COVID-19 News

Attn: All Wisconsin Acute Care Hospitals Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 21-01 / CMS 1135 Waiver Provisions – Acute Hospital Care at Home Program: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/21-01.pdf The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance to Wisconsin hospitals regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) waivers issued of Medicare regulations [...]

Immunization Program Happy 2021! Moving forward, we will only host one webinar per week on Fridays for both stakeholders and vaccinators. We are discontinuing the Tuesday morning webinars. The next COVID-19 Vaccine webinar is scheduled for January 8, 2021 and will be held at 10 a.m.  Please register in advance of the webinar. This is […]

Attn: Federally Certified Non-Long Term Care Providers For purposes of this memo and survey tool: “Facility” means inpatient, congregate settings, such as ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, inpatient hospices, intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities, dialysis facilities, and clinics. “Home” refers to settings such as hospice and home health where care [...]

Friday, December 4, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday at 7:00 a.m. for a webinar on the current COVID-19 situation. This week’s webinar will include brief presentations on several topics, plus time for questions from participants. Topics will include: Updates on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics Recent updates to CDC guidance on quarantine Cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in [...]

Two upcoming webinars about COVID-19 Vaccine Both webinars will be recorded and available on our website. Weekly COVID-19 Updates and Q&A session The next weekly webinar for COVID-19 vaccinators is on Tuesday December 1, 2020 from 9:00-9:30 a.m. Technical experts will answer questions as best they are able; vaccinators should submit questions to dhscovidvaccinator@wi.gov. There […]

Friday, November 20, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday at 7:00 a.m. for a webinar on the current COVID-19 situation. This week’s webinar will include brief presentations on several topics, plus time for questions from participants. Topics will include: Findings from a CDC study on two university campuses in Wisconsin that evaluated the accuracy of rapid antigen tests for asymptomatic [...]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers The Division of Quality Assurance has updated the Return to Work Guidance for Asymptomatic Health Care Workers Who Tested Positive for COVID-19 to provide resident care before completing the recommended isolation. This guidance was updated to provide additional information regarding the steps to take prior to implementing this practice. Facilities are […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Friday, October 23, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, October 23 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Jonathan Temte, Associate Dean for Public Health and Community Engagement, Department […]

Attention Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities: Responses Needed By October 30, 2020. CDC is partnering with CVS and Walgreens to provide on-site COVID-19 vaccination to residents of Wisconsin nursing homes (LTC) and assisted living facilities (ALF) once vaccination is recommended for them. Facilities can partner with CVS, Walgreens, or their existing LTC pharmacy. DHS […]

“Resources to Support Skilled Nursing Facilities in Determining Admission Policies during a COVID-19 Outbreak” has been posted on the Division of Public Health (DPH) Communicable Diseases Memos page. This document serves as a decision support tool for Skilled Nursing Facilities, and is a companion document to BCD 2020-27, “Prevention and Control of Acute Respiratory Illness [...]

Friday, October 16, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, October 16 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. William Ehlenbach, Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program Topic 5 : Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) In early April 2020, the DPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program began performing telephone-based, COVID-19-focused infection control assessment and response visits (ICARs) with long-term care facilities (LTCF) around the state. ICARs are [...]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers The Division of Quality Assurance is hosting the quarterly Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI)/Minimum Data Set (MDS) Educational Forum on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, from 1-2 p.m. The MDS Education Coordinator will address current MDS 3.0 topics relevant to nursing home providers. To Join: Join Zoom Meeting (click this link to go straight […]

Friday, October 2, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, October 2 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist, Bureau of […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers CMS Testing Requirements On August 26, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued memo QSO-20-38-NH which mandates federal testing requirements for nursing homes related to Interim Final Rule (IFC) CMS-3401-IFC. The Department of Health Services (DHS) is aware that for many nursing homes in the state the testing […]

COVID-19 Health Alert # 17: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, September 24, 2020 Summary A number of assays for rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection have received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. While antigen tests are less expensive and have a shorter turnaround time than most molecular tests (e.g., RT-PCR), they are […]

