To better align with these updated CDC recommendations, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also announced the expiration of
QSO-20-38-NH (COVID-19 Testing) effective May 11 and the revision of
QSO-20-39-NH (Visitation) effective May 8. Key changes from CDC and CMS include:
- Admission testing is now at the discretion of the facility. Testing for COVID-19 should be conducted by following accepted national standards, such as CDC recommendations. Non-compliance related to COVID-19 testing will be cited at F-tag 880, and F-tag 886 will no longer be in effect.
- Source control is recommended:
- For individuals who have suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or other respiratory infection.
- For those individuals who had close contact (patients and visitors) or a higher-risk exposure (HCP) with someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection, for 10 days after their exposure.
- CDC also addresses broader use of source control as described in CDC’s Core IPC Practices in circumstances including outbreak, facility-wide or based on facility risk assessment and as recommended by public health authorities (e.g., guidance for the community when COVID-19 hospital admission levels are high).
CMS revisions to QSO-20-39 (Nursing Home Visitation) provided additional information that during an outbreak investigation, visitation is recommended to occur in the resident’s room, and visitors are recommended to wear well-fitting source control (if tolerated) and physically distance if able. Visitors are encouraged to stay up to date on their vaccinations.
Consistent with CDC, CMS also noted that facilities should ensure proper visual alerts for visitors to understand infection prevention and control (IPC) best practices and what source control is recommended in the facility, at any time. Signage can be obtained from the
CDC website.