The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-070 Update: Department of Human Services (DHS) Choking Prevention Website Now Available. This communication announces the release of the Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Choking Prevention website. This communication is being reissued to provide an updated link to the DHS Choking Prevention website. Updates appear in red text.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 25-070: Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Choking Prevention Website Now Available. The purpose of this announcement is to inform stakeholders about the new DHS Choking Prevention website. Please review the announcement for information on accessing the webpage and other details about this new site.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached revised communication; ODPANN 21-073: Skin Integrity Initiative Tools and Methodology. The revised document details changes made to the process of identifying those with pressure injuries and how the Health Care Quality Units will prioritize outreach to participants. Changes in the document are in red.

Please review the revised document for additional information and details.

Summary

• RSV activity is rising rapidly in Pennsylvania, especially among children under age five and adults aged 65 and older.
• RSV is a leading cause of severe respiratory illness, responsible for 60,000-120,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths annually among adults 65 years and older in the US.
• RSV vaccines (which are not annual) are recommended for pregnant people (32-36 weeks gestation), adults 60-74 years with certain health risks, and for everyone 75 and older.
• RSV vaccines demonstrate moderate to high efficacy in reducing morbidity and mortality especially in older adults.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all babies be protected from severe RSV by vaccinating pregnant individuals at 32-36 weeks gestational age or administering a long-acting monoclonal antibody to infants aged < 8 months entering their first RSV season and for those aged 8–19 months at increased risk for severe RSV infection.

Recommendations:

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached updated communicated; ODPANN 24-094: Current Requirements for Tuberculosis Testing in Chapter 2380, 6400, and 6500. Updates are in red.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication; ODPANN 24-113: Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 Vaccinations – Holiday Guidance. The purpose of this announcement is to promote health and safety by providing current vaccine information and helpful reminders about holiday gatherings and to remind ODP providers of the expectation to support individuals to access all available and recommended vaccinations.

Please review the announcement for important information, details, and links.

The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) requests your assistance sharing the attached communication, ODPANN 24-094: Current requirements for Tuberculosis Testing in Chapters 2380, 6400, and 6500. The purpose of this announcement is to inform providers of updated guidance for complying with Tuberculosis (TB) Testing requirements in Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) licensing regulations.

Please review the announcement for additional information and detail.