Updated: BCD Memo 2020-26 is now BCD Memo 2020-27 The Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Bureau of Communicable Diseases is sending an updated version of the BCD 2020-26 memo which is now BCD 2020-27 memo titled, “Prevention and Control of Acute Respiratory Illness Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Facilities“. Summary of Updates The […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Since mid-March 2020, visitor restrictions have been in place in Wisconsin nursing homes and nationwide. Visitor restrictions were put in place to help mitigate and prevent the spread of COVID-19. DHS recognizes the importance of social distancing to help keep residents safe. DHS also acknowledges the unintended consequences of prolonged physical separation and isolation on […]

Join us this Friday, September 18 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist, Bureau of Communicable Diseases, Division of Public […]

Attn: Home Health Providers The Division of Quality Assurance is hosting the quarterly Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) Educational Forum on Wednesday, October 7, 2020, from 1-2 p.m. The OASIS Education Coordinator will address current OASIS topics relevant to home health providers. Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, or Android device Join Zoom […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

CARES Act Provider Payments Wisconsin’s CAPP Program allows specific health care provider types to apply for funds to offset COVID-19-specific losses and expenses they have incurred during the pandemic. The funds for these payments were provided to the state under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. In order to assist eligible […]

COVID-19 Health Alert # 16: Quarantine of Wisconsin residents exposed to COVID-19 is an essential prevention strategy Bureau of Communicable Diseases, September 9, 2020 Summary DHS recommends a 14-day quarantine for all Wisconsin residents who were in close contact with a person with COVID-19. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of an […]

Friday, September 11, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, September 11 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Alana Sterkel, SEOC SME-Lab Testing; Assistant Director, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin […]

Today Governor Tony Evers and DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm announced You Stop the Spread – our new campaign to encourage all Wisconsinites to do our part to protect what’s important to us and to help protect everyone in Wisconsin. Please check out You Stop the Spread. And then share the information with your organization, family, […]

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program Topic 3: Environmental Cleaning In early April 2020, the DPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program began performing telephone-based, COVID-19-focused infection control assessment and response visits (ICARs) with long-term care facilities (LTCF) around the state. ICARs are educational discussions that cover a range [...]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Attn: All Wisconsin Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities The Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) has published updated Guidance for Providing On-Site Hair Salon and Barber Services in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities. Based on comments received from nursing homes and assisted living facilities, DQA has updated this guidance to allow a cosmetologist, who […]

COVID-19 Webinar for Health Care Providers Reminder: No COVID-19 provider webinar this Friday, September 4, due to the Labor Day holiday. Join us for the next provider webinar on Friday, September 11 at 7:00a.m. Webinar recordings Access recordings of previous COVID-19 provider webinars here

We are preparing for the potential of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine response in the state of Wisconsin. While there are still many unknowns about the timeline of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine response, we encourage you to join us in preparing for it. Organizations will be required to report, in a timely […]

COVID-19 Webinar for Health Care Providers Reminder: No COVID-19 provider webinar this Friday, September 4, due to the Labor Day holiday. Join us for the next provider webinar on Friday, September 11 at 7:00a.m. Webinar recordings Access recordings of previous COVID-19 provider webinars here

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

COVID-19 Health Alert # 15: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, August 27, 2020 Summary Aggressive case finding through testing all individuals with high risk exposures to COVID-19 remains a key strategy for containing further spread of infection. On August 25, the CDC revised its website to indicate that asymptomatic people who have been in close contact […]

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program Early Infection Control Assessment and Response Visits: Lessons Learned In early April 2020, the DPH Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Prevention Program began performing telephone-based, COVID-19-focused infection control assessment and response visits (ICARs) with long-term care facilities (LTCF) around the state. ICARs are [...]

Join us this Friday, August 28 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Jonathan Meiman, Chief Medical Officer and State Occupational and Environmental Disease Epidemiologist, Bureau of Environmental and […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

WisCon and the State Lab of Hygiene in conjunction with the Department of Health Services and the State Emergency Operations Center will be hosting three webinars to orient stakeholders to OSHA respiratory protection requirements, fit testing, medical assessment, and respirator re-use as related to N95 respirators. This opportunity may be directly relevant for your agency […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Friday, August 14, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, August 14 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist, Bureau of Communicable […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Attn: All Wisconsin Nursing Homes and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is pleased to announce that Accelerated Labs in Milwaukee and Molecular Lab in Washington State will support COVID-19 testing in nursing homes and ICFs/IID. DHS continues to work to bring on additional labs to […]

