DOH to Begin On-Site Visits to Nursing Facilities That Have Treated Residents with C. Auris

Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant type of yeast that has cause severe illness in compromised residents. It has caused infections in the bloodstream, wounds, and ears and has also been isolated in respiratory and urine specimens.

The precise mode of transmission of Candida auris is not yet known. Knowledge continues to be gained from the outbreaks suggesting that it persists on contaminated environmental surfaces and/or in colonized/infected patients. Work continues to be done in this area.

LeadingAge NY was notified by the Department of Health (DOH) that it will begin on-site reviews focusing on the C. auris infection control processes of nursing homes primarily in Queens and Brooklyn. Any nursing homes outside of that area that have treated residents infected with C. auris may also have on-site reviews completed. Based on the information we received, the on-site reviews will be educational in nature.

Facilities that suspect a resident has C. auris should contact state and local public health authorities as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If you have any questions regarding the on-site focused reviews, please contact LeadingAge NY, and we will seek clarity from the Department.

For further information on C. auris, please refer to the DOH website or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website.

Contacts: Karen Puglisi, kpuglisi@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 145 and Sherrie Turano, sturano@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 107 or 518-859-1695