The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued an All Facilities Letter informing skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) about new infection prevention recommendations and the incorporation of these measures into the Quality and Accountability Supplemental Payment (QASP) Program. The recommendations include training standards for initial and continuing education, regular infection preventionist (IP) functions and activities, and the infection prevention and control (IPC) program. SNFs are required to have a full-time dedicated IP and an infection prevention plan in place by January 1, 2021. The CDPH will monitor compliance during SNF mitigation surveys, and failure to follow guidance may result in a facility's ineligibility for an annual increase in the weighted average Medi-Cal reimbursement rate. The new measure will be included in the performance period for the April 2022 QASP awards, contingent upon federal approval. The QASP Program is scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2022, after which a successor supplemental payment or similar quality-based program will be developed.

Summaries are generataed using AI. Check important information.