CMS announced Sunday, April 19, 2020, that nursing homes are now required to add two new reporting processes to their current infection control notification protocol:
- Direct Reporting to CDC:
COVID 19 cases are to be reported directly to the CDC in addition to the current local and state department notification processes. Facilities currently provide this information optionally.
The required reporting of this information will be utilized in surveying the spread of COVID-19 locally and nationally. Additionally, this information will aid in monitoring trends and guiding public policy.
- Transparency:
Notification to residents and their families and representatives of COVID-19 cases, with ongoing status updates, are now required.
Nursing homes are required to report to families and representatives within 12 hours of confirmation that a COVID-19 case is present. If three or more residents present novel respiratory symptoms, the reporting window is 72 hours. Failure to following these new reporting requirements may result in enforcement action from CMS against the facility.
CDC will be providing a reporting tool to assist in adhering to new reporting guidelines. CDC will provide specific direction to nursing homes regarding the formatting of reports.
Advis remains committed to monitoring all updates from CMS. For any questions regarding new guidelines for nursing homes, or any COVID-19 related questions, please contact any of our COVID-19 task force members.
Published: April 20, 2020