Capitol Hill Healthcare is one of a small number of long-term healthcare facilities to have completed a federal training program on COVID-19. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) program is for clinical staff and management and part of a nationwide effort to combat the spread of the disease in nursing homes. According to the agency, “There are 125,506 individuals from 7,313 nursing homes who have completed the training. This represents approximately 12.5% of the approximately one million nursing home staff in the country.”

The CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff & Management program was made available nationally in August. Capitol Hill decided to make it a requirement for all our frontline staff and management employees. Capitol Hill is the only facility in Montgomery where 50% or more of the staff have completed the training, according to a CMS announcement.

“We are committed to doing whatever we can to keep our residents and community as safe as possible,” said Administrator Michael Burnett. “This training is important to ensuring our staff has the latest information available so they can provide the best care.”

The training program includes multiple modules, with emphases on topics such as infection control, screening and surveillance, personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, disinfection of the nursing home, and caring for individuals with dementia during a pandemic. CMS developed this training in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and long-term healthcare experts.

“This program has been a tremendous opportunity to continue our investment in professional development as well as seeking new and better ways to serve our residents,” Burnett said.

To learn more about the CMS Targeted COVID-19 Training for Frontline Nursing Home Staff & Management, click here.