--- title: CMS COVID-19 Toolkit – Highlights from Comms and Visitors Section description: Best-of-the-best practices in Communications and Screening/Visitors from CMS' Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes. image: https://info.primecaretech.com/hubfs/Email%20Banners/COMMUNICATIONS%20AND%20VISITORS%20Best%20Practices%20Across%20U.S.%20Nursing%20Homes.png --- [![PCT PCD Email Signature (524 x 102 px) (300 x 100 px) (1)](https://www.primecareholdings.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PCT%20%20PCD%20Email%20Signature%20(524%20x%20102%20px)%20(300%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png?width=300&height=100&name=PCT%20%20PCD%20Email%20Signature%20(524%20x%20102%20px)%20(300%20x%20100%20px)%20(1).png) ](https://www.primecareholdings.com/prv) [![Request A Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/79917/f5e6168c-e0a4-45aa-912f-32a380cc04e5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/79917/f5e6168c-e0a4-45aa-912f-32a380cc04e5) ###### 3 min read # [CMS COVID-19 Toolkit – Highlights from Comms and Visitors Section](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/more-from-cms-toolkit-for-mitigating-covid-19) By [Prime Care Tech Marketing](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/author/prime-care-tech-marketing) on Sun, Aug 30, 2020 @ 10:07 AM ![](https://info.primecaretech.com/hubfs/Email%20Banners/COMMUNICATIONS%20AND%20VISITORS%20Best%20Practices%20Across%20U.S.%20Nursing%20Homes.png) Last week, CMS released a 158-page [Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes](https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-toolkit-states-mitigate-covid-19-nursing-homes.pdf) to include 15 sections of best practices from various states. We've pulled out some of the best of best in *Nursing Home Communications* and *Screening/Visitors* for your quick scan this week.  Read on and download/print our [At-A-Glance infographic](https://info.primecaretech.com/hubfs/Infographics/communications-visitors-best-practices-nursing-homes.png) to share among your peers. ## **Technology** One of your best defenses in mitigating COVID-19 is technology to help residents stay connected. This can be as simple as investing in tablets or seeking out generous partners.  [FutureCare](https://futurecare.com/news/new-telecommunication-system-at-futurecare-/328/) invested in a robust new telecommunication system that enables each patient to have remote face to face communications with their loved ones via iPads.  Meanwhile, [Massachusetts Senior Care](https://www.boston25news.com/news/health/mass-ag-working-with-nursing-retirement-homes-provide-new-ways-residents-connect-with-loved-ones/S6W6TVU4OBE5PDEJIYLGPEGNKY/) with the help of the attorney general continues to secure donations of tablets -- 800 and growing -- from companies like Amazon, Walmart, Teel Technologies, and Acer. ## **Visitation Creativity** If connecting to family using technology is still leaving your residents feeling let down, here are some ideas that may help. [Arkansas Greenhurst Nursing Center](https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/greenhurt-living-center-made-visiting-stations-for-residents/527-5ca4dd04-da93-4701-9af3-4fb594cdef06) created glass booths to allow residents to visit with loved ones. [Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community](https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/prince-of-peaces-new-visitation-booth-allows-families-to-reconnect/) in South Dakota also created a visitation booth using plexiglass.   The [Lincoln Home](https://www.facebook.com/LincolnHome/posts/3157306174363374) in Newcastle, Maine divided their porch in half for safe family visitation, with residents entering from the inside, and guests from the outside. "We can truly see that she's doing ok," says one popular resident's family.  ## **Communications Centers** COVID-19 is placing a heavy demand on you to communicate with not just families, but many government agencies. Some facilities have hired or designated staff members strictly for communications as a means of efficiency. Here's how some others are tackling communications.  As a liaison between residents and family, the [New Mexico Ombudsman Program](http://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/town-hall-meetings-1.aspx) is conducting regular Town Hall meetings to hopefully reach more people at once, as they answer COVID-related questions and educate on resident rights, family councils, technology innovations, etc. [PruittHealth](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=652265318942829) set up an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that is active 24 hours a day, seven days week to answer questions or to schedule a video chat with loved ones. Lastly, [Tieszan Memorial Home](https://www.facebook.com/tieszenmemorialhome) in South Dakota is simply using its social media page to keep the community and resident's families informed of all things COVID-19. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Prime Care Tech Marketing](https://info.primecaretech.com/hubfs/Branding%20(PCT-Logos-Pics)/PCT-Trans.png) #### Written by [Prime Care Tech Marketing](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/author/prime-care-tech-marketing) [**](https://www.facebook.com/primecaretechnologies) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prime-care-technologies/) [**](https://twitter.com/PrimeCareTech) ###### [** Previous Post](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/cms-toolkit-mitigating-covid-19-in-nursing-homes) [![](https://info.primecaretech.com/hubfs/Image-Ads/Infection-Control-BPs-Blog.png) ](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/cms-toolkit-mitigating-covid-19-in-nursing-homes) ###### [CMS COVID-19 Toolkit – Highlights from Infection Control Section](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/cms-toolkit-mitigating-covid-19-in-nursing-homes) ###### [Next Post **](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/staffing-highlights-from-cms-covid-19-toolkit) [![](https://info.primecaretech.com/hubfs/Email%20Banners/Screen%20Shot%202020-09-04%20at%205.41.45%20PM.png) ](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/staffing-highlights-from-cms-covid-19-toolkit) ###### [CMS COVID-19 Toolkit: Staffing Section Highlights](https://www.primecareholdings.com/news/staffing-highlights-from-cms-covid-19-toolkit) ##### Healthcare & Senior Care Apps Healthcare & Senior Care Apps [managed care MASTER](https://www.managedcaregroup.net) [primeCLAIMS](https://www.myprimeclaims.com)  [primeVIEW](https://www.primeviewanalytics.com) ##### IT Services IT Services [primeARCHIVE](http://www.primecaretech.com) [primeBENEFITS](https://www.primeforcetech.com) ##### Company Info Company Info ##### Contact Us Contact Us Copyright Prime Care Holdings, Inc. © 2026 ** ![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=5568764&fmt=gif)