ARTICLE
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published a memo that revises their Focused Infection Control (FIC) survey tool in an effort to return to the existing standard survey process. The announcement recognizes that providers have effectively incorporated infection prevention and control practices into their policies and practices, removing the necessity for the FIC tool nationally. Along with this move back to standart surveying, CMS also lifted visitation restrictions, recognizing that these policies have taken a "physical and emotional toll on patients." This modification does not override states' ability to be more prescriptive with visitation and other infection control policies, and it specifically notes that it can be reversed if COVID-19 rates increase in the future. Please see the revised CMS Memo.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published a memo that revises their Focused Infection Control (FIC) survey tool in an effort to return to the existing standard survey process.
The announcement recognizes that providers have effectively incorporated infection prevention and control practices into their policies and practices, removing the necessity for the FIC tool nationally. Along with this move back to standart surveying, CMS also lifted visitation restrictions, recognizing that these policies have taken a "physical and emotional toll on patients."
This modification does not override states' ability to be more prescriptive with visitation and other infection control policies, and it specifically notes that it can be reversed if COVID-19 rates increase in the future.
Please see the revised CMS Memo.