The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid has released guidance prioritizing and suspending most federal and state survey agency (SSA) surveys, and delaying revisit surveys, for the next three weeks beginning on March 20, 2020, for all nursing homes. For non-IJ related onsite surveys that are currently in process, survey teams are instructed to end the survey and exit the facility.
State and federal surveyors should not enter the building, for any type of survey, if they are unable to meet the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) expectations outlined by the latest CDC guidance. They may instead obtain necessary information remotely, to the extent possible.
Federal and state surveyors will conduct targeted infection control surveys of providers identified together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). ISDH will also be deploying Strike Teams to assist with emergency preparedness efforts and PPE evaluation an acquisition. They will use this survey tool to review infection prevention and control practices. Surveyors will review for:
Overall effectiveness of the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) including policies and procedures
Standard and Transmission-Based Precautions (with the understanding that certain essential supplies are scarce, and facilities should not be penalized for not having certain supplies if they are unable to obtain them)
Quality of resident care practices, including those with COVID-19 (laboratory-positive case), if applicable
Surveillance plan
Visitor entry and facility screening practices Education, monitoring and screening practices of staff
Facility policies and procedures to address staffing issues during emergencies, such as transmission of COVID-19
