As discussed in our previous blog post, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented new communicable disease reporting requirements. Effective May 1, 2020, CMS released the interim final rule, outlining additional reporting requirements.
The additional reporting requirements include the following:
- Suspected and confirmed COVID-19 infections
- Total deaths
- COVID-19-related deaths
- PPE and hand hygiene supplies
- Ventilator capacity and supplies
- Resident beds and census
- Access to testing
- Staffing shortages information
The CDC also introduced the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), a module to streamline reporting while ensuring appropriate tracking, response and mitigation of COVID-19 infection among nursing homes residents and staff. Guidance for navigating the module can be found here.
According to Federal regulators, nursing homes will face weekly fines of $1,000. We will continue to follow developments closely to assess the CDC’s imposition of fines and other actions in response to non-compliance with the new requirements.
If you have questions or concerns about this guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out.