COVID-19 Health Alert # 14: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, August 6, 2020 Summary Clinicians and public health officials should be aware of the availability of new platforms for COVID-19 testing, the appropriate use and potential limitations of each. At this time, three main categories of tests are available for use, molecular (PCR), antigen, and serologic […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Friday, August 7, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, August 7 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Allen Bateman, Assistant Director, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of […]

CDC has issued revised Guidance for Planning Vaccination Clinics Held at Satellite, Temporary, or Off-Site Locations. The purpose of the guidance is to assist with planning and implementation of satellite, temporary, or off-site vaccination clinics by public and private vaccination organizations. The guidance is broken down into four categories: Planning activities Pre-clinic activities [...]

Governor issues new executive order Today Governor Evers announced a new executive order mandating face coverings indoors or in enclosed spaces, other than when at home. We know that face coverings are an effective tool in fighting COVID-19, and we encourage you to do your part in protecting the health and safety of your fellow […]

Friday, July 31, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, July 31 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Pierre Kory, Medical Intensivist, Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin […]

During this COCA Call, presenters will discuss telehealth benefits and challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will share their experiences implementing telehealth across diverse healthcare settings and address considerations for its future use. If you are unable to attend the live COCA call, the recording will be available for viewing on the COCA […]

Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. Please join us on […]

COVID-19 Webinar for Health Care Providers Friday, July 24, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, July 24 at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Ian Pray, Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, […]

Attn: Wisconsin Nursing Home Providers The safest approach to prevent COVID-19 exposure to nursing home residents and staff is to not conduct indoor or outdoor visitation. However, if an organization wishes to proceed with outdoor visitation, please see the recommendations for safer outdoor visits. Nursing homes may choose to wait longer before implementing outdoor visitation […]

Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. Please join us on […]

Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. Please join us on […]

Attn: Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities In accordance with CDC guidance, long-term care facilities have closed onsite hair salons and barber services in their facilities to reduce the risk of spreading of COVID-19. Minimizing resident contact with outside individuals remains the best approach to prevent introduction of COVID-19 into long-term care settings. The Guidance […]

Bureau of Communicable Diseases, July 1, 2020 Summary The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has revised recommendations for who should get tested for COVID-19. Testing is recommended for the following groups: Individuals experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, which are listed below Individuals who have been in close contact with a person with COVID-19, regardless […]

The Facility Guidelines Institute (FGI) invites users of the FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction to comment on revisions and additions featured in its draft 2022 documents. Input from Guidelines users is a crucial step in revising the Guidelines documents, which provide minimum standards for design and construction of hospitals, outpatient facilities, and residential health, […]

ASHE COVID-19 Surge Experience Survey Project We need your help! ASHE wants to learn about the experiences each of you have had during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to compare strategies, share lessons learned and plan for the future. The COVID Response Tactics Sharing (CRTS) project collects this information nationally through a short survey, and […]

Today, the Department of Health Services published a news release urging residents to stay home ahead of the Fourth of July Weekend and to follow best public health practices. Nearly 20% of total COVID-19 cases in Wisconsin have tested positive within the past two weeks. Currently, 23% of Wisconsin’s total cases are people in their […]

Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 124, Hospitals was published with an effective date of July 1, 2020. The new rule affects all hospitals licensed by the State of Wisconsin. The updated rule includes provisions related to: Waivers and variances Statements of deficiency and plans of correction Patient rights and responsibilities in critical access hospitals Maternity […]

CARES Act Provider Payments This bulletin is being sent to these lists: Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS): County Waiver Agency Leads, Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Program Providers, Automatic Health Professional Shortage Areas, Volunteer Health Care Program, Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications and Updates, and key DPH staff. Based on feedback from the provider [...]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 10:30 a.m-12:00 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is accepting applications from specific types of health care providers (listed below) for $110 million of funding provided to the state under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds will be used to make payments to offset facilities and services’ lost revenues and […]

This message is being sent to all potential N95 respirator users supporting healthcare or emergency response. ADDITIONAL WEBINAR SCHEDULED The State Emergency Operations Center and Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System™ will be hosting an additional webinar on July 1st to orient potential users to the state’s N95 decontamination process. N95 decontamination can help address [...]

