-19 has affected Hispanic/Latino communities.

In this Aug. 22, 2023, recording, learn how cultural disparities, generational factors and gender can affect COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. TMF QIN-QIO specialists discuss ways to leverage this information to develop new understandings and design processes to overcome vaccine hesitancy.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff Group Facilitator’s Guide makes it easy to integrate this training into existing staff meetings or orientations and fosters team collaboration. Nursing homes that complete the CMS training will help QIN-QIOs document COVID-19 infection prevention and control training among 75 percent of staff members in your facility.

Use this form to keep nursing facility staff up to date with current immunizations recommendations, maintain complete, up-to-date resident records, and maintain and protect your vaccine supplies.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a higher incidence of death in the Black population from COVID-19 than the U.S. population as a whole. This flyer also includes information about the vaccine research and benefits.

What are the risks and symptoms of Long COVID-19? Refer to this infographic for details.

Display this poster about preventing Long COVID and getting up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations in your facility.

With some perseverance and free technical assistance and education resources from the TMF QIN-QIO, Victoria Gardens of Frisco, Texas, succeeded in convincing 30 residents and family that the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine is necessary.

What is mRNA? What is in the vaccine? Refer to this fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for quick answers to these questions and more.

Look for this Vaccine Champion logo on nursing home staff badges to answer your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine.

This flyer from the British Society for Immunology explains how the vaccines for COVID-19 have been developed so fast.

The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) could mean changes in reimbursement flexibilities related to Medicare telehealth and other types of remote and virtual care. This article explores those potential changes.

How can you motivate nursing home staff to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations? Here are some proven ideas and best practices to incentivize vaccine champions in your facility.

How can the TMF QIN-QIO help your nursing facility? See what other nursing homes have to say about our quality improvement expertise, especially with COVID-19 vaccinations, in this short testimonial video.

Learn how Sharpview Residence and Rehabilitation Center in Houston increased its resident and employee COVID-19 bivalent vaccination rates.

In this March 21, 2023, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists share ideas on how ancillary departments such as housekeeping, dietary, physical therapy and activities can be keys to increasing bivalent vaccination rates. Learn how to empower non-clinical staff to join efforts that may be considered a “clinical” responsibility.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides COVID-19 tools, information and action steps to share with your family, friends and health care providers.

In this March 14, 2023, recording, leadership from Jefferson County Nursing Home in Fayette, Mississippi, discusses how they increased resident bivalent vaccination rates by more than 80% and have remained COVID-19 free since August 2022.

Learn how Jefferson County Nursing Home in Fayette, Mississippi, increased resident bivalent vaccination rates by more than 80% and have remained COVID-19 free since August 2022.

In this March 7, 2023, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists share best practices regarding nursing home staffing and discuss how vital organizational culture is to staff satisfaction and morale. We also provide an update on regional bivalent vaccination rates.

In this Feb. 28, 2023, recording, Diana Cervantes, DrPH, professor at the University of North Texas Center for Older Adults, shares infection prevention and control best practices for respiratory illness outbreaks, including the role of COVID-19 vaccination.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new overview fact sheet that provides more information about CMS waivers, flexibilities and the transition forward from the COVID-19 public health emergency.

In this Feb. 21, 2023, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists demonstrate information in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), including addressing common challenges with up-to-date reporting of COVID-19 vaccinations

Discover how the staff at Park View Care Center in Fort Worth, Texas, successfully implemented a program to allow available space for all new admissions and readmissions, including those with COVID-19.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission Long-term Care (LTC) Regulation has published Provider Letter 2023-05, which describes the waivers that are ending, the waivers still in place and the waivers that previously ended in regard to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

In this Feb. 14, 2023, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists share how to build and maintain trust with staff and residents to increase bivalent vaccinations

On Feb. 14, 2023, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

In this Feb. 7, 2023, recording, this series finale addresses COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and other barriers. TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists also reveal tips for effective bivalent vaccine campaigns.

On Feb. 7, 2023, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

The ultimate goal in using MI is to empower others in developing change talk. The more change talk that people do, the more likely they are to commit to different behaviors. This final episode covers skills to help others recognize their need for change and begin planning for action.

