EOHHS Congregate Care
Guidance for Congregate Care Programs
- EOHHS COVID-19 Guidance for organizations that operate congregate care programs, August 4, 2021
- This guidance replaces congregate care guidance dated July 9, 2021, June 14, 2021, and March 22, 2021.
Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance
On August 4, 2021, EOHHS issued revised surveillance testing guidance for organizations that operate residential congregate care programs, veteran’s shelters, and residential schools. EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance (this guidance replaces the May 12, 2021 and March 22, 2021 guidance)
- FAQ for the EOHHS Congregate Care Surveillance Testing Guidance
- Guidance for Abbott BinaxNOW in Congregate Care
- FAQ and contracting documents for the EOHHS Surveillance Testing program prior to December 17, 2020 update
Congregate Care Infection Control Resources
Click here for infection control resources for Congregate Care Settings, developed through a partnership with Commonwealth Medicine, in coordination with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), the Department of Public Health (DPH) and state agencies.
Testing Guidance
Health Care Professionals
- DPH COVID-19 Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, August 16, 2021
- this guidance replaces the guidance issued July 2, 2021 and the guidance issued June 14, 2021
- DPH Guidance to implement the DPH Order authorizing additional individuals to vaccinate, June 14, 2021
- Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination, December 16, 2020
- DPH Guidance for all workers: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc, updated March 8, 2021
Clinicians
Clinicians who see patients with recent travel to areas with community transmission of COVID-19 who have a fever, lower respiratory tract symptoms (such as shortness of breath and cough), and/or contact with a known COVID-19 patient, should contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) 24/7 at (617) 983-6800 for assistance. Further clinical guidance:
- DPH Guidance, October 1: Allocation of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics to Health Care Providers
- COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Hospitalization and Death Report Form
- Notification to Test Contacts Regardless of Symptoms | Doc, issued May 11, 2020
- Crisis Standards of Care Planning Guidance for the COVID-19 Pandemic, updated October 20, 2020
- Guidance for clinicians caring for patients with COVID-19
- Updated infection prevention and control guidance specific to COVID-19
In the event of an outbreak, all hospitals should be prepared for the possible arrival of patients with COVID-19. The CDC Hospital Preparedness Checklist outlines a number of important practices.
Lab professionals
- DPH Guidance, August 30, 2021: COVID-19 Variant Reporting and Specimen Requests Memo
- DPH Guidance, June 14, 2021: Temporary Laboratory License for CLIA-waived COVID-19 Testing and Clinical Laboratory Alternate Sites
- On April 7, 2020, DPH issued guidance to clinical labs which (1) aligns the Massachusetts exempt test with all tests on the current list of CLIA waived tests; and (2) alleviates the need for certain providers to obtain a clinical laboratory license in order to conduct testing on their own patients. Massachusetts Clinical Laboratory Program – Changes to Exempt Test List and Definition of Physician
Sexual and Domestic Violence (SDV) service providers
- COVID-19 Guidance for SDV Programs, updated April 23, 2020
School health professionals
DPH guidance for school nurses and other school personnel:
- Handwashing/Sanitizer Guidance and Limited Waiver of 105 CMR 210.000 Related to Sanitizer, June 10, 2021
- Information for School Health Offices, updated July 29, 2021
Temporary Nursing Agencies
DPH guidance for registered temporary nursing agencies in Massachusetts:
- Temporary Nursing Agencies Rates, February 16, 2021
Health Care Organizations
- DPH COVID-19 Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, August 16, 2021
- this guidance replaces the guidance issued July 2, 2021 and the guidance issued June 14, 2021
- Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination, December 16, 2020
- Updated Anterior Nares (Nasal Swab) Specimen Collection by Unlicensed Healthcare Personnel, September 25, 2020
Hospitals
DPH asks hospitals to carefully review guidance from the CDC and DPH with all healthcare personnel to care for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. DPH has also issued guidance to acute and non-acute care hospitals, including:
- DPH Guidance, October 1: Allocation of COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics to Health Care Providers
- DPH Guidance, September 17, 2021: COVID-19 Resurgence Planning and Response Guidance for Acute Care Hospitals
- DPH Guidance, August 31, 2021: Updated Guidance Regarding Implementation of Alternative Acute Care Space
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on June 28, 2021 and June 14, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, July 30, 2021: WebEOC Data Reporting for COVID-19
- DPH Hospital Visitation Guidance, updated July 22, 2021
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on March 16, 2020, June 6, 2020, September 16, 2020, and June 14, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, October 26, 2021: Hospital Space for COVID-19 Testing, Treatment and Vaccine Administration
- This guidance replaces the guidance released on June 14, 2021
- DPH Guidance, May 24, 2021: Vaccination of Admitted Patients
- DPH Guidance, December 31, 2020: Hospital Transfer and Discharge Guidance
- DPH Guidance for all workers, updated March 8, 2021: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc
- DPH Guidance, July 31, 2020: Update to Defining Aerosol Generating Procedures and Recommended PPE
- Reminder about the importance of newborn screening and testing, April 14, 2020: Newborn Screening and COVID-19
- Temporary changes in policy for newborn hearing screening, April 17, 2020: Letter to Birth Hospitals
- Information for Academic Medical Centers, April 4, 2020:
- The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine (BORIM) has authorized expediting full licensure for clinical fellows. Please find additional information from BORIM regarding physician licensure, including an emergency temporary 90 day license application for physicians who have completed training seeking a full license: Emergency Physician Full License Application.
