CMS CCS&Q/QS&OG has revised long-term care surveyor guidance to SSA directors who should begin using it to identify non-compliance on 10/24/2022.

This has revisions to the guidance for Phases 2 & 3 of the Final Rule (2016 overhaul of Requirements of Participation for SNFs), with clarifications and technical corrections of Phase 2 guidance issued in 2017 and new guidance for Phase 3 requirements from 11/28/2019. Additional clarifications in regulatory groups of Quality of Life and Quality of Care, Food and Nutrition Services, and Physical Environment.

· Arbitration Agreement Requirements, guidance on the new requirements effective 9/16/2019

· Investigating Complaints and Facility Reported Incidents, with revisions to Chapter 5 and related exhibits of the SOM

· Psychosocial Outcomes Severity Guide, revised guidance to clarify reasonable person concept

CMS is urging providers to consider making changes to their physical environment to allow for a maximum of double occupancy in each room. CMS encourages facilities to explore ways in which they can allow for more single occupancy rooms for residents. There are several advantages to limiting rooms to double or single occupancy, including:

1. Allowing for more resident privacy for daily activities such as dressing and visiting with friends and family (§483.10(h)).

2. Encourages a homelike environment (§483.10(i)).

3. Improving infection control and prevention by reducing the risks associated with multiple residents in the same room, and making it easier to isolate or quarantine residents who are infectious.

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