In this Jan. 24, 2023, recording, learn how to leverage your Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) process to motivate staff and residents and ensure accurate reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

On Jan. 24, 2023, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

Find out how a TMF QIN-QIO specialist can help your nursing facility today with COVID-19 vaccine access, education, reporting assistance and quality improvement.

Here is a template for you to provide to your staff or nursing home residents who decline receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for medical or religious reasons. This document provides general information related to the law but does not provide legal advice.

Listening with empathy and understanding allows others to get unstuck, clarify values, explore the pros and cons of tough decisions and open doorways to change. This episode provides easy-to-use tactics to help with the willingness to explore options and gain vaccine acceptance.

In this Jan. 10, 2023, recording, the TMF QIN-QIO begins a three-part series by reviewing up-to-date information and guiding you in reaching 100% COVID-19 up-to-date vaccinations.

Without using the basic motivationaI interviewing skills, you can miss an opportunity to help someone make a change. This episode discusses how to communicate to quickly build trust and rapport, enabling you to understand motivation and the factors making change difficult.

On Jan. 10, 2023, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

COVID-19 cases are increasing. Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and timely access to treatment are the best ways to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. Here are the latest facts and resources from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

On Jan. 3, 2023, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

Read this success story to learn why and how Jones County Rest Home in Ellis, Mississippi went back to the basics of proper hand hygiene after investigating the cause of a COVID-19 outbreak at their facility.

Read this success story about Good Shepherd Lutheran Home's efforts to find the possible initial cause of and contain a sudden COVID-19 outbreak in August 2022. The practices and education they put in place will help to prevent future outbreaks.

In this Jan. 3, 2023, recording, the TMF QIN-QIO helps your staff use Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) tools to ensure continuous improvement in COVID-19 bivalent vaccine rates

In this first episode of a four-part series, TMF QIN-QIO specialists introduce the concept of motivational interviewing and the GRACE tool, which uses nonjudgmental conversation to help someone understand their own “why” for making a change.

In this Dec. 27, 2022, recording, the TMF QIN-QIO provides updates and guidance for the challenges of winter in nursing facilities, including concerning viruses and new COVID-19 variants, up-to-date vaccinations, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in older adults.

On Dec. 27, 2022, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)

On Dec. 20, 2022, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

In this Dec. 20, 2022, recording, learn how Good Shepherd Lutheran Home worked with the TMF QIN-QIO to achieve nearly 100% COVID-19 vaccination rates for their residents.

On Dec. 13, 2022, TMF QIN-QIO specialists provided a brief update on reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

In this Dec. 13, 2022, recording, learn how Ponderosa Villa got up to date with the bivalent COVID-19 booster the first week it was available.

There are four color levels for mask guidance classified by the CDC based on local county COVID-19 transmission rates. Use these signs in your facility to show your local county's current transmission rate level and mask guidance.

Here is the PowerPoint presentation from TMF's Dec. 6, 2022, Nursing Home Office Hours, which includes recent state National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reports.

Make a COVID-19 plan now so you’re prepared. Plan for options for work, childcare, and other responsibilities that may cause stress if you were to become sick. Download this three-page handout from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to get started.

This fall the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated COVID-19 testing recommendations that coincided with the new bivalent boosters. In this Nov. 29, 2022, recording, TMF QIN-QIO specialists review these recommendations and provide updates.

In this Nov. 22, 2022, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists provide information on caring for residents with cognitive impairments while keeping them safe.

In this Nov. 15, 2022, recording, TMF QIN-QIO specialists discuss infection control procedures, including COVID-19 vaccinations, as a way to prevent sepsis.

Get Ahead of Sepsis is a national educational effort that emphasizes the importance of early recognition, timely treatment, reassessment of antibiotic needs, and prevention of infections. Here are sepsis fact sheets, infographics, posters, brochures and social media content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In this Nov. 8, 2022, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists provide an update on treatments, precautions and vaccine recommendations, specifically for residents with diabetes.

