CMS released a memorandum addressing COVID-19 survey activities, enhanced enforcement, and engagement of Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs). CMS also released a state-by-state report on COVID-19 cases for residents and staff along with numbers of infection control focused surveys completed. The memorandum includes guidance related to
- Focused Infection Control Nursing Home Surveys and CARES Act Supplemental Funding
- States that have not completed focused infection control surveys in 100% of their state’s nursing homes by July 31, 2020 will be required to submit a corrective action plan outlining the strategy for completion of these surveys within 30 days.
- Access to CARES Act allocations will be impacted by state performance on completing the nursing home infection control focused surveys.
- COVID-19 Survey Activities
- Requiring states to implement the following COVID-19 survey activities. States that fail to perform these survey activities timely and completely could forfeit up to 5% of their CARES Act allocation, annually.
- Expanded Survey Activities
- Emphasizes Nursing Homes Re-opening Recommendations, which indicates that once a state has entered Phase 3 of the reopening process, states may use their discretion as to whether and how they decide to expand survey activity beyond the current survey prioritization.
- Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies
- For all infection control deficiencies at a scope and severity of D or above, CMS will impose a directed plan of correction that will include the use of root cause analysis.
- Support From Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs)
- Nursing homes can take advantage of weekly National Nursing Home Training that focuses on infection control, prevention and management to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.Nursing homes can locate the QIO responsible for their state here.
Read the memo from CMS here.