Reminders ATTN: All federally certified nursing homes Wisconsin’s Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) process remains in place. Federal law requires that all people requesting admission to a Medicaid certified nursing facility must be screened to determine the presence of a mental illness and/or an intellectual disability. A PASRR Level I screen must be completed […]

Today, the Department of Health Services is launching a new data dashboard providing information on COVID-19 activity level by county and region in Wisconsin. The intent of the dashboard is to provide Wisconsinites with the tools they need to most effectively respond to COVID-19. The data dashboard consists of maps and tables that toggle between […]

Voting during the 2020 NFPA Annual Technical Meeting (Tech Session) will be open from June 22-26. “Fortunately, there are not many issues up for a vote that would negatively affect health care facilities,” says ASHE Executive Director Deanna Martin. “This is great news for our field, but it doesn’t mean that we should skip voting […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 11:00 a.m-12:30 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

We posted guidance for when health care workers may return to work if they tested positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic. You can find the information on our long-term care page, scroll about halfway down, and click on the corresponding tab to expand. Please share this information widely.

Health care providers who participate in Wisconsin’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) should quickly review and apply, as appropriate, for the new $15 billion in funding made available today (June 10) by the federal government to help providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples of providers serving Medicaid/CHIP beneficiaries possibly eligible for this […]

This bulletin is being sent to these lists: Health Alert Network, Local Health Officers, Tribal Health Directors, Public Health Nurses, Local Public Health Department Staff, Enterics, Infection Preventionists and DQA Notifications. Friday, June 12, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, June 12, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers The webinars will run from 11 a.m-12 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. Please join us on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Submit any questions you would like addressed on the webinar by emailing them to DHSDQACOVID19@dhs.wisconsin.gov by 12 p.m. on Wednesday June 10, 2020. To Join: Join Zoom Meeting (click this link […]

Attn: Hospices, Home Health Agencies, and Nursing Homes DQA Memos 20-003 for Hospices, 20-004 for Nursing Homes, and 20-007 for Home Health Agencies have been revised. Effective May 11, 2020, the state public health emergency ended and Emergency Order #21 is no longer in effect. As a result the rule suspensions and companion orders contained […]

Attn: Adult Day Services, Adult Day Care Centers Guidance on Adult Day Services and Programs Guidance on adult day services, care centers, programs, and adult pre-vocational programs has been posted to the DHS COVID-19 Long-Term Care Facilities page. These programs are at increased risk for COVID-19 transmission because there is increased risk when multiple people […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) has announced that federally certified nursing homes are eligible to receive up to $3,000 in Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds to purchase electronic devices to enable residents to visit with family and friends in a virtual setting and participate in telehealth visits. This […]

Starting June 5, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) will be accepting applications from specific types of health care providers (listed below) for $110 million of funding provided to the state under the federal Coronavirus aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds will be used to make payments to offset lost revenues […]

Attn: All Wisconsin Nursing Homes and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Testing continues to be a key strategy for identifying individuals who have COVID-19 and in limiting the spread to others. Approximately 93% of nursing home and ICF/IID providers are testing or have tested their residents and staff as of today. Specimen […]

Friday, June 5, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, June 5, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist, Division of […]

This call will provide an overview of the updated guidance for dental settings, including recommendations for resuming non-emergency dental care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will discuss strategies for dental healthcare facilities to optimize personal protective equipment (PPE). If you are unable to attend the live COCA call, the recording will be available for viewing […]

Attn: All Wisconsin Nursing Homes and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Testing is a key strategy for identifying individuals who have COVID-19 and in limiting the spread to others, which is particularly important for the individuals who live in these settings. To date, approximately 91% of nursing home and ICF/IID providers are […]

Join us this Friday, May 29, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Dr. Ryan Westergaard, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health […]

COVID-19 Health Alert # 12: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, May 22, 2020 Summary CDC is interested in investigating possible cases of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, defined as new clinical or laboratory evidence of COVID-19 after a documented period of recovery. Clinicians who are aware of cases meeting criteria for possible re-infection are invited to submit de-identified patient […]

