NFAC Meets

VHCA (5/2/2008)

Members of the Nursing Facility Advisory Committee (NFAC) met at the VHCA office on April 15th to discuss issues of mutual concern to long term care nursing facility providers.  Connie Kane, representing the Office of Licensure and Certification, announced that there are four surveyor vacancies.  As part of the discussion she recommended that providers review the following items to enhance their survey outcomes:

1. Appendix Q – State Operations Manual – Guidelines for Determining Immediate Jeopardy Read the Guidelines 

2. Citations of Past Non-compliance, Revised Guidance - The October 20, 2005 memorandum clarifies survey and certification actions related to citations of past non-compliance.  Read the Memo   

3. Independent but Associated Deficiencies - This CMS memorandum restates existing CMS policy in Appendix P regarding independent but linked deficiency citations.  Surveyors are guided to cite deficiencies in instances in which a deficient practice creates non-compliance with more than one regulation.  Each requirement should be cited.  Read more

 4. New Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide as Part of Appendix P, SOM Memo - The CMS memorandum to state agencies announces the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide that became effective June 1, 2006.  Read the Memo (please note that this a zipped file and may require unzip utility to view)

5. Revised Guidance for Nursing Homes: Accidents and Supervision - The July 6, 2007 memorandum announces the combining of F323 and F324 to create F323, effective August 6, 2007.  Read the Memo (please note that this a zipped file and may require unzip utility to view)

6. Use of Interpretive Guidance by Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities - In the January 18, 2008 memorandum to state agencies, CMS clarifies the use of the Interpretive Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities in reviewing for compliance with the regulatory requirements for nursing homes. Surveyors must cite all deficiencies based on a violation of statutory and/or regulatory requirements.  Read the Memo