On June 18, 2024 CMS released the revised guidance for the Long-term Care Facility Assessment regulation (QSO-24-13-NH), as part of the federal staffing mandate. The revision to the facility assessment regulation at F838 takes effect and must be implemented by August 8, 2024. The revised guidance notes that surveyors should determine whether a facility assessment contains the required components under the regulation and are instructed not to evaluate the quality of the assessment.
Areas added to the guidance to determine compliance include but are not limited to the following:
The facility assessment:
- evaluates of the resident population, and its needs (e.g., acuity) based on evidence-based, data driven methods.
- reflects the population.
- addresses the facility’s resident capacity.
- includes information on the staffing level(s) needed for specific shifts, such as day, evening, and night and adjusted as necessary based on changes to resident population.
- addresses what skills and competencies are required by those providing care.
- includes input from the individuals stated in the regulation (483.71(b))
- indicates what resources, including but not limited to, equipment, supplies, services, personnel, health information technology, and physical environment are required to meet all resident needs.
- has a plan for maximizing recruitment and retention of direct care staff.
- includes a contingency plan that is informed by the facility assessment.
AHCA will be releasing revised tools and resources for facilities to use to comply with the revised requirement. Mass Senior Care will notify members when these tools and resources are available.