Non-Acute Care Hospitals
- DPH Guidance, October 14, 2021: Considerations for Caring for COVID-19 Recovered Residents
- This guidance replaces the memorandum released on June 28, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, May 24, 2021: Vaccination of Admitted Patients
- DPH Guidance, May 22, 2020: Caring for Non-Acute Care Hospital Patients
Clinics
- DPH Guidance, October 26, 2021: Clinic Space for COVID-19 Testing, Treatment and Vaccine Administration
- This guidance replaces the guidance released on June 14, 2021
- DPH Guidance, July 31, 2020: Update to Defining Aerosol Generating Procedures and Recommended PPE
Substance Addiction Service Providers
DPH guidance:
- Ensuring Access by Reducing Barriers to Admission Related to COVID-19, effective February 22, 2021.
- Required Reporting of COVID-19 Positive Cases by BSAS Licensees and Contractors, January 5, 2021
- Waivers from Certain Regulatory Requirements, updated June 14, 2021
- Appropriate Use of Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, revised June 9, 2021
- Overdose Response and COVID-19 Transmission Risk, June 4, 2020
-
- For Section 35 providers: Section 35 Visitor Guidance, March 23, 2020
- For Opioid Treatment Programs: COVID-19 Medication Dosing in Opioid Treatment Programs, revised June 19, 2021
Emergency Responders & Law Enforcement
DPH has issued guidance to emergency responders and has shared important guidance from the CDC, including:
- DPH COVID-19 Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, August 16, 2021
- this guidance replaces the guidance issued July 2, 2021 and the guidance issued June 14, 2021
- DPH Guidance for all workers, updated March 8, 2021: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc
- DPH Guidance, April 3, 2020:
Caregivers
- DPH COVID-19 Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, August 16, 2021
- this guidance replaces the guidance issued July 2, 2021 and the guidance issued June 14, 2021
- DPH Guidance for all health care organizations and providers, December 16, 2020: Considerations for Health Care Personnel After COVID-19 Vaccination
- DPH guidance for all healthcare facilities, September 25, 2020: Updated Anterior Nares (Nasal Swab) Specimen Collection by Unlicensed Healthcare Personnel
- Guidance for family members of Nursing Facility, Rest Home or Assisted Living residents, April 9, 2020: Considerations for Moving a Loved One Home from a Nursing Facility, Rest Home or Assisted Living Residence
- DPH Guidance for all workers, updated March 9, 2021: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc
For long term care facilities
Signs for Facilities:
- Caution Signs for Isolated Individuals in Long-Term Care Facilities (updated August 19, 2021)
- Caution Signs for Quarantined Individuals in Long-Term Care Facilities (updated August 19, 2021)
- Caution Sign – General PPE Precautions (updated June 23, 2021)
- Hand Hygiene and PPE Observations
DPH has issued guidance to long term care facilities and has shared important guidance from the CDC, including:
- DPH Guidance, September 27, 2021: COVID-19 Booster Dose Vaccination Guidance
- DPH Guidance, September 24, 2021: Updated COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirement
- This guidance replaces guidance issued August 16, 2021 and August 4, 2021.
- Related to the DPH Order issued August 4, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, September 24, 2021: COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirement for Rest Homes
- DPH Guidance, updated September 24, 2021: September 2021 Update to Caring for Long-Term Care Residents during the COVID-19 Emergency
- This guidance replaces guidance published on August 4, 2021, June 18, 2021, May 24, 2021, March 12, 2021, December 7, 2020, November 18, 2020, September 15, 2020, July 30, 2020 and April 29, 2020.
- DPH Guidance, September 24, 2021: Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing
- This document replaces the August 4, 2021, May 5, 2021, March 12, December 7, November 23, October 5, August 27, August 17 and July 1 memorandums.
- FAQ: Surveillance Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH Guidance, August 19, 2021: COVID-19 Additional Dose Vaccination Guidance for Immunocompromised Individuals
- DPH Guidance, August 4, 2021: Guidance on Visitation Conditions, Communal Dining and Congregate Activities in LTCFs during the COVID-19 Outbreak
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on June 14, 2021, March 12, 2021, February 3, 2021, December 7, 2020, November 4, 2020, September 15, 2020, August 17, 2020, July 20, 2020, July 2, 2020, June 1, 2020, and March 16, 2020 Memorandum
- DPH Guidance, updated August 4, 2021: BinaxNOW Rapid Point of Care COVID-19 Testing for Long-Term Care Facilities
- This document replaces the May 25, 2021, March 30, 2021, January 21, 2021, December 29, 2020, December 7, 2020, and November 23, 2020 memorandum.
