On September 12, 2022 the DPH released updated guidance on Admission of Residents on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) to Long-Term Care Facilities.

As Mass Senior Care continues to promote Sepsis Awareness Month, we encourage members to utilize the resources below which can be used to educate staff about the signs and symptoms of sepsis.

CMS recently issued a letter to all nursing homes and debt collectors regarding debt collection practices. The focus behind the letter is to draw attention to the prohibited practice outlined in the Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) of nursing facilities requesting or requiring that a third party personally guarantee payment to the facility as a condition of a resident’s admission or continued stay in the facility.

Make sure to mark your calendar now for two important MDS programs in January 2023. We are offering sessions on Understanding the Changes to the MDS and Operationalizing the Changes to the MDS.

DPH clarified that the Department’s definition for up to date (UTD) for COVID-19 vaccine/boosters in LTC facilities aligns with the CDC.

The NHSN announced updates and modifications being released for the long term care facility component of NHSN. The changes will take effect after the September 2022 NHSN release.

Register now for the September 20th Virtual Annual Life Safety Code Workshop.

The Long Term Care Survey manual, Phase 3 is now available to pre-order from AHCA for September delivery. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin enforcing new Phase 3 Requirements of Participation (ROP) on October 24, 2022.

On 6/29/2022, CMS released QSO-22-19-NH Revised Long-Term Care Surveyor Guidance: Revisions to Surveyor Guidance for Phases 2 & 3, Arbitration Agreement Requirements, Investigating Complaints & Facility Reported Incidents, and the Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guide.