COVID-19 Information for Nursing Homes

Skilled nursing facilities are licensed by the PA Department of Health, and are often referred to as nursing homes. There are other types of long-term care facilities licensed by the PA Department of Human Services, such as personal care homes and assisted living facilities.

Vaccine Data and Strategy

• COVID-19 Vaccine Data and Strategy for Long-Term Care Facilities

PA HAN

• Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates
  

Staffing, Testing, PPE and Other Support for Facilities 

• PPE: For PPE requests, complete this online form: Healthcare Facility / Agency PPE Critical Needs Assessment Form.
• Staffing: For short-term crisis staffing support due to a COVID-19 outbreak, complete this online form to request staffing for a 3-5 day period: Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Task Force Staffing Support Request. If your facility is working with Penn State or UPenn RCAT, you must work directly with their RCAT for staffing support and NOT utilize this form.
• Testing: To request assistance with COVID-19 outbreak testing, complete this online form: Universal Testing Needs Assessment Form. Your request will be considered, and someone from the Long-Term Care Task Force will be in touch with you. For questions about testing, email ra-dhCOVIDtesting@pa.gov.
• Rapid antigen tests: If your facility has a CLIA waiver and a Pennsylvania lab permit and is in need of COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits, please complete this online form: Rapid Antigen Test Order Request Form. Fulfillment of orders is based on available supply. Please see the COVID-19 Laboratory Testing Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the requirements for performing testing at your facility.
• Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports, and Empowerment (LTC-RISE): With the ending of the Regional Response Health Collaborative (RRHC) on December 30, 2020, the Department transitioned from the RCATs to a new program, LTC RISE, effective January 1, 2022.  Learn more about LTC RISE.
• Vaccines: Facilities that are in need of assistance with vaccine access, please contact the PA Department of Health. If feasible, DOH will work to identify a local pharmacy partner and contact you via email.
• For general nursing home questions about COVID-19, email ra-dhSNFquestion@pa.gov.

Additional Testing Information

• To request assistance with outbreak testing, complete this online form: Universal Testing Needs Assessment Form. Your request will be considered, and someone from the Long-Term Care Task Force will be in touch with you.

If your facility does not have a laboratory engaged for COVID-19 testing, view a list of laboratories that conduct COVID-19 testing. This list is provided for informational purposes only, and the facility would be responsible for any cost.

PA DOH Resources

• COVID-19, Influenza, and Norovirus Infection Control Recommendations for LTCFs (11/1/22)
  
• COVID-19 Quick Reference Guide for Long-Term Care Facilities (10/25/22)
  
• Long-Term Care Facility Checklist for COVID Outbreak Management (10/24/22)
  
• COVID-19 Cases Associated with LTCFs or Personal Care Homes
• Long-Term Care Resiliency, Infrastructure Supports, and Empowerment (LTC RISE)
  
• COVID PA-NEDSS Reporting (PDF) (9/18/2020)
• NEDSS Data Entry FAQ(PDF) (9/18/2020)
• Point of Care Testing (7/30/2020)
• Labs approved to process COVID-19 samples (PDF)
  
• Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention/Antimicrobial Stewardship (HAIP/AS)
  

State Registrar Notices

• 2020-13, Additional Guidance for Medical Professionals - Reporting of Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 (PDF)
• 2020-10, Medical Certification of a Report of Death (PDF)
• 2020-05, Establishing an EDRS Account - Medical Professionals (PDF)
• 2020-01, COVID-19 for Medical Professionals (PDF)

Federal Resources

• Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
• Mom’s Vaccinated: When Can I Visit Her Nursing Home?