How can your health care office bill for administering the Novavax booster? Who is eligible to receive the Novavax booster? Read the latest entry in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Medicare Learning Network newsletter for the new CPT codes and list of eligibility.

In our recent Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) During COVID-19 series, we introduced a fun tool called QAPI Land. In this Nov. 1, 2022, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists show you how to engage your staff and track progress with this tool to improve COVID-19 vaccine and booster rates.

Here is the PowerPoint from TMF QIN-QIO's open Q&A session on Oct. 25, 2022.

In this Oct. 18, 2022, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists discuss ways to ensure that everyone has the recommended COVID-19 boosters and are taking the right precautions to help keep staff and residents safe during the busy visitor season.

Check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest answers to commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccinations.

The fall season brings new information regarding COVID-19 boosters, flu and pneumonia vaccines, and many more immunizations. What is “up to date” now? In this Oct. 11, 2022, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists provide the latest guidance and a brief update on National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting. Download the PDF handout at https://tmfnetworks.org/link?u=b91be5.

A new CDC report shows that in a large cohort of nursing home residents, receipt of a second mRNA COVID-19 booster dose during circulation of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants was 74% effective at 60 days against severe COVID-19–related outcomes (including hospitalization or death), and 90% against death alone compared with receipt of a single booster dose.

This Oct. 4, 2022, recording closes out the TMF QIN-QIO series on Motivational Interviewing with developing a plan for change. COVID-19 vaccination decisions must be followed up with a plan that details goals, barriers and solutions, and breaks the action into small steps. TMF specialists provide practical tools to help accomplish this. Download the PDF handout at https://tmfnetworks.org/link?u=037704.

Motivational interviewing, a collaborative conversation style for strengthening motivation and commitment to change, may serve as an effective approach to mitigate vaccine hesitancy in the clinical setting.

This Sept. 27, 2022, recording discusses how to manage resistance to change. You will learn skills to help others get unstuck, clarify values, explore the pros and cons of tough decisions, and create “change talk.” These easy-to-use tactics can help gain COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Download the PDF handout at https://tmfnetworks.org/link?u=10bba4.

Here are some ideas that nursing facilities have shared recently for engaging residents and their families as they transition into facilities for both short stays and long-term care.

In this Sept. 20, 2022, recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) specialists teach basic communication skills to quickly build trust and rapport, enabling you to understand motivation and all the factors making change difficult. Viewers also learn how to apply these concepts to conversations about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters. Download the PDF handout at https://tmfnetworks.org/link?u=fefffb.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created an introduction to Motivational Interviewing for health care professionals.

This Sept. 13, 2022, recorded event begins a four-session series focused on Motivational Interviewing. TMF QIN-QIO specialists share a variety of tools and strategies to help you evoke people’s priorities, experiences and ideas for behavior change, including exploring COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that people with Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program coverage, private insurance coverage, or no health coverage can get COVID-19 vaccines, including the updated Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines, at no cost, for as long as the federal government continues purchasing and distributing these COVID-19 vaccines.

This Sept. 6, 2022, session wraps up the TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization’s (QIN-QIO) Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) series with a self-assessment guide. TMF specialists walk you through a sample assessment based on improving COVID-19 booster rates.

This Aug. 30, 2022, recording of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) series begins with a discussion on strategies to help boost nursing home vaccine rates with short-stay residents. Then a panel of TMF QIN-QIO specialists answer questions related to nursing home challenges with COVID-19 and vaccinations

In this Aug. 23, 2022, recording of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) series, TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization consultants illustrate how to gather data from Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles to decide if you will adapt, adopt or abandon your tests of change. Listeners will also learn how to communicate your findings to leadership and set your change in action.

In this Aug. 16, 2022, recording of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) series, learn how to develop SMART goals to advance your change efforts to improve COVID-19 booster acceptance. The TMF Quality Improvement Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) guides you in creating a successful plan using proven performance improvement tools, and in determining process, outcome and balancing measures to track your progress. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII8-16-22.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website to learn more about the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, including who is eligible to receive it and how many doses are given.