Update regarding the Wisconsin Nursing Home and ICFs/IID Testing Opportunity In follow up to Governor Ever’s guidance to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to facilitate a plan to test every nursing home and ICFs/IID resident and staff member in Wisconsin for COVID-19, providers across the state are actively participating in this initiative. To date, […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 11 a.m-12 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

DHS Health Alert Network COVID-19 Health Alert # 11: Wisconsin COVID-19 State Emergency Operations Center, May 21, 2020 Summary Remdesivir, an investigational drug being studied for treatment of severe COVID-19, is available for use in the United States after receiving Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the FDA. A limited supply of remdesivir has been distributed […]

Checklist Document Pages 1 through 8   Protocol Document Pages 1 & 2

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 11 a.m-12 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Friday, May 22, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, May 22, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Elizabeth Ann Misch, MD,  Assistant Professor, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of […]

Bureau of Communicable Diseases, May 19, 2020 Summary The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) now prioritizes prompt reporting of suspected cases of Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), a newly described illness that is potentially associated with COVID-19. Cases are characterized by persistent fever and features of Kawasaki disease and/or toxic shock syndrome, [...]

Nurse Aide Training and Testing Attn: Nurse Aide Training Programs As of May 11, 2020, the public health emergency ended and Emergency Order #21 is no longer in effect; therefore, the Department has established a waiver request process to allow entities and facilities to continue to hire and train caregivers through the Emergency Nurse Aide […]

Attn: Nursing Home and Assisted Living Providers People who live in our nursing homes, assisted living communities and the staff and caregivers are at a high risk of contracting COVID-19.  Their safety and wellbeing continues to be a top priority for DHS. When a resident or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, the potential for […]

COVID-19 Health Alert # 9: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, May 18, 2020 Summary The next phase in Wisconsin’s COVID-19 pandemic response will require a massive scale up of testing (a health care activity) and contact tracing (a local public health activity). For these intensified activities to succeed, a new and stronger commitment to collecting and […]

Resources to share with your clients The people of Wisconsin are making important changes to take care of themselves, their loved ones, and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s not easy. But Resilient Wisconsin has tools and resources that can help people manage some of the stress and strengthen their ability to bounce back […]

Wisconsin’s new Battelle Memorial Institute Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS) is now ready and available for use by the state’s health care workers and first responders for decontamination of their N95 respirators. The Battelle CCDS™ decontaminates N95 respirators by killing viruses and bacteria using hydrogen peroxide gas. The Battelle system will be able to decontaminate […]

Attn: Wisconsin Hospitals The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to release 1135 Blanket Waivers for the healthcare community that provide the flexibilities needed to take care of patients during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). CMS recently provided additional blanket waivers for the duration of the PHE that expand the ability for […]

Join us this Friday, May 15, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Mary Beth Graham, MD, FIDSA, FACP Professor of Medicine and Associate Chief, Division of Infectious Disease Medical […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 testing for all Wisconsin’s nursing homes residents and staff. The webinars will run from 11 a.m-12 p.m. […]

Attn: All Wisconsin Nursing Homes In appreciation and support of the challenging work you do every day to protect some of our most vulnerable individuals, Wisconsin is moving forward with a plan to test every nursing home resident and staff member in the state for COVID-19 by the end of May. This testing is necessary […]

Please visit the link below to view DQA Quarterly Information Update – April https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/newsletters/dqa-update-2020-04.pdf. Prior DQA Quarterly Information Updates are posted at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/quarterly-updates.htm

Wisconsin NHSN Users-LTC Wednesday, May 13, 1:00–2:00 p.m. Please join DHS Healthcare-Associated Infections Prevention Program (HAI Program) staff for a live walk-through of the new National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) COVID-19 module for LTCFs. This is part of the HAI Program’s ongoing efforts to provide NHSN user support, and not an officially-sanctioned NHSN training.  We are [...]

