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COVID-19

PCM Policies, Protocols & Testing Materials

 

Testing Forms, Guidelines, and Related Information

  • *NEW BinaxNOWTM COVID-19 Ag Card Product Expiry Update (Released May 2021)
    • ​​​​​​​Manufacturer testing has been completed to support a shelf-life (expiration date) of up to 12 months!  ​​​​​​​Please review the above letter from Abbott with further information regarding the extended expiration date for this product, including the lot numbers affected and the updated expirations. 
  • Instructional Video: How to Obtain a Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimen Instructional Video from the New England Journal of Medicine
  • *IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BIOREFERENCE* (See here)
    • ​​​​​​​Specimen samples submitted for testing must be at least 3 mL of universal or viral transport media (UTM/VTM), Roche cobas® PCR Media, liquid aimes media, or saline.
    • Volumes lower than 3 mL increase the risk of Invalid results or Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS).
    • For vials that contain less than 3 mL of media (e.g. e-Swabs), you will need to add normal saline to bring the media volume to 3 mL in the vial before sending in for testing.
    • Submitting samples with a volume of less than 3 mLs is causing a major issue in the lab, and resulting in a significant backlog in testing. PLEASE be mindful of this volume requirement.
  • Lab Requisition for Staff Testing Form (*updated 4/2/2020) ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​*copy of completed form must be faxed to Jen Mroz, PA-C at (717) 651-1853.
  • COVID-19 Specimen Collection Guidelines – Guidance from BioReference for “Authorized Alternate Collection Options Due to Critical Shortages of Transport Media and Swabs”
  • Informational Booklet from BioReference
  • COVID-19 FAQ from BioReference
  • Consent Forms:

*completed consent forms must be scanned and emailed to COVID email group (covid@primecaremedical.com)

Resuming Non-Emergent Dental Services

  • COVID-19 Pandemic – Patient Disclosures Form (May 13, 2020)
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As dental services begin “returning to normal” in each state, PCM is requiring that this disclosure form be provided and completed by every patient at the time of every encounter.  Please contact Dr. Nate Kalteski with any questions.

 

Patient Education

 

Posters, Fact Sheets, & Materials from the CDC and Department of Health

*Important Announcements*

Vaccine Information

Moderna Vaccine

Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine

Janssen Vaccine

 

Maryland facilities – Vaccine Administration Forms, Logs & Required Documentation  (Last Updated 03/03/2021)

 

New York facilities – Vaccine Administration Forms, Logs & Required Documentation  (Last Updated 03/03/2021)

 

New Hampshire facilities – Vaccine Administration Forms, Logs & Required Documentation  (Last Updated 03/03/2021)

 

Pennsylvania facilities – Vaccine Administration Forms, Logs & Required Documentation  (Last Updated 01/06/2020)

 

West Virginia facilities – Vaccine Administration Forms, Logs & Required Documentation  (Last Updated 12/21/2020)

Monoclonal Antibody Therapy 

**FDA Revoked Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Monoclonal Antibody Bamlanivimab.  See Press Release April 16, 2021

*Latest State Restrictions and Mandates*

  • Maryland
    • For the latest information on all Orders and Guidance in the State of Maryland visit here.
  • New Hampshire
    • Information regarding COVID-19 in New Hampshire, including up-to-date information on travel guidance and quarantine restrictions visit www.nh.gov/covid19.
  • New York
    • For up-to-date information on COVID-19 mitigation efforts and mandates within the State of New York, visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov​​​​​​​
  • ​​​​​​​Pennsylvania

Notes from Our Weekly Wednesday Morning Conference Calls w/ Our Clients

Human Resources

 

New York Specific Materials

 

Changes to Professional Licensure Requirements

​​​​​​​Maryland

  • State of Maryland will allow medical students, nursing students, and those studying to be medical technicians to aid in relief efforts. For more information, check out this bulletin and Maryland’s official website. (March 25, 2020).