In this Aug. 9, 2022, recording of the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) series, the TMF QIN-QIO reviews continuous improvement tools that help nursing homes identify the source problem and potential solutions affecting COVID-19 booster acceptance. We discuss tools such as root cause analysis (RCA), the Five Whys Tool, and a fishbone diagram. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII8-9-22.

In this Aug. 2, 2022, webinar recording, the TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) kicks off a series explaining Quality Assurance Performance Improvement (QAPI) tools, methods and applications, and how to incorporate them into your daily nursing home operations.Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII8-2-22.

Read this article in the New England Journal of Medicine to learn how the drugs developed to treat the virus that causes COVID-19 works, especially against the five sublineages of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

In this July 26, 2022, webinar recording, the TMF Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) discusses how some facilities have developed creative ways to maintain open communication with residents and their families and encouraged COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII7-26-22.

In this July 12, 2022, webinar recording, TMF QIN-QIO provides an update on the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) reporting requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, as well as the latest recommendations. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII7-12-22.

In this July 5, 2022, webinar recording, we spotlight the best ideas that we have found this year to overcome daily challenges with COVID-19 and vaccinations in nursing facilities. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII7-5-22.

In this June 28, 2022, webinar recording, TMF Quality Innovation Network's (QIN) behavioral health medical director Clifford Moy, MD, leads a discussion about health equity in the provision of COVID-19 vaccinations, and reviews the concepts and definitions of this topic as it applies to nursing facilities. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII6-28-22.

Staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters is a primary line of defense for this illness. In this June 21, 2022, webinar recording, TMF reviews vaccination information, then focuses on competency checks versus observational audits, and their importance in infection prevention and control practices. We also review the tools used and briefly discuss the World Health Organization’s multimodal approach to decreasing health care-associated infections. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII6-21-22.

This fact sheet from AMDA answers frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccine boosters, including why they are needed, who is eligible, and whether vaccine types can be mixed and matched.

This worksheet identifies the main concerns people have about getting a COVID-19 vaccine or booster and shares strategies for decreasing vaccine fears, addressing misinformation and increasing the number of people getting the vaccine and booster shots.

In this June 14, 2022, webinar recording Marilyn Pattillo, PhD, RN, FAAN, APRN, discusses nursing home preparedness for the next epidemic or pandemic. The discussion includes durable medical supplies, education and training, and staffing. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII6-14-22.

In this June 7, 2022, webinar recording TMF’s Infection Preventionist Samuel Elenwo, BS, MPH, CIC, looks at the distinction between the common cold, flu, allergies and COVID-19. He will review the causes, mode of transmission, treatment, prevention and best practices to break the chain of infection. Download the PDF handout at https://bit.ly/QII6-7-22.

In this May 31, 2022, webinar recording TMF specialists review the important factors in maintaining continuity of facility operations when key staff members leave. We cover preparing for continued NHSN reporting, infection preventionist activity, as well as policy and procedure maintenance.

Organizational culture has a major impact on staff satisfaction, retention and COVID-19 vaccination rates. In this May 24, 2022, webinar recording TMF reviews the impact leadership rounding can have on building a positive culture.

What is herd immunity or community immunity? Both phrases mean the same thing. The strategy behind the phrases is to make sure there are enough people in the community who are either not able to catch a disease or not able to spread the disease so that the disease dies out. Listen to this podcast with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, and Clifford Moy, MD, the behavioral health medical director at TMF, to learn more.

How does the body defend against infections? How can vaccines improve immunity? Listen to this podcast with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, and Clifford Moy, MD, the behavioral health medical director at TMF, to learn more.

We know that when you get a vaccination, it stimulates the production of antibodies. Vaccinations help train our bodies to defend against infectious agents. Listen to this podcast with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, and Clifford Moy, MD, the behavioral health medical director at TMF, to learn more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance for COVID-19 vaccination. To view all updates, please visit the CDC webpage for Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States.

This May 10, 2022, webinar recording discusses strategies for successful recruitment, hiring and retention of staff for long-term care facilities during COVID-19. In addition to TMF specialists, nursing facility leaders also share specific suggestions.

