CMS Releases Enhanced Enforcement Actions Based on Nursing Home COVID-19 Data and Inspection Results

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.

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