COVID-19 UPDATE #250
June 17, 2022
CMS RELEASES MEMO ON STAFF VACCINATION REQUIREMENT COMPLIANCE IN SNFs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released QSO-22-17-ALL, providing new information on how CMS will survey for compliance of the staff vaccination requirement. CMS survey oversight of the staff vaccination requirement for Medicare and Medicaid-certified providers and suppliers will continue to be performed during initial and recertifications surveys. However, it will now only be performed in response to complaints alleging non-compliance with this requirement instead of all surveys.  

CMS will revise QSO-22-11 to ensure deficiency determinations reflect good faith efforts implemented by providers and suppliers and incorporate harm or potential harm to residents resulting from any non-compliance.  

CMS also noted that nearly 12,000 providers and suppliers have been surveyed for compliance since the vaccine requirement went into effect in February 2022, and 95 percent of providers and suppliers have been found to be in substantial compliance with the vaccination requirement.
NHSN CHANGES DEFINITION OF UP-TO-DATE FOR SNF REPORTING
Beginning with the reporting week of June 27, 2022, the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) will update its definition of up-to-date for COVID-19 vaccines. The CDC recently updated its definition of up-to-date for certain individuals, which inspired the change to the NHSN surveillance definition.  

On Thursday, June 23, from 11 AM to 12 PM PSST, NHSN will host a webinar to review this definition change for the COVID-19 Vaccination Module. A review of the new definition, example scenarios, and frequently asked questions will be discussed. ​Register in advance for the webinar.
CMS RESCINDS PRIOR QSO ON VACCINATION FOR SURVEYORS PERFORMING FEDERAL OVERSIGHT IN SNFs
CMS has released QSO-22-18-ALL to announce it is rescinding the QSO-22-10-ALL memo from January 25, 2022. The January memo noted surveyors who were not fully vaccinated or who did not have an exemption should not participate as part of the onsite survey team performing federal oversight of certified providers and suppliers.

With the removal of QSO-22-10- ALL, surveyor vaccination for performing on​site surveys is no longer a federal requirement but will be managed by each state. Washington State will not be affected due to the existing state mandate for vaccination which includes the required vaccination for state employees.
DOH BEGINS NEW LTC Q&A CALL SERIES JULY 7 FOR ALL LONG TERM CARE PROVIDERS
The Department of Health has scheduled a new LTC Q&A call series beginning July 7 and continuing through October 27. Please register in advance and email DOH by Monday with any questions you would like included in that week's slides.
RESPIRATOR USE TO PREVENT COVID-19 DURING HEALTH CARE STAFF SHORTAGES
With COVID-19 hospitalizations on the rise in Washington State, health care facilities may be facing staffing shortages due to increased service demand, as well as health care personnel in quarantine or isolation.

The Department of Labor and Industries' Respirator Use to Prevent COVID-19 During Health Care Staff Shortages Hazard Alert (April 6, 2022) describes when respirators and source control are required for health care workers. The Hazard Alert also provides information about a worker's right to wear a respirator voluntarily.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
WHCA continues to post resources and information as it becomes available on our website. If you have questions or need additional information, please call the WHCA office at (800) 562-6170.