Attn: Federally Certified Acute and Continuing Care Providers and Suppliers
CMS Issues QSO-21-08-NLTC Revised: COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey Tool for Acute and Continuing Care Providers and Suppliers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued QSO-21-08-NLTC REVISED (pdf) 02/04/2022, providing guidance regarding the COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey Tool and visitation restrictions.
Memorandum Summary
COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey Tool: CMS developed the focused infection control (FIC) survey and tool at the beginning of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) to help surveyors and facilities absorb the critical infection prevention and control practices for combating COVID-19. Based on stakeholder feedback and survey activity, we believe Acute and Continuing Care (ACC) facilities have incorporated COVID-19 management strategies into their infrastructure and operations and there is no longer a need to continue the required use of the special FIC survey and tool on a national basis.
Surveyors will continue to evaluate infection prevention and control elements related to COVID-19 through the existing survey process, while incorporating lessons learned about infection control oversight during the PHE. State Survey Agencies (SAs) & Accrediting Organizations (AOs) may continue to use the targeted FIC survey, on a case by case basis, if warranted.
Visitation Restrictions
We recognize that requirements for entering healthcare facilities, such as visitation restrictions, were used to mitigate the introduction of COVID-19 into facilities. At this time, continued federal guidance regarding visitation restrictions for ACC facilities are no longer necessary. Facilities should continue to adhere to basic COVID-19 infection prevention principles consistent with national standards of practice.
Questions
Questions regarding this information may be submitted to: QSOG_EmergencyPrep@cms.hhs.gov.
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