The SE MN Disaster Health Coalition created new plan templates and guidelines, which we are proud to announce were adopted by MDH to help with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need assistance with creating these plans, please email LTC@semndhc.org to request assistance from one of the coalition staff.

• Continuity Staffing Plan Template & Guidelines
• Testing Plan Template
• Testing Plan Template Guidelines
• Pandemic Threat & Risk Assessment Guidelines
• Testing Plan Training Webinar PPT

Guidance Information:

• MN SEOC LTC Demobilization Plan
• Most Current CDC COVID-19 Guidance
• Most Current MDH COVID-19 Guidance
• CMS COVID Information
• MDH Provider Questions: call 651-201-5414
• Facilities should ensure residents, and their loved ones, have access to the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 651-431-2555 or 1-800-657-3591 to request advocacy services

1135 Waiver information for providers who are Federally Certified Providers, Nursing Homes, Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Independent Care Facilities, Home Care, Hospice, Dialysis Units, etc. Minnesota Department of Health receives requests and sends them to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Providers can send requests directly to CMS but must include the State to determine if a request is within state requirements to issue the waiver.

• CMS Issued Blanket Relief Waiver
• 1135 Waiver Background Information
• 1135 Waiver Request Process

On May 7, Governor Walz announced the 5-point battle plan to address the effects of COVID-19 on Long Term Care facilities.  The state requested all the regional healthcare coalitions to find ways to support this plan. The SE MN Disaster Health Coalition conducted a baseline survey on May 13 of current plans, resources, relationships, and activities within the region to use as part of the development of overall strategies to address the plan’s objectives.

The three approved planning documents created by the regional planning workgroup and approved by the SE MN DHC Advisory Committee on May 27 to meet the Governor’s mandate are below:

• SE MN DHC Regional Response Plan Supporting Healthcare Planning, Training, and Supplies
• SE MN DHC Regional Response Plan Supporting Healthcare Staffing
• SE & SC MN Coalition Regional Testing Plan

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Information:

The State of Minnesota has issued a Statewide COVID-19 PPE Allocation policy. As of September 1, your facility is required to upload and provide proof from two suppliers of order denial or back order in RedCap. If your facility is in need of PPE, submit a request here.

Statewide Healthcare Coordination Center (SHCC) Behavioral Health Staff Wellness resource website

• MN SEOC LTC Demobilization Plan
• Most Current CDC COVID-19 Guidance
• Most Current MDH COVID-19 Guidance
• CMS COVID Information
• MDH Provider Questions: call 651-201-5414
• Facilities should ensure residents, and their loved ones, have access to the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 651-431-2555 or 1-800-657-3591 to request advocacy services.

1135 Waiver information for providers who are Federally Certified Providers, Nursing Homes, Hospitals & Critical Access Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Independent Care Facilities, Home Care, Hospice, Dialysis Units, etc. Minnesota Department of Health receives requests and sends them to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Providers can send requests directly to CMS but must include the State to determine if a request is within state requirements to issue the waiver.

• CMS Issued Blanket Relief Waiver
• 1135 Waiver Background Information
• 1135 Waiver Request Process

• LTC COVID-19 Skills Training Checklist
• LTC COVID-19 Skills Training PowerPoint
• Long-term care facilities should assume COVID-19 is within their community and take action to protect vulnerable residents and staff. Learn infection prevention and control practices with the Nursing Home Infection Preventionist Training Course.
• Check out Training for Healthcare Professionals to find CDC courses on COVID-19 topics. Learn clinical care, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency preparedness, and more. The page will be updated as new training is available.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training Resources:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Infection: Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
  • CDC COVID-19 Prevention Messages for Front Line Long-Term Care Staff: PPE Lessons: PPE Lessons
  • Demonstration of Donning (Putting On) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • Demonstration of Doffing (Taking Off) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Respiratory Protection Program (RPP) Guidance

What are the requirements?
Whenever respirators are required, employers must implement a written, worksite-specific respiratory protection program (RPP), including medical evaluation, fit testing, training, and other elements, as specified in OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134). OSHA requirements for other PPE (e.g., eye protection, protective clothing) can be found in OSHA’s General PPE standard (29 CFR 1910.132) and OSHA Eye and Face Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.133).

Helpful Links

Minnesota Department of Health Respiratory Protection Program

OSHA Resources:

• 1910.134 Respiratory Protection
• Appendix A FIT Testing Procedures
• Appendix B1 User Seal Check
• Temporary Enforcement Guidance

Qualitative Respirator Fit Test and Training Resources:

• Qualitative FIT Test Kit Example
• 3M Qualitative FIT Test Video
• 3M Centers of Expertise: Worker Health & Safety website

How You Can Help:

• Volunteer your skills as a health care worker, please register at Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps