This letter from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) outlines requirements for healthcare facilities, such as nursing homes, to maintain a Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) committee. This committee must consist of a minimum of the director of nursing (DON), the Medical Director or designee, the Infection Preventionist (IP), and at least three other staff, one of whom must be the facility's administrator, owner, board member, or other individual in a leadership role. The committee is to report to the governing body (or designated person(s) functioning as a governing body) on its activities, including implementation of the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. The IP must report on the Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPCP) and incidents (e.g. healthcare-associated infections) on a regular basis. The QAA committee must meet at least quarterly, and with enough frequency to conduct required QAPI activities. This letter requires healthcare facilities to establish and maintain a QAA committee, ensure the committee is composed of the required members, report to the governing body, and meet at least quarterly.

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