During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched an unprecedented national training program to protect America's most vulnerable seniors. I served as one of the lead eLearning developers creating comprehensive infection control training deployed to all 15,400 Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes nationwide.
The Challenge:
Frontline nursing home workers and management urgently needed targeted COVID-19 training based on real-world findings from federal strike teams, CDC epidemiologists, and CMS nursing home inspections during active outbreaks.
The Solution:
Developed 15 comprehensive training modules:
- 5 modules for frontline clinical staff (Hand Hygiene & PPE, Screening, Cleaning, Cohorting, Dementia Care)
- 10 modules for nursing home management (including Emergency Preparedness, Telehealth, Vaccine Delivery)
- Scenario-based learning incorporating lessons from actual outbreak responses
- Accessible web-based format for immediate nationwide deployment
The Impact:
Training reached 15,400 nursing homes serving millions of vulnerable seniors. Program was announced in official CMS press release by Administrator Seema Verma as part of the "Trump Administration's unwavering commitment to the safety of American seniors." Supported critical infection control during the pandemic's most challenging period.