Bureau of Communicable Diseases, May 8, 2020 Summary Wisconsin DHS and CDC now prioritize COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic people in a wider range of scenarios to support the public health response. This change reflects both growing testing capacity and the wider recognition of the importance of asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission. DHS and CDC have revised […]

Wisconsin’s new Battelle Memorial Institute Critical Care Decontamination System™ (CCDS) is now ready and available for use by the state’s health care workers and first responders for decontamination of their N95 respirators. The Battelle CCDS™ decontaminates N95 respirators by killing viruses and bacteria using hydrogen peroxide gas. The Battelle system will be able to decontaminate […]

MADISON —​Gov. Tony Evers announced today that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has launched a new online resource that makes it easier for the public to access testing sites throughout the state. This searchable map, available here, provides Wisconsinites with testing site locations, contact information, hours of operation, and guidance on how to schedule […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: All Wisconsin Providers Performing COVID-19 Laboratory Testing The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued this memorandum to provide important guidance for providers who want to perform COVID-19 testing and the CLIA certification requirements. This guidance is a part of the CMS effort to clarify: […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 11 a.m-12 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-008 / State Licensure Application for Temporary Nursing Facility Expansion Units and Transfer Options during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency:https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-008.pdf The purpose of this memorandum is to establish the process for Nursing Facilities and Skilled Nursing Facilities [...]

COVID-19: Health Alert #7 Recommendations and Reporting Requirements Bureau of Communicable Diseases, May 1, 2020  Summary: A growing number of serologic tests for detection of IgG and/or IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 have received FDA approval under an Emergency Use Authorization and are now commercially available. The sensitivity and specificity of these tests are variable, and […]

“Health care provider wellness in the era of COVID-19” Friday, May 1, 7:00-8:00 a.m. Join us this Friday, May 1, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Presenters Traci DeSalvo, Communicable […]

Nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based care settings invited to participate A public-private partnership has been formed to assist nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other community-based care settings in assessing infection prevention practices and to guide quality improvement efforts. The partners in this effort include the Department of Health [...]

Wisconsin’s response to COVID-19 has strained supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) across the state, leading to some shortages of critical supplies including N95 respirator masks. In addition to sourcing additional N95 masks, the State of Wisconsin is exploring processes to decontaminate masks so they can be reused. In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management […]

Attn: Adult Family Home Providers Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-006 / Use of Remote Support Providers in Regulated Adult Family Homes: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-006.pdf. The purpose of this memo is to provide guidance on how Adult Family Homes can apply for a temporary variance of Wis. Admin. Code § DHS 88.07(1)(e): Resident […]

Attn: Home Health Agencies Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-007 / Wisconsin Home Health Agencies CMS 1135 Waiver Provisions and Governor Evers Emergency Order # 21: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-007.pdf The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clarification and guidance to Wisconsin home health agencies regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid [...]

This bulletin is being sent to DQA Notifications and Updates, Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalition coordinators, County and Tribal Emergency Managers, Local Public Health Officers, Tribal Health Directors, and Human Services Directors.  To better understand and meet the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) [...]

Attn: All Long-Term Care Hospitals, Rural Health Clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities On April 21, 2020, CMS issued additional blanket waivers to the healthcare community in order to provide the flexibilities needed to take care of patients during this public health emergency. CMS is providing additional [...]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: All Regulated Health Care Providers This notice is a reminder to providers regulated by the Department of Health Services (DHS), Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) that caregiver background check requirements and misconduct reporting requirements remain in effect during the COVID-19 emergency. Caregiver Background Checks [...]

Division of Quality Assurance: Plan Review and Inspections Attn: DQA Office of Plan Review and Inspection Customers This message is a reminder for DHS Division of Quality Assurance, Office of Plan Review and Inspection (OPRI) customers that in accordance with Governor Evers Emergency Order 22, all documents must be submitted electronically at this time. The […]

DHS Health Alert Network COVID-19: Health Alert #6 Providers encouraged to visit covid19supplies.wi.gov/Testing On Monday, April 20, the State of Wisconsin launched a new website for health care providers to request COVID-19 testing supplies. The website URL is covid19supplies.wi.gov/Testing. The State of Wisconsin is making supplies available to facilitate laboratory COVID-19 testing at no [...]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 11 […]

New COVID-19 guidance from the Department of Health Services has been developed for home care providers. This guidance applies to home care providers and staff, including home health agencies, in-home hospice providers, personal care agencies, and supportive home care agencies. Its purpose is to provide the best information currently available to help home care providers […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: Nursing Home Providers Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-004 / Wisconsin Nursing Homes CMS 1135 Waiver Provisions and Governor Evers Executive Order # 21: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-004.pdf. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clarification and guidance to Wisconsin nursing homes [...]