The burden of COVID-19, including vaccination mandates and changes, has affected all staff. This May 3, 2022, webinar recording continues our discussion from the LTC Connect on April 21, and talks about strategies that nursing facilities may use to deal with burnout and compassion fatigue.

This April 26, 2022, webinar recording provides tools and strategies to develop your own vaccine clinic and the role community partnerships may play in this endeavor.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued new codes, effective March 29, 2022, for the Moderna vaccine booster and administration.

This April 12, 2022, webinar recording reveals how COVID-19 has impacted the hospital admission and readmission rates for nursing homes. We also discuss resident transitions to and from the hospital, and the importance of improving communication to assure safe transitions.

This April 5, 2022, webinar recording presents the latest guidelines and common misinformation, with a pharmacist providing insight into how to respond to common misinformation. We also review the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines through the different variants.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new test-to-treat program to allow anyone who thinks they may have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 to get tested and receive treatment, if appropriate, all in the same location.

This March 29, 2022, webinar recording discusses the guidelines for medical and religious exemptions reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), and the impact these exemptions have on vaccine measures for facilities.

This March 22, 2022, webinar recording takes a deep dive into common areas of misunderstanding, such as vaccine development, antibody protection, and how herd immunity works. Additionally, tactics are shared for how concepts can be communicated effectively.

Which is safer for building immunity -- getting a COVID-19 vaccine or getting sick with the disease? This article from the Texas Medical Association (TMA) has the answers.

This March 8, 2022, webinar recording focuses on the impact of health literacy in vaccine hesitancy. Strategies are shared to tailor communications for different populations and individual factors such as attitudes, culture, education and stress levels.

Download this fillable flyer to announce your long-term care facility's next COVID-19 vaccine clinic date.

This March 1, 2022, webinar recording explores common staffing challenges and innovative solutions developed by nursing home facilities during the pandemic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released this summary (PDF) of interim clinical considerations for the use of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its summary document for interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized or approved in the United States.

View this webpage on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website to download the latest handouts listing clinical considerations and guidance for administering the COVID-19 vaccine to all eligible populations, as well as guidance for what to do - and how to avoid - vaccination administration errors.

Download this new poster for long-term care facilities to encourage residents to get COVID-19 booster shots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a new online checker to allow anyone to find levels of COVID-19 in their community. The site also provides prevention tips based on each community's level of the virus. Data updated weekly.

Download this one-page handout the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed and hang it in your office to help encourage staff and patients or residents to get their COVID-19 booster shot.

This Feb. 22, 2022, webinar recording reviews methods to decrease friction and increase “fuel” to promote healthy behaviors in nursing homes in times of change.

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the emergency use of the monoclonal antibody bebtelovimab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adult and pediatric patients when they meet certain criteria.

This communication tool offers fuel-based interventions intended to increase vaccine uptake and friction-based interventions that respond to hidden barriers that hold people back from vaccination.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has created new interactive data dashboards to help increase awareness about the need for everyone who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

This Feb. 8, 2022, webinar recording is based on the “Crucial Conversations” method, and provides tools for how to have a safe conversation about vaccinations and boosters when the stakes are high. Because there are differing opinions, it can be emotionally charged. Wendy Bradley, LPC-MHSP, CPHQ, TMF's director of behavioral health integration, and Clifford Moy, MD, TMF's behavioral health medical director, are the featured presenters.

The Mississippi State Department of Health lists the latest information about COVID-19 vaccinations.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is posting data on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots administered to nursing home residents and staff on the Medicare.gov Care Compare website. The data will show resident and staff booster rates at the facility level and will include national and state averages.

Listen to this webinar recording from Feb. 1, 2022, to learn practical, skills-based methods you and your team can apply to explore vaccine resistance and address residents’ and caregivers’ questions and concerns. Clifford Moy, MD, TMF's behavioral health medical director, and Wendy Bradley, LPC-MHSP, CPHQ, TMF's director of behavioral health integration, are the featured presenters.

Listen to this webinar recording from Jan. 25, 2022, as Russell Kohl, MD, TMF's chief medical officer, provides a quick overview of best practices for COVID-19 testing, treatment (including vaccines and boosters) and return-to-work protocols for nursing homes.

