Author Archives: SC DHEC

Nursing Homes: Apply for CMP Funds

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DHEC’s Healthcare Quality would like to remind all nursing homes that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment (CMP) Program is an amazing funding opportunity to apply for that can provide aid and resources to nursing home facilities in South Carolina.

CMP funds may be used for, but not limited to, the following:

  • Activities that protect or improve the quality of care or quality of life for residents
  • Facility improvement initiatives, such as training or technical assistance
  • Assistance to support and protect residents of a facility that closes or is decertified
  • Culture change/quality of life
  • Projects that support resident and family councils and other consumer involvement in assuring quality care in facilities
  • Resident transition due to facility closure or downsizing
  • COVID-19 specific funding for virtual technology, such as iPads and tablets
  • COVID-19 specific funding for tents and shelters for outdoor visitation

More information regarding the CMP Program and its different application types, including COVID-19 Communicative Technology Funding and COVID-19 In-Person Visitation Aids Funding, is available in DHEC’sNursing Home Civil Money Penalty (CMP) Reinvestment Projects web page.

Contact CMPFunds@dhec.sc.gov with any questions regarding the program.

DHEC Celebrates the Importance of Adult Day Care Facilities

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During the week of September 19-25, Adult Day Care (ADCs) facilities are celebrated and recognized for National Adult Day Services Week. There are currently 94 licensed ADCs in the state and they can be found by searching DHEC’s Find a Facility map. 

ADCs work to provide community-based day care services for those adults in need of a supportive setting, thereby preventing unnecessary institutionalization. ADCs provide a minimum of four and a maximum of 14 hours of operation a day. 

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DHEC Celebrates National Assisted Living Week

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National Assisted Living Week, observed September 12-18, is held to recognize the hard work, compassion and care involved in operating assisted living facilities and the residents they serve.

An Assisted Living Facility (ALF) is also known as a Community Residential Care Facility (CRCF) in South Carolina. There are currently 480 licensed CRCFs in the state.

“Compassion, Community, Caring” is this year’s theme for National Assisted Living Week. The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for CRCFs, but DHEC has continuously aided the facilities despite the many changes that have occurred during the pandemic.

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Upstate Team and Partners Reopen COVID-19 Testing Site

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During peak COVID-19 testing in 2020 and earlier this year, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System (SRHS) operated a thriving drive-through test site at an old Dodge car dealership in downtown Spartanburg.  As testing need decreased, it became impracticable to continue operations at the site.   

As the Delta variant spawned, however, DHEC identified a need for a static test site in Spartanburg.  Capitalizing on an existing relationship, DHEC partnered with SRHS to re-open the former, drive-through, test site.

“Access to services for our communities is at a critical juncture with increasing demand and fewer available resources,” said Dr. Kandi Fredere, the Upstate Region Public Health Director. “It will take creative partnering to sustain services in the coming months.”

The healthcare system provides the location and supportive functions, and DHEC provides the testing team. SRHS was also instrumental in promoting and marketing the site, including an announcement on their weekly Foundation Insider Virtual Event platform.

Less than one week after the need was initially identified, the site was up and running and producing outstanding numbers. In less than seven days of operation, the site completed 3,539 tests.

The site is offers great testing flow and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 p.m.  Visitors do not need an appointment, are not required to have symptoms, and do not need a testing order.

“Sickle Cell Matters”: DHEC observes Sickle Cell Awareness Month

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Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a debilitating genetic disease that impacts many families across the globe. Every September is recognized as National Sickle Cell Awareness Month to help focus attention on the need for research and treatment of sickle cell disease.

This year’s theme, Sickle Cell Matters, also highlights the need to raise awareness about the daily struggles of those living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) as well as dismantle the stereotypes and stigmas associated with persons who have the disease. 

SCD affects millions of people throughout the world. Although SCD is most common among African Americans in the United States, it can also affect Hispanics and people whose ancestors come from countries in South Asia (such as India), southern Europe (such as Greece and Italy), and the Middle East (such as Saudi Arabia and Lebanon).

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