 

New Hampshire

  • Temporary Authorization of Out-of-State Medical Providers to provide in-person and telehealth. For more information see here or a full, official copy of the State’s Emergency Order # 15, available here. (March 23, 2020).
  • For all of the latest updates and information from the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure an Certification, visit their website.​​​​​​​

 

New York

  • For up-to-date changes and important information for professional licensees, visit New York’s Office of Professions’ website.

 

Pennsylvania

  • Renewal deadlines extended for nurses and other licensed professionals. Click here for more info!
  • Temporary Changes and Waivers for professionals licensed by PA Board of Nursing. (last updated March 30, 2020).
  • State Waived Certain Licensing Requirements to Allow Retired Health Care Professionals to Practice During Coronavirus Emergency. See March 25, 2020 Announcement from PA Department of State.
  • Medical Doctors’ Two-Facility Institutional License Limit Suspended on March 20, 2020. See Announcement.
  • Some Requirements Temporarily Waive for Those Seeking Licensure as Psychologists, Social Workers, Therapists and Counselors. See March 26, 2020 Announcement.
  • For all of the latest licensing waivers and extensions issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State, visit their COVID-19 specific website here.

 

West Virginia

  • WV temporarily suspends certain rules in order expedite RN licensure. Click here for more info. (March 27, 2020)
  • Out-of-state MDs and PAs, as well as Retired WV MDs and PAs can now register to practice in WV during the State of Emergency. For more information visit this website.
  • For all COVID-19 information released by the West Virginia RN Board, visit their website here.
  • Up-to-date announcements and information are also available on the official websites for: WV Board of Medicine and WV Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

Additional Information and Resources

Caring for Your Mental Health, Managing Stress, Emotional Support Hotlines

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:  Call 800-273-TALK for free and confidential support for people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. Available 24/7!
  • Tips and Information re: Stress and Coping are available on the CDC’s website by clicking here.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
  • Maryland has compiled a list of FAQs and Resources for how to cope with mental health, stress and anxiety, all of which are available here.
  • New Yorkers can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314
    • In partnership with the Kate Spade New York Foundation and Crisis Text Line, a 24/7 emotional support service is available for frontline health care workers. Workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 for support.
  • Pennsylvanians – Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “PA” to 741-741. Additional information and resources also available here.
  • West Virginia offers several avenues for its residents to obtain support and services:
    • HELP4WV – Call or text 844-HELP4WV (844-435-7498) 24/7 for immediate help for anyone struggling with an addiction or mental health issue.
    • WV 211  – Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 for information and support—whether financial, domestic, health or disaster-related.

 

Child Care – State Efforts to Alleviate Concerns r/t lack of child care

 

Utilities, Rent, Mortgage Protections

  • Maryland: Residential utility service providers prohibited from terminating services or assess late fees for late or non-payment for electric, gas, sewage, telegraph, telephone, water, cable, or internet services during State of Emergency. Executive Order issued March 16, 2020.
  • Maryland: temporary prohibition issued for eviction proceedings against tenants suffering substantial loss of income due to COVID-19. Executive Order issued March 16, 2020.
  • New Hampshire: Utility providers prohibited from disconnecting or discontinuing service for non-payment. Emergency Order 3
  • New Hampshire: Temporary prohibition on evictions and foreclosures for duration of the State of Emergency. Emergency Order 4
  • New York: New Your State mortgage servicers directed to provide 90-day mortgage relief to borrowers impacted by coronavirus. 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants also implemented. For more information see Know Your Rights website or this additional guidance​​​​​​​.
  • Pennsylvania: Utilities under the Public Utility Commission (electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication and steam) prohibited from being terminated. Click here for more information. PA residents struggling to pay utility bills are encouraged to contact their service providers for possible emergency assistance programs.
  • Pennsylvania: residents struggling to cover mortgage payment or rent directed to contact lender or landlord. More information available here.

 

Federal and State websites dedicated to providing COVID-19 updates and information

 

Miscellaneous