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CMS NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: CMS Media Relations CMS
Urging Nursing Homes to Follow Established COVID Guidelines This Holiday
Season Today, in advance of the approaching holiday season, the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is urging nursing home staff,
residents and visitors to follow established guidelines for visitation and
adherence to the core principles of infection prevention. These guidelines
include remaining six feet apart from individuals, wearing a face covering,
and limiting the number of visitors in the nursing home at any one time.
Adherence to these principles is critical in preventing the spread of the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in America’s nursing homes. While the
holiday season is typically a time for family and friends to gather, CMS
implores staff, residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution this
year. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, progress on a vaccine
is proceeding at a pace worthy of the name Operation Warp Speed.
Nevertheless, the approaching holiday season remains fraught with danger for
the vulnerable residents of America’s nursing homes,” said Administrator
Seema Verma. “They have already endured loss and loneliness to a degree that
would have been unthinkable before this year began, but they and their
families – along with facilities themselves – must not let their guard down
over the holiday season, especially with a safe and effective vaccine so
close to reality.” The agency understands the emotional and mental health impact
that separation from loved ones during the pandemic has caused. In September,
CMS provided guidance for how residents can
safely receive visitors in the nursing home. With the holiday season
approaching, residents will want to spend more time with their loved ones, and
CMS is recommending that facilities find innovative ways of recognizing the
holidays without having parties or gatherings that could increase the risk of
COVID-19 transmission (e.g., virtual parties or visits). CMS also acknowledges that some residents may want to leave the
nursing home temporarily to visit with family and friends for the holidays,
or for other outings. A resident has the right to leave the nursing
home, and CMS urges that extra precautions be taken to help reduce the spread
of COVID-19, which poses an elevated danger to the health of nursing home
residents. Nursing homes should double down on infection control and
adhere to testing requirements. Extra precautions taken now will help to ensure that our loved
ones stay healthy and safe for the short amount of time remaining until a
safe and effective vaccine becomes available. Leaving the nursing home
could increase a resident’s risk for exposure to COVID-19. The risk may be
further increased by factors such as a resident’s health status, the level of
COVID-19 in the community (e.g., cases or positivity rate), or attendance at
large gatherings. Residents are encouraged to discuss these and other risks
with their family and nursing home staff. Nursing homes should educate
residents and families of the risks of leaving the facility, the steps they
should take to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19, and encourage
residents can stay connected with loved ones through alternative means of
communication, such as phone and video communication. To view the alert, please visit: CMS’ current emergencies
page: https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/Emergency/EPRO/Current-Emergencies/Current-Emergencies-page or here: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-facility-holiday-recommendations.pdf ### |
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Wednesday, November 18, 2020
CMS NEWS: CMS Urging Nursing Homes to Follow Established COVID Guidelines This Holiday Season
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