- Long-Term Care BinaxNOW Maximum Order Volumes (updated May 25, 2021)
- DPH Guidance, July 30, 2021: Vaccination of Assisted Living and Long-Term Care Residents, Visitors, and Staff
- This guidance replaces guidance released on June 22, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, July 19, 2021: Control of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH Guidance, updated July 12, 2021: Updated Guidance for Implementing Order of the Commissioner of the Public Health Regarding Control of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities.
- This guidance replaces guidance issued by the Department on June 14, 2021.
- List of Long-Term Care Facilities with Current Admissions Freezes, updated October 26, 2021
- DPH Guidance, October 14, 2021: Considerations for Caring for COVID-19 Recovered Residents
- This guidance replaces the memorandum released on June 28, 2021.
- DPH Guidance, April 1, 2021: Update to Allowing Non-Essential Personnel in Long-Term Care Facilities
- This document replaces the July 30, 2020 memorandum
- DPH Guidance, March 26, 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting for Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH Guidance, March 5, 2021: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Nursing Homes and Rest Homes for the 2020-2021 Season
- This document replaces the December 23 and November 6 memorandum
- DPH Guidance, October 5, 2020: Point of Care Testing Devices for Nursing Homes
- DPH Guidance, July 1, 2020:
- DPH Guidance, April 6, 2020: Personal Protective Equipment Requests, New Signage for COVID-19 Resident Rooms, and Reporting COVID-19 Deaths in Long-Term Care Facilities
- DPH fact sheet: Alcohol-Based Hand Rub in Long Term Care Facilities
For assisted living residences
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) guidance, August 9, 2021: Revised Guidance for Assisted Living Residences during COVID-19 | Appendix B: COVID-19 Reporting Template
- This replaces the June 14, 2021, March 17, 2021, January 20, 2021, November 9, September 21, July 2, June 1 and March 16 memorandums
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) Guidance, August 9, 2021: BinaxNOW Guidance for Assisted Living Residences | Attachment B: COVID-19 Reporting Template
- DPH Guidance, August 4, 2021: Updates to Long-Term Care Surveillance Testing
- This document replaces the May 5, 2021, March 12, December 7, November 23, October 5, August 27, August 17 and July 1 memorandums.
- FAQ: Surveillance Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
- Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) guidance, updated June 22, 2021: Vaccination Opportunities for ALRs Post Federal Pharmacy Partnership Program
- EOEA Guidance to implement the DPH Order regarding authorization for skilled nursing care and staffing updates in assisted living facilities, June 15, 2021.
For Early Intervention providers
Guidance for Massachusetts Early Intervention vendor agencies:
- COVID-19 - Massachusetts Early Intervention Telehealth Guidelines
- MA EI Telehealth Policy for Specialty Providers:
For in-home caregivers
- Guidance for agency based in-home caregivers & workers (e.g. Home Health Agencies, Personal Care Management Agencies, Home Care Agencies, Adult Foster Care, etc.): Agency In-Home Care COVID-19 Guidance
- Guidance for agencies working with the DPH Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition: Reopening Massachusetts: Guidance for BFHN Home Visiting Programs, updated June 21, 2021
- Guidance for non-agency based in-home caregivers (e.g. PCAs, Independent Nurses, etc.): Non Agency In Home Care COVID-19 Guidance
For community day programs
Guidance for community day program settings (e.g. Adult Day Health, Day Habilitation, Clubhouses, Councils on Aging, etc.):
- EOHHS COVID-19 Guidance for day programs - August 4, 2021
- This document replaces the July 26, 2021 and June 14, 2021 guidance.
- EOHHS COVID-19 Guidance for Human Service Transportation - June 24, 2021
- EOHHS COVID-19 Human Service Transportation Checklist - June 24, 2021
- DPH Guidance, November 6, 2020: Guidance Regarding Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel at Massachusetts Adult Day Health Programs for the 2020-2021 Influenza Season
For hospice programs
- DPH Guidance, September 24, 2021: COVID-19 Personnel Vaccination Requirement for Hospice Programs
Businesses
DPH guidance:
- DPH guidance for all workers, updated March 8, 2021: Return to Work Guidance PDF | Doc
- Mold and Legionella Reopening Guidance, issued May 22, 2020
Recreational Camps and Programs
DPH guidance: Recreational Camps and Programs Health and Safety Standards for Reopening
Homeless Shelters
Guidance and information for homeless shelter providers is available here: Homelessness Support During COVID-19.
Local government
Guidance for Town Meetings to Address COVID-19 PDF | Doc
Local Boards of Health
DPH COVID-19 Information for Local Boards of Health includes updates on public health guidance, materials for communicating with the public, and shareable preparedness resources.
Insurers
DPH Guidance to implement the DPH Order regarding access to certain immunization information for insurance carriers and MassHealth.