New CMS Initiative Investigating COVID-19 Surges

New CMS Initiative Investigating COVID-19 Surges

We learned today that CMS is spearheading a new initiative to work directly with nursing homes that are reporting significant spikes in COVID-19 cases. Representatives from CMS, along with representatives from CDC and public health service, will visit 18 nursing homes across several states beginning tomorrow (July 18) to explore issues. The visits are not surveys, though if any significant issues are identified, such as an immediate jeopardy situation, a referral will be made to the state survey agency. The visits will likely be only a few hours and will follow a questionnaire/tool that explores:

  • What is the nursing home doing to keep COVID-19 out?
  • How is the nursing home identifying cases or potential cases?
  • What is the nursing home doing to prevent transmission within the nursing home?
  • What kind of staffing issues is the nursing home experiencing?

This initial round of 18 visits is a pilot. We may see an expansion depending on the effectiveness of this initiative. We do not believe WA State nursing homes are on the original list of 18.

 

Questions?

Contact:

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