CMS Update on Reform of Requirements for LTC Facilities
Here is an update on the CMS proposed reform to nursing home regulations that was in discussion late 2015 and 2016. Thank you to Alisa Tagg, NAAP President for this update:
Many of you may recall in August of 2015, NAAP held a special “Hot Topic” webinar about the Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed reform to nursing home regulations. On September 28, 2016 CMS issued the final rule for these changes to the nursing home regulation. The entire final rule can be found by clicking on the link below.
A summary of the changes finalized in this rule include:
- Strengthening the rights of long-term care facility residents, including prohibiting the use of pre-dispute binding arbitration agreements
- Ensuring that long-term care facility staff members are properly trained on caring for residents with dementia and in preventing elder abuse
- Ensuring that long-term care facilities take into consideration the health of residents when making decisions on the kinds and levels of staffing a facility needs to properly take care of its residents
- Ensuring that staff members have the right skill sets and competencies to provide person-centered care to residents
- Improving care planning, including discharge planning for all residents with involvement of the facility’s interdisciplinary team and consideration of the caregiver’s capacity, giving residents information they need for follow-up after discharge, and ensuring that instructions are transmitted to any receiving facilities or services
- Allowing dietitians and therapy providers the authority to write orders in their areas of expertise when a physician delegates the responsibility and state licensing laws allow
- Updating the long-term care facility’s infection prevention and control program, including requiring an infection prevention and control officer and an antibiotic stewardship program that includes antibiotic use protocols and a system to monitor antibiotic use
The first phase of these changes will begin on November 28, 2016 with additional phases occurring over the next few years.
The main change for Activity Professionals to be aware of is that the Quality of Life focus will be combined into Quality of Care. CMS believes that all interaction with the resident should be inclusive of quality of care. Also the proposes for Activity Professionals qualifications were dropped and there are no changes to F249.
CMS cites: “This final rule will revise the requirements that Long-Term Care facilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These changes are necessary to reflect the substantial advances that have been made over the past several years in the theory and practice of service delivery and safety. These revisions are also an integral part of our efforts to achieve broad-based improvements both in the quality of health care furnished through federal programs, and in patient safety, while at the same time reducing procedural burdens on providers.”
Alisa Tagg, BA ACC/EDU AC-BC CADDCT CDP
National Association of Activity Professionals, President