Section 103-B. Duties of department.
The department shall do the following to implement the Regional Response Health Collaborative Program:
(1) Divide the Commonwealth into six geographic regions, as follows:
(i) Northeast.
(ii) Southeast.
(iii) North central.
(iv) South central.
(v) Northwest.
(vi) Southwest.
(2) Solicit proposals from and enter into a grant agreement with at least one eligible health collaborative applicant from each region under paragraph (1) to provide operations, management and administration to protect residents in facilities from COVID-19.
(3) Establish guidelines for each health collaborative to:
(i) Promote health and stabilize the economy of the region by directly supporting COVID-19 readiness and response in facilities.
(ii) Improve the quality of care related to infection prevention and other priority health care conditions common to facilities.
(iii) Expand COVID-19 testing to include asymptomatic staff and residents in facilities to expand public health surveillance.
(iv) Implement best practices in infection control, including, but not limited to:
(A) enhanced testing capability;
(B) infection control consultation and implementation, including contact tracing; and
(C) advanced clinical care, including onsite and telemedicine-supported clinical care, remote monitoring and physician consultation.
(103-B added May 29, 2020, P.L.186, No.24)