DOH Announces New Infection Control Annual Audit
The Department of Health (DOH) announced in a Dear Administrator Letter (DAL) last week that it will be initiating annual infection control audits using a "Drupal-based" online survey. Facilities will be required to submit the survey on an annual basis. Although the DAL is "[e]ffective January 1, 2024," it is unclear when the survey is due. The Department will be holding a webinar on Dec. 13th at 10 a.m. to provide additional information. Registration is available here. The survey tool is accessible here.
The audit originates with legislation enacted in 2022 requiring annual audits of nursing home infection control core competencies based on a checklist. LeadingAge NY has raised concerns with DOH staff regarding the implementation of the legislation through an audit tool which far exceeds a checklist. The concerns include the extensive documentary evidence required by the survey tool, the flawed assumptions concerning current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) guidance on cohorting and staffing that appear to underlie some of the survey requirements, and the lack of clarity of many of the survey elements. The association has also reiterated to the Department that facilities are under stress due to staffing shortages and that voluminous administrative reporting requirements divert staff from important resident care responsibilities.
LeadingAge NY will keep members apprised of any developments in relation to the survey tool.
Contact: Karen Lipson, klipson@leadingageny.org