Reminder: Hospitals that see COVID-19 surges should contact state survey agency, CMS regional offices about potential survey flexibilities

In evaluating whether to temporarily suspend survey activities if a hospital experiences a COVID-19 surge, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in June told AHA it will consider whether the hospital has notified the appropriate state public health agency and activated its emergency preparedness plan, and the proportion of hospital staff and resources dedicated to managing COVID-19 patients.

“Hospitals in these circumstances should notify their State Survey Agency as soon possible, who will then coordinate with their CMS Location to consider a short-term, hospital-specific survey suspension,” CMS said. To request that CMS delay their next survey, hospitals should follow the process for submitting a flexibility request.