The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a new Quality & Safety Memo, reinforcing existing requirements for nursing homes to report communicable diseases, healthcare-associated infections, and potential outbreaks to State and Local health departments. CMS will require facilities to report this data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a standardized format and frequency. Failure to report confirmed COVID-19 cases and Persons under Investigation (PUI) could result in enforcement action. Additionally, CMS will preview a new requirement for facilities to notify residents and their representatives about the conditions inside the facility, such as new COVID-19 cases. Nursing homes must inform residents and their representatives within 12 hours of a single confirmed infection or three or more new-onset respiratory symptoms within 72 hours. Updates must be provided weekly or each time a new confirmed infection is identified. Failure to report or provide timely notification could result in enforcement action against the nursing home by CMS.

Summaries are generataed using AI. Check important information.