Post PHE: Infection Control for Transmission-Based Precautions

CMS; Life Safety
 
Published:May 24, 2023
Hawley Hunt
As the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continue to roll back the Public Health Emergency (PHE) regulations related to COVID-19, some practices will remain, even after the PHE has ended. One of the remaining areas of focus is the need for facilities to continue to educate visitors on the risks of visiting and the precautions necessary when someone is on Transmission Based Precautions (TBP). According to updated Infection Prevention, Control, and Immunizations pathway located in the survey documents, released 5.12.2023, surveyors will be required to ensure visitors are informed of the risks and precautions prior to their visit. To remain compliant in this area, facilities should educate visitors on the following topics:

  1. During an infectious disease outbreak, while not recommended, residents who are on TBP can still receive visitors.
  2. Visitors should adhere to core principles of infection prevention including:  
    • ​Hand hygiene (use of alcohol-based hand rub is preferred). 
    • Face covering or mask (covering mouth and nose) in accordance with CDC guidance. 
  3. Visitors should be educated on and understand the risk of being exposed to an infectious disease if they enter the room of a resident on TBP. 
  4. Visitors should be educated on and understand what PPE is necessary, depending on the type of precautions used. 

Facilities should provide visual alerts to visitors regarding hand hygiene, proper cough etiquette, and visiting while sick.  Facilities should also have policies and procedures in place regarding face coverings and masks based on recommendations from the CDC, state, local health departments, and individual facility circumstances (including an outbreak and/or outbreak investigation at the facility).   

For questions, email regulatory@ahca.org​.