COVID-19: Health Alert #5 Bureau of Communicable Diseases, April 16, 2020  Health care providers are encouraged to obtain COVID-19 testing for all who are symptomatic, even patients with mild symptoms. This serves an important public health purpose in the next phase of Wisconsin’s COVID-19 response, which will require aggressive efforts for finding and isolating cases […]

ASHE’s COVID-19 page is regularly being updated with new resources at ASHE COVID- 19 Resources. Please check out the site for additional resources to share with your members. If you have a resource that you find useful or questions that you have or a resource that you could use please let Jonathan Flannery or myself […]

Full Webinar: Fuel Load Survey Methodology in Buildings Amanda Kimball in Xchange Exclusives 1 week ago As the use of performance-based methodologies evolve, it is becoming critically important to identify, characterize, and quantify design fires for buildings. NFPA 557, Standard for Determination of Fire Loads for Use in Structural Fire Protection Design, was developed to […]

An important tool for preventing the spread of COVID-19 is the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by workers who come into close contact with individuals who are infected. Unfortunately, PPE is in critical short supply throughout the nation. One strategy to conserve PPE is decontamination and reuse. Please take a few minutes to fill out […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: Nursing Home and Assisted Living Providers The State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care (BOALTC) has retracted the Memo dated April 13, 2020. Please see the revised memo COVID-19, Visitation and Long-Term Care Communities dated April 14, 2020. The version of the BOALTC Memo […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Plan Review and Inspections Attn: DQA Office of Plan Review and Inspection Customers In accordance with Governor Evers Emergency Order 22, the DHS Division of Quality Assurance, Office of Plan Review and Inspection (OPRI) will require all documents to be submitted electronically, effective April 14, 2020. Although OPRI’s Milwaukee office remains […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: Nursing Home and Assisted Living Providers On April 13, 2020, the Board on Aging and Long-Term Care (BOALTC) updated the memo previously issued on March 20, 2020, on COVID-19, Visitation and Long-Term Care Communities which provides important guidance for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. People who […]

Dear DSPS Customer, Like all other state agencies and business, the Department of Safety and Professional Services is adapting to the evolving circumstances of the COVID-19 public health emergency. We are working hard to adjust our operations so that we can maintain services and continue the process-improvement initiatives we launched before this crisis hit. As […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: All Wisconsin Hospices Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-003 / Wisconsin Hospices CMS 1135 Waiver Provisions and Governor Evers Emergency Order # 21: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-003.pdf The purpose of this memorandum is to provide clarification and guidance to Wisconsin hospices regarding the [...]

In order to support long term care providers who are caring for COVID-19 positive individuals, the State Emergency Operations Center has developed a process for requesting reserve resources from the strategic national stockpile. The following providers are eligible to request PPE from the process: Any entity licensed by DQA as a residential facility. All licensed […]

Join us this Friday, April 10, at 7 a.m. for a webinar for health care providers on the current COVID-19 situation. Click here to join the webinar. Or dial:  312 626 6799 or  646 558 8656 Webinar ID: 233 994 680 Webinar presenters This week’s webinar will include a discussion of COVID-19 testing and laboratory issues, including current […]

Source:  David R. Soens The Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance recently issued DQA memorandum 20-001 which establishes a streamlined process for hospitals to expand their acute care inpatient services during the COVID-19 public health emergency.  The process is consistent with Wisconsin state statutes and recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) 1135 Waivers.  DQA […]

Governor Tony Evers declared a public health emergency today in response to new cases of COVID-19. Governor Evers signed Executive Order #72 directing the Department of Health Services to take all necessary and appropriate measures to prevent and respond to incidents of the virus. The complete press release is below. MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers […]

DHS Health Alert Network COVID-19 Health Alert # 1: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, March 17, 2020 Wisconsin medical providers, public health officials and preparedness personnel are encouraged to subscribe to the HAN for rapidly changing guidance and alerts related to COVID-19 Return to Work Criteria for Health Care Personnel with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 Return […]

