DOH Clarifies Aspects of New Infection Prevention Audits
The Department of Health (DOH) hosted a webinar on Dec. 13th to provide additional information about the annual nursing home infection prevention audit surveys. The webinar responded to several of the concerns and questions raised by LeadingAge NY, but left many unanswered. A recording of the webinar is available here, and the survey tool is available here.
Specifically, DOH staff provided the following information:
- The audit surveys will be due on an annual basis beginning in January 2024, but each nursing home will be notified of its individualized deadline to submit its survey.
- Facilities should bookmark the link to the survey tool so that it is readily accessible.
- Where the survey requests COVID and general infection control staffing and cohorting plans, or COVID and general infection control staffing teams, facilities may submit integrated plans or team lists, if the plans and team lists are maintained in an integrated manner.
- If there is no outbreak in the facility when it is asked to complete the survey, the facility should indicate the absence of an outbreak and provide a list of staff titles that would have direct resident contact in the event of an outbreak.
- In response to questions about signage and dedicated space, if there is no outbreak in the facility, the facility should provide photos or copies of signs that would be used and a unit or room that can be enclosed in the event of an outbreak.
- Video evidence is optional.
DOH will be posting Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), and members are encouraged to submit questions here. LeadingAge NY will be submitting additional questions.
More information about the audits is available here.
Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org