CMS announces new actions regarding nursing home infection control

Jun 02, 2020 - 02:48 PM
CMS logo

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services yesterday implemented several new infection control actions to combat COVID-19 in nursing homes. One action addresses the inconsistent rate of nursing home inspections mandated by CMS on March 4, which currently range from 11% to 100% across the states.

State survey agencies that fail to inspect all nursing homes by July 31 will be required to submit a corrective action plan or have their federal funds under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act redistributed to compliant states.

Another action expands penalties for nursing home deficiencies, which range from directed plans of correction to civil monetary penalties, with more significant actions for nursing homes with a history of past deficiencies or that cause actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.

 

The agency also is deploying additional technical assistance resources to nursing homes, which will focus on the approximately 3,000 low-performing nursing homes with a history of infection control challenges. 

Related News Articles

Headline
Two people die from measles in Pennsylvania
Two individuals in Pennsylvania have died from measles, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Aug. 25. They are the first deaths from the disease in…
Headline
HHS seeks feedback on immunization categories in executive order on childhood vaccine schedule
The Department of Health of Human Services Aug. 21 issued a request for information seeking feedback on immunization categories within the Aug. 10 executive…
Headline
CDC reports increase in kindergarten vaccine exemptions
For the 2025-2026 school year, exemptions from one or more vaccines among U.S. kindergartners was at 4.2%, increasing from 3.6% for the previous school year,…
Headline
President signs executive order to change childhood vaccine schedule
President Trump signed an executive order Aug. 10 revamping the federal government’s recommended childhood vaccine schedule. The order divides immunizations…
Headline
Study finds COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses 
A study published Aug. 5 by Nature found that COVID-19 infection can reactivate dormant, chronic viruses such as Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus. The study…
Headline
FDA approves first mRNA-based flu vaccine 
The Food and Drug Administration Aug. 5 approved the first mRNA-based flu vaccine, called mFlusiva. The vaccine is manufactured by Moderna and was approved for…