02/12/2026
Ohio Survey Trends and Enforcement Updates
CMS has updated its citation trend database, providing current survey data for Ohio. Review of Ohio health and life safety surveys completed in 2025 to date shows continued concentration in core compliance areas, with notable increases in select deficiencies. These trends are reviewed in greater detail during the monthly STAT call, along with updates on current survey experiences across the state.
Health survey data show infection prevention and control, accident hazards and supervision, and quality of care continue to be the most frequently cited areas. Other commonly cited deficiencies include food service sanitation, pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, activities of daily living support, medication storage and administration, environmental safety, and reporting of alleged violations.
Life Safety Code data continue to show frequent citations related to sprinkler and fire alarm system testing and maintenance, essential electrical systems, and fire drills, along with other recurring areas such as smoke barriers, cooking facilities, utilities, smoking regulations, and egress requirements. Recent survey data indicate an increase in citations specific to corridor and door compliance.
Citation patterns differ for stand-alone recertification surveys, with comprehensive care planning cited more frequently. Immediate Jeopardy citations most often involve accident hazards and supervision, abuse and neglect, quality of care, CPR, pressure ulcer treatment, and medication errors. Inappropriate discharges and bedrail deficiencies, which did not rise to the level of Immediate Jeopardy in 2024, have been cited at the Immediate Jeopardy level in 2025.
The federal government shutdown, system changes, and surveyor staffing challenges have contributed to delays in recertification surveys. Ohio currently reports 307 overdue nursing home surveys, with an average survey interval of 27.5 months, and 31 overdue residential care facility surveys, with an average interval of 16.5 months. Surveyor staffing has increased, with seven surveyors hired in February and additional hires anticipated in April. Despite turnover of 30 surveyors, ODH reported a 91.4 percent retention rate, bringing total surveyor staffing to 157 in December 2025, up from 126 surveyors two years ago.
ODH has clarified for LeadingAge Ohio that the CDC Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tool and the Ombudsman Notification of Discharge Summary form are not required. ODH also confirmed it has contracted with HSAG, the QIN-QIO for region 7, to support nursing homes with ICAR assessments on a voluntary basis. The Ohio Department of Aging Ombudsman’s office encourages use of the discharge summary form due to ongoing issues with incomplete information but noted that its use does not change or replace the required emergency transfer list each month.
