CMS Strengthens Enforcement Against Infection Control Deficiencies in Nursing Homes

As part of the president’s initiative to improve the safety and quality of care in the nation’s nursing homes, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has further strengthened its enhanced enforcement policy for infection control deficiencies (QSO-20-31-ALL) with revisions focusing on deficiencies that rise to severe and actual harm levels. This refocused enforcement will increase civil monetary penalties, shorten notice for discretionary denial of payment for new admissions, and require the directed plans of correction to include hiring an external infection control consultant or working with the Quality Improvement Organization.