Summary

• Burden Reduction Final Rule Interpretive Guidelines:The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is releasing interpretive guidelines and updates to Appendix Z of the State Operations Manual (SOM) as a result of the revisions of the Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction (CoPs) (CMS 3346-F) Final Rule.
• Expanded Guidance related to Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs):CMS is also providing additional guidance based on best practices, lessons learned and general recommendations for planning and preparedness for EID outbreaks.Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs)

As facilities develop or make revisions to their emergency preparedness plans, EID’s are a potential threat which can impact the operations and continuity of care within a healthcare setting and should be considered. The type of infectious diseases to consider or the care-related emergencies that are a result of infectious diseases are not specified. Adding EID’s within a facility’s risk assessment ensures that facilities consider having infection prevention personnel involved in the planning, development and revisions to the emergency preparedness program, as these individuals would likely be coordinating activities within the facility during a potential surge of patients.

Some examples of EID’s may include, but are not limited to:

• • Potentially infectious Bio-Hazardous Waste
  • Bioterrorism
  • Pandemic Flu
  • Highly Communicable Diseases (such as Ebola, Zika Virus, SARS, or novel COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2)

EID’s may be localized to a certain community or be widespread (as seen with the COVID-19 PHE) and therefore plans for coordination with local, state, and federal officials are essential. Facilities should engage and coordinate with their local healthcare systems and healthcare coalitions, and their state and local health departments when deciding on ways to meet surge needs in their community

• REMINDER:  Facilities are required to develop and maintain an emergency preparedness plan. The plan must include all of the required elements under the standard. The plan must be reviewed and updated at least every 2 years, with the exception for LTC facilities which must review and update their plan on an annual basis.

QSO-21-15

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804