March 17, 2020
On March 13, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Quality, Safety & Oversight memorandum (the “Memorandum”) addressing guidelines for Infection Control and Prevention of Coronavirus Disease in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. CMS’s prior update to this Memorandum occurred on March 9, 2020 (see our earlier advisory here). The revised Memorandum directs that nursing homes restrict visitation of all visitors and non-essential staff except in certain compassionate care situations (e.g., end-of-life situations). All other visitation should be deferred until further notice, and various communication methods should be established to communicate to staff and residents about the visitation restrictions (e.g., signage and phone calls). The Memorandum further directs that nursing homes cancel all communal dining and group activities and remind residents to practice social distancing and regular hand hygiene. A copy of the Memorandum, which includes additional guidance and directives, is available here.
If you have any questions regarding further details included in the Memorandum or any of the information above, please contact a member of Hancock Daniel’s Long-Term Care & Post-Acute Care team.
Click here for a full PDF of this advisory.
The information contained in this advisory is for general educational purposes only. It is presented with the understanding that neither the author nor Hancock, Daniel & Johnson PC, is offering any legal or other professional services. Since the law in many areas is complex and can change rapidly, this information may not apply to a given factual situation and can become outdated. Individuals desiring legal advice should consult legal counsel for up-to-date and fact-specific advice. Under no circumstances will the author or Hancock, Daniel & Johnson PC be liable for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from the use of this material.