This quality improvement plan provides an example of how to identify a concern, determine the root cause(s) and develop a plan with outcome measures. This is to be used only as a reference.

The CDC explains the different types of COVID-19 tests and offers online testing tools.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated the Nursing Home Visitation FAQs to give additional guidance about visitation during the Omicron surge.

Who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, and when should they get one? View this quick breakdown from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to learn more.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has announced that insurance companies and group health plans will be required to cover the cost of over-the-counter, at-home COVID-19 tests beginning Jan. 15, 2022.

Listen to this podcast from the week of Nov. 1, 2021, with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, to learn who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot and which booster shot individuals can get.

Listen to this podcast from the week of Nov. 1, 2021, with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, as he discusses the science and studies leading to the emergency authorization use of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 pediatric vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 years old.

This toolkit provides information about COVID-19, including resources on steps to preventing the spread of the virus, building trust in vaccines, providing guidance on vaccinations and learning more about the different variants.

Watch and share this video with patients and loved ones who have chronic health conditions to educate them on why getting the COVID-19 vaccine is so important.

Listen to this podcast from the week of Aug. 30, 2021, with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute. Dr. Kohl explains what viral variants are, how they respond to vaccines, and why getting vaccinated and wearing masks are both still important protective measures to follow to help protect yourself and others from being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

Listen to this podcast from the week of Aug. 30, 2021, with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute. Dr. Kohl explains the process the drug manufacturer, Pfizer/BioNTech, followed to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021 for its COVID-19 vaccine.

Listen to this recording from the week of Aug. 16, 2021, with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute. Dr. Kohl gives an update on what states in the TMF region have experiened with the surge of the delta variant, the status of COVID-19 vaccinations, deaths and a look at vaccination rates among medical personnel in nursing homes.

Listen to this recording from the week of Aug. 16, 2021, with Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, to learn what has changed with the COVID-19 vaccine and why booster shots are now being recommended.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is developing an emergency regulation requiring staff COVID-19 vaccinations within the nation’s more than 15,000 Medicare- and Medicaid-participating nursing homes.

The Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations for both the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to allow for an additional dose in certain immunocompromised people.

Read this update on COVID-19 and the delta variant from Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, chief medical officer at TMF Health Quality Institute, and Clifford Moy, MD, behavioral health medical director at TMF Health Quality Institute. Share this information with your patients, residents, co-workers, families, friends and your community to help educate everyone on what they can do to reduce infections and hospitalizations.

View this video featuring nationally recognized women's health physician Gloria Richard-Davis, MD, MBA, NCMP, FACOG, with the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences (UAMS), who addresses common fertility concerns with COVID-19 vaccines and why it is important to receive the vaccine.

Provides an overview of current COVID-19 vaccines and guidance for uses in pregnant, recently pregnant and nonpregnant individuals.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, has issued the first Surgeon General's Advisory of this Administration to warn the American public about the urgent threat of health misinformation during the COVID-19 vaccination push.

This article discusses the risk of severe illness with COVID-19 versus COVID-19-vaccinated women who are currently breastfeeding or pregnant and/or planning for future pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has outlined training and guidance to assist vaccinators to overcome challenges associated with delivering COVID-19 vaccinations to access-challenged and hard-to-reach individuals.

Health care providers can use this prevaccination checklist from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to use with residents and patients who are interested to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

This document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a list of COVID-19 vaccination training programs and reference materials for health care professionals.

View this list of long-term care pharmacies enrolled in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program to provide the COVID-19 vaccine. Jurisdictions can contact these federal pharmacy partners to request a transfer to allocate vaccines to long-term care facility staff and residents in their communities. Note: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates this list regularly.

The de Beaumont Foundation offers concise, practical guidance around language and messaging to support vaccine acceptance. This toolkit includes communication tips and specific recommended language emerging from a broader survey conducted on the topic.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued new guidance removing barriers to COVID-19 diagnostic testing and vaccinations, and strengthening requirements that plans and issuers cover diagnostic testing without cost sharing.

