CDC and CMS update COVID-19 guidance
On May 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Interim Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel (HCP) During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic. As previously announced, the CDC is discontinuing the COVID-19 Community Transmission map with the end of the public health emergency (PHE) on May 11.
To better align with these updated CDC recommendations, 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 ten 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 IPC best practices and what source control is recommended in the facility, at any time. Signage can be obtained from the CDC website.
For any questions, email [email protected].
Updated IHCA Clinical Guidance now available
IHCA’s Member Clinical Guidance Summary has been updated to reflect the newly-released guidance set forth by CDC and CMS. Click here to view the IHCA Member Clinical Guidance Summary. For questions, contact Brenda Irlbeck, VP, Quality Improvement and Regulatory Affairs, at 515-978-2204.