CMS Issues Survey Guidance for Quality of Care (F309) and Unnecessary Drugs (F329)

CMS launched its initiative, the Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes in March 2012.  The new guidance reaffirms the dementia care principles (i.e. person-centered care, quality and quantity of staff, and individualized approaches to care) previously espoused by CMS and also discusses the growing concern of the "quick fix" use of antipsychotics to address behavioral symptoms.  Changes to the survey include the review of the Quality Measures for residents who flag for antipsychotics as part of offsite preparation, identification of dementia residents at the entrance conference, and modification of the surevye sample, on the traditional survey, to more closely review the care provided to those residents with dementia.  In addition, CMS has provide a training video on the changes to the surveyor guidance.

Contact:  Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832