The Food and Drug Administration’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity has released two videos that speak to the importance of COVID-19 vaccines, how communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and how it is important to get vaccinated to protect themselves and loved ones from the virus. The videos are available in English and Spanish.

View this video featuring Monika Maxwell, RN, who shares her perspective, as a Hispanic woman in health care, on why minority communities may be hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Do you know how to code for administering a COVID-19 vaccine? View this webpage from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for more information.

View this video featuring renowned long-term care practitioner Joleann Beene, RN-BC, IP-BC, FACDONA, CDP, CADDCT, who shares her experience with receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and discusses the importance of all nursing home team members being vaccinated.

View this video featuring Jill Vianco, administrator of Advanced Rehabilitation & Healthcare of Vernon, Texas, discussing the importance of long-term care team members protecting their residents by receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

View this video featuring Carolyn Worley, a resident at Advanced Rehabilitation & Healthcare of Vernon, Texas, who provides a resident's point of view about the importance of all nursing home team members receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Health care providers can view this webpage from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to learn how to enroll in Medicare to bill for administering COVID-19 vaccines.

This video features writer, actor, producer and director Tyler Perry, who discusses the COVID-19 vaccine with medical experts. The interview includes information about how the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines work, the science and history behind the vaccine development, and the reasons for vaccine hesitancy in people of color.

View this video featuring Russell Kohl, MD, FAAFP, TMF chief medical officer, who discusses the impacts of COVID-19 in nursing homes and the vaccines that have been released to fight COVID-19 in the U.S.

What do you need to know to get a COVID-19 vaccine? View this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for answers to your questions about the vaccine, including where to sign up to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) is implementing 21 new procedure codes into the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Procedure Coding System (ICD-10_PCS) for COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.

Is a nursing home resident or employee "up to date" on their COVID-19 vaccinations? Refer to this infographic in Spanish for Puerto Rico to understand current "up-to-date" definitions when reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

Nursing facilities can copy and paste this form letter in Spanish for Puerto Rico to communicate with their residents and family members about the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Spring is in the air — and so is COVID-19! It is now recommended that people over 65 get an additional 2023-2024 vaccine dose. Display this flyer in Spanish for Puerto Rico to educate staff and residents in nursing facilities.

As of March 2024, people ages 65 years and older should receive one additional dose of any 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine at least four months following the previous dose of the updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Refer to this fact sheet in Spanish for Puerto Rico for specific guidance.

This fact sheet in Spanish for Puerto Rico provides the latest COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all persons.

Download this Spanish for Puerto Rico poster to promote up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations in your facility.

The spectrum of medical therapies to treat COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Here is the latest information on therapeutics in Spanish for Puerto Rico.

Use this simple planning form in Spanish for Puerto Rico when talking with nursing facility residents about immunizations (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, shingles).

Display this immunizations infographic in Spanish for Puerto Rico to show how vaccines control, eliminate and eradicate disease.

This tool in Spanish for Puerto Rico shows how to measure and improve staff morale with proven strategies and ideas to celebrate and motivate your staff.

Nursing facility leadership are encouraged to use this document to review strategies to use to encourage their nursing staff and residents to receive the flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines.

In this Spanish for Puerto Rico question and answer (Q&A) sheet, TMF's Nursing Home team lists some common concerns that people give for not receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine, followed by reasons why being up to date is important.

The COVID-19 vaccine was available to the public so quickly because the research had already started 30 years ago. Here are the facts about mRNA vaccines in Spanish for Puerto Rico.

Use this care plan form in Spanish for Puerto Rico when talking with nursing facility residents about their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Use this form in Spanish for Puerto Rico to keep nursing facility staff up to date with current immunizations recommendations, maintain complete, up-to-date resident records, and maintain and protect your vaccine supplies.

What are the risks and symptoms of Long COVID-19? Refer to this infographic in Spanish for Puerto Rico for details.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a higher incidence of death in the Black population from COVID-19 than the U.S. population as a whole. This flyer in Spanish for Puerto Rico also includes information about the vaccine research and benefits.

Protect your grandkids and families this season by getting the updated COVID-19 vaccination.

