CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19: OVERVIEW

Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.  The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. Additional information is available from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website and can be reviewed by visiting www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf. ​The main symptoms of coronavirus resemble those of a bad cold or the flu, which can make detection difficult. These include:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
More severe cases can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. The incubation period is believed to be around 2 weeks. 

SAFETY OF OUR PARTNERS

At AMT, the health and safety of our partners is of primary concern. We are actively monitoring the evolving situation with the novel Coronavirus, and the disease it causes, COVID-19, very closely. On March 4th, 2020 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a memorandum with Guidance for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in nursing homes. You can review this document by visiting www.cms.gov/files/document/qso-20-14-nh-revised.pdf (updated on March 13th, 2020).

As an integral part of the wound care team in your facility, our Clinical Specialists will follow the recommendations as outlined by both CDC and CMS when visiting your facilities. Whereby, limiting visitation to your building if the AMT Clinical Specialist, or a family member in their household, meet any of the criteria listed by CMS for limiting transmission of COVID-19 for nursing homes (see below).

We would also like to point out that both the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) recently released a document with recommendations for taking reasonable efforts to prevent COVID-19 from entering your skilled nursing facility (March 9, 2020). Their recommendation is to allow “facility employees, contractors and consultants who are needed to keep the operations running and assure the residents’ needs are met,” entry to the building. 
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How should facilities monitor or limit visitors?
Facilities should screen visitors for the following:
  • International travel within the last 14 days to restricted countries. For updated information on restricted countries visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
  • Signs or symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a fever, cough, and sore throat
  • Has had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID-19

If you, or anyone in your facility have questions related to this topic please feel free to reach out to your AMT representative. We will continue to update this page with new relevant developments. Please continue to visit this page periodically. 
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NEW TELE-ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM - MITIGATE COVID-19 EXPOSURE

In response to the COVID-19 threat, we know you are making tough decisions about access to your facilities–balancing exposure risk, clinical care, and financial burden. Our new Tele-Engagement program is designed to address these issues by enabling a tele-health version of our industry leading wound care program. Under this new program, we have incorporated innovative technology and HIPAA compliant tools to bring Virtual Wound Rounds, Virtual Patient Review, and Remote Order capabilities to skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and other long-term care facilities across the nation.

RECOGNIZING HEALTHCARE HEROES 

AMT recognizes the selfless dedication of our nation's healthcare workers during these unprecedented times. Their service to patients is saving countless lives impacted by COVID-19.  ​Their commitment and courage deserve our deepest gratitude and admiration. We thank all the front-line healthcare professionals as well as the facility staff who work behind-the-scenes to serve our seniors. To express our gratitude, our Clinical Specialists have placed thousands of Heroes Work Here signs at long-term care and post-acute care facilities we serve. ​

Additional Educational & Informative Resources

  • National Level
  • State Specific
  • AMT Associates
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To view information specific to the recommendations and guidelines issued by a particular State, please visit the webpage for that State’s department of health and/or other related governmental agencies:

MITIGATING COVID-19 EXPOSURE WITH TELE-ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM
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