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CMS Revises Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies and Quality Improvement Activities in Nursing Homes | SNF
CMS rescinds previous QSO-20-31-ALL, from 2020, and issues updated guidance for Enhanced Enforcement for Infection Control Deficiencies.
Yesterday, March 30, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Clinical Standards and Quality/Quality Safety Oversight Group released QSO Memo QSO-23-10-NH , which updates the enhanced enforcement policy that was implemented early in the pandemic. This update is related to changes that have occurred throughout the pandemic, including an interim final rule that established long term care facility vaccine immunization requirement; CMS noted the need to continue to evaluate guidance. Read more.
DSHS Releases Dear Provider Letter Regarding DOH Masking Guidance for LTC Facilities | AL/ESF/SNF
DOH will update their Interim Recommendations for SARS-Co-V-2 Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings guidance on April 3. View the current guidance and the updated guidance. Once the updated DOH guidance is published, long term care settings are expected to follow the guidance. Facilities are asked to revise their policies to reflect the updated guidance by May 1, 2023. DOH will be hosting webinars to discuss the new guidance. See CDC guidance.
DSHS webinar dates:
- Thursday, April 6, 2023 | 10:00 am | Register
- Thursday, April 20, 2023 | 10:00 am | Register
Statewide Nursing Home NATCEP/CEP Waiver Extended to the End of the Federal Public Health Emergency | May 11, 2023 | SNF
During the Public Health Emergency (PHE), CMS has allowed certain Medicare and Medicaid waivers and flexibilities to help nursing homes address staffing shortages caused by the pandemic. This included a waiver that allowed facilities to employ individuals beyond four months in a nurse aide role even though they might not have completed a state-approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Program (NATCEP), or Competency Evaluation Program. However, CMS recently announced in the CMS PHE Fact Sheet dated February 27, 2023, that all nursing aide training emergency waivers for states and facilities will and at the end of the PHE, which is expected on May 11, 2023.
At that time:
- Facilities will have four months (i.e., until September 10, 2023) to have all nurse aides that were hired prior to the end of the PHE (before or on 5/11/2023) complete a state approved NATCEP/CEP.
- Nurse aides hired after the end of the PHE (after 5/11/2023) will have up to four months from their date of hire to complete a state approved NATCEP/CEP.
Read the DPL.
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