05/19/2022

Survey Tip of the Week: COVID-19 Immediate Jeopardies

Infection Control F-tag 880 is the top cited immediate jeopardy in 2022 in Ohio. The most common infection control citations involve facilities failing to implement standard infection control practices outlined in the facility policy and as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Citations include failing to cohort residents, leaving roommates not testing positive in the same room as the roommate that tests positive, and not wearing appropriate PPE.

Ohio has seen an increase in community transmission levels with 76 counties designated as substantial to high community transmission levels. Facilities should review their COVID-19 policies to ensure they align with the CDC guidance as outlined in the Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic guidance and Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Spread in Nursing Home guidance.

A facility needs to work with the local health department any time a situation arises that results in the facility considering practices outside of the CDC recommendations. These situations could involve isolated positive cases and staffing concerns with placing them in the original facility designated isolation unit or when outbreaks occur in memory care units. The facility would need to get approval from the local health department to implement alternative strategies. The Ohio Department of Health has confirmed that they would defer to the local health departments recommendation.

LeadingAge Ohio encourages facilities to utilize the LTC Survey Pathways to monitor for compliance. The survey pathways can be found on the CMS Nursing Home webpage, under the download section, and within the zip file called LTC Survey Pathways.

For more information about the citations occurring in Ohio, please join us on the monthly STAT: Survey Tips and Tactics call. Register now for the June 8 call at 10:00AM.

LeadingAge Ohio is sharing tips to assist members during the survey process. Send questions you would like addressed in future Tips of the Week to Stephanie DeWees at sdewees@leadingageohio.org.