How can you motivate nursing home staff to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations? Here are some proven ideas and best practices in Spanish for Puerto Rico to incentivize vaccine champions in your facility.

Did you know that only 26.6% of persons who identify as Hispanic/Latino are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations? This infographic in Spanish for Puerto Rico reveals data about how COVID-19 has affected Hispanic/Latino communities.

There are four color levels for mask guidance classified by the CDC based on local county COVID-19 transmission rates. Use these signs in Spanish for Puerto Rico to show your local county's current transmission rate level and mask guidance.

Here in Spanish for Puerto Rico are five reasons for grandparents to be up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is a nursing home resident or employee "up to date" on their COVID-19 vaccinations? Refer to this infographic in U.S. Spanish to understand current "up-to-date" definitions when reporting in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

Nursing facilities can copy and paste this U.S. Spanish form letter to communicate with their residents and family members about the updated COVID-19 vaccine.

Spring is in the air — and so is COVID-19! It is now recommended that people over 65 get an additional 2023-2024 vaccine dose. Display this U.S. Spanish flyer in nursing facilities to educate staff and residents.

As of March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends people ages 65 years and older should receive one additional dose of any 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine at least four months following the previous dose of the updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine. Refer to this fact sheet in U.S. Spanish for specific guidance.

This U.S. Spanish fact sheet provides the latest COVID-19 vaccine recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for all persons.

Download this U.S. Spanish poster to promote up-to-date COVID-19 vaccinations in your facility.

The spectrum of medical therapies to treat COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Here is the latest information on therapeutics in U.S. Spanish.

Here in U.S. Spanish are five reasons for grandparents to be up to date with the COVID-19 vaccine.

Use this simple planning form in U.S. Spanish when talking with nursing facility residents about immunizations (flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, shingles).

This U.S. Spanish tool shows how to measure and improve staff morale with proven strategies and ideas to celebrate and motivate your staff.

Display this U.S. Spanish immunizations infographic in facilities to show how vaccines control, eliminate and eradicate disease.

Nursing facility leadership are encouraged to use this document to review strategies to use to encourage their nursing staff and residents to receive the flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines.

In this U.S. Spanish question and answer (Q&A) sheet, TMF's Nursing Home team lists some common concerns that people give for not receiving the updated COVID-19 vaccine, followed by reasons why being up to date is important.

The COVID-19 vaccine was available to the public so quickly because the research had already started 30 years ago. Here are the facts about mRNA vaccines in U.S. Spanish.

Use this care plan form in U.S. Spanish when talking with nursing facility residents about their COVID-19 vaccination status.

Use this form in U.S. Spanish to keep nursing facility staff up to date with current immunizations recommendations, maintain complete, up-to-date resident records, and maintain and protect your vaccine supplies.

Display this poster in U.S. Spanish about preventing Long COVID and getting up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations in your facility.

What are the risks and symptoms of Long COVID-19? Refer to this infographic in U.S. Spanish for details.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a higher incidence of death in the Black population from COVID-19 than the U.S. population as a whole. This flyer in U.S. Spanish also includes information about the vaccine research and benefits.

Protect your grandkids and families this season by getting the updated COVID-19 vaccination.

How can you motivate nursing home staff to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations? Here are some proven ideas and best practices in U.S. Spanish to incentivize vaccine champions in your facility.

Did you know that only 26.6% of persons who identify as Hispanic/Latino are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations? This infographic in U.S. Spanish reveals data about how COVID-19 has affected Hispanic/Latino communities.

There are four color levels for mask guidance classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based on local county COVID-19 transmission rates. Use these signs in U.S. Spanish to show your local county's current transmission rate level and mask guidance.

Here are some ideas that nursing facilities have shared recently for engaging residents and their families as they transition into facilities for both short stays and long-term care. (US Spanish)

Tal vez se pregunte si sus síntomas son los de una alergia o los de una infección como el COVID-19.

There are four color levels for mask guidance classified by the CDC based on local county COVID-19 transmission rates. Use these signs in Vietnamese to show your local county's current transmission rate level and mask guidance.