DHS Health Alert Network COVID-19 Health Alert # 2: Bureau of Communicable Diseases, March 20, 2020 DHS recommends that all health care providers, including inpatient, outpatient, and residential care facilities, actively monitor staff for symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Employers should ensure that staff involved in patient care are systematically evaluated for symptoms of respiratory [...]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: Nursing Home and Assisted Living Providers On March 20, 2020, the Board on Aging and Long-Term Care (BOALTC) issued a memo on COVID-19, Visitation and Long-Term Care Communities which provides important guidance for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. In order to try to stop or slow […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: Medicare Fee-For-Service Providers The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued blanket waivers of some Federal requirements under Section 1135(b) of the Social Security Act, applicable throughout the nation. In regards to the specific concerns of your facility, if it appears on the blanket waivers […]

Attn: Critical Access Hospital Administrators Thank you for the long hours and hard work that you have put in to make sure that the communities that you serve will have the health care they need as we face the threat of this pandemic. Because additional capacity may be needed throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, the Division […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: All Wisconsin Providers Performing Laboratory Testing CMS has issued this memorandum to provide important guidance for CLIA laboratories regarding the review of pathology slides, proficiency testing, alternate collection devices, and requirements for a CLIA certificate during the COVID-19 public health emergency. All guidance in [...]

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has launched two new tools to help connect essential workforce families to local, safe child care. Healthcare workers and essential employees are now able to submit a request for care through the department’s updated Child Care Finder or proactively view up-to-date availability across the state using the department’s […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Plan Review and Inspections Attn: DQA Office of Plan Review and Inspection Customers At this time, the Division of Quality Assurance, Office of Plan Review and Inspection (OPRI) continues to serve customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. We have closed the regional offices and we encourage you to use the available online […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Plan Review and Inspections Attn: DQA Office of Plan Review and Inspection Customers At this time, the Division of Quality Assurance, Office of Plan Review and Inspection (OPRI) continues to serve customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. We have closed the regional offices and we encourage you to use the available online […]

Today, Governor Evers and DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm announced the Resilient Wisconsin initiative. With the stressors and health challenges inherent in the COVID-19 pandemic, the time is now to provide Wisconsinites with tools to build resiliency for those affected by trauma, toxic stress, and other mental and behavioral health challenges. Finding healthy ways to cope […]

Facility Self-Assessments Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should prepare now to care for residents with COVID-19. A facility self-assessment tool is available to evaluate current readiness and guide development of a COVID-19 plan that addresses communications, supplies, resident management, visitors, occupational health, training, and surge capacity. Facilities, especially [...]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Attn: All Wisconsin Hospitals Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-001 / State Licensure Application for Temporary Expansion Locations during Public Health Emergency related to COVID-19: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-001.pdf The purpose of this memorandum is to establish the process for hospitals and [...]

The Department of Children and Families is connecting essential workforce families with available child care. To request child care, essential workforce families should fill out this form. Additionally, families can search for available care at a publicly available map. Please submit your request as soon as possible to help child care centers determine whether to […]

COVID-19 remains a Category I Reportable Condition in Wisconsin, which means health care providers and/or laboratories must report confirmed or suspected cases to the Department of Health Services (DHS) within 24 hours of detection. This memo from State Health Officer Jeanne Ayers and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ryan Westergaard outlines new reporting requirements and allows […]

Attn: Nursing Home Providers Nursing Home providers and stakeholders are invited to attend a weekly webinar hosted by the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA). During this time, the DQA will provide updates and answer questions related to COVID-19 and long-term care facilities. The webinars will run from 11 a.m-12 p.m. every Thursday until further notice. […]

Bureau of Communicable Diseases, April 7, 2020 The Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a new memo making COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths reportable. The memo reiterates that as a Category I Reportable Condition, all cases of COVID-19 are reportable to DHS. This includes patients diagnosed based on clinical grounds who are not tested […]

Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates Please visit the following link to view DQA Memo 20-002 / CMS 1135 Waiver Provisions – Wisconsin Hospitals: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dqa/memos/20-002.pdf. The purpose of this memorandum is to the provide clarification and guidance to Wisconsin hospitals (including critical access hospitals, as well as temporary expansion sites, [...]

Action Requested: Strategic National Stockpile Order Process This email was sent to long-term care facilities, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).   The State Emergency Operations Center has notified Wisconsin Department of Health Services that the final allocation of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is [...]