Greetings!

Today we're hosting our Friday afternoon member call on COVID-19 at 3:30 pm. VDH will be joining us to discuss the reopening guidance. The link to access the call series has not changed and is included below for your convenience.
 
This update also includes:
  • a reminder to check the QIES/CASPER reporting system to see if you have a 2567 related to your NHSN reporting;
  • information about a new memo on quality measures, Five Star and PBJ reporting; and
  • links to registration for our upcoming webinars.
 
We look forward to talking with everyone at 3:30 pm.

Sincerely,

April Payne, LNHA
Vice President of Quality Improvement | Director of VCAL
Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living 
VHCA-VCAL Member Call: COVID-19
June 26, 2020 | 3:30 pm
 
Register for the meeting:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting, including calendar notices for future calls.

Agenda
  1. Welcome and VHCA-VCAL Updates | Keith Hare | President and CEO
  2. Review of VDH Nursing Home Guidance for Phased Reopening | VDH
  3. Hot Topic Review | April Payne | Vice President of Quality Improvement and Director of VCAL

Please mute your line to improve the sound quality on the call. Zoom has a chat feature you can use to send questions or comments.
Check QUIES/CASPER for CMPs and 2567s Issued for
for Failure to Report NHSN COVID-19 Data

CMS has been issuing 2567s with F level citations for F884 with a $1,000 per instance civil monetary penalty (CMP) along with an esclating per instance CMP. These are being issued to all SNFs identified by CMS (from data transmitted by CDC) as not having submitted data or submitting incomplete or otherwise erroneous data to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN).

The notifications of deficiency and CMP are being sent via the CASPER/QIES reporting system (not the traditional method for notifying a facility with a deficiency). Thus, facilities must login to CASPER to see if they have a citation or not. Your MDS coordinator will know how to access this system if you need help.
 
CMS has said a facility can question the cited deficiency through the IIDR process by following the steps outlined in the notification letter. The agency will give consideration for facilities that have evidence showing they submitted the data or have been trying to register and submit data but are having trouble with CDC responding to their questions in a timely manner.
 
Steps to Take
  1. You should check CASPER to see if you have a citation. 
  2. If you have a citation that you believe is in error, then you should assemble the information needed to submit an IIDR. We recommend putting together at least the following: 
  • A summary table of dates they started the registration process and all dates of communications with CDC/NHSN 
  • Screen shots if you have documented your data submission (and begin taking screen shots or other verification evidence of each submission) 
  • Copies of emails sent and received from CDC/NHSN 
  • Any other documentation of efforts you made to register and submit data such as communications with the QIO or state
CMS Memo on Quality Measures,
Five Star, and PBJ Reporting
 
CMS has issued QSO 20-34-NH detailing changes to staffing information and quality measures posted on the Nursing Home Compare website and Five Star Quality Rating System due to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Per the memo, changes to the Nursing Home Compare website and Five Star Quality Rating System include:

Staffing Measures and Ratings Domain: On July 29, 2020, Staffing measures and star ratings will be held constant, and based on data submitted for calendar Quarter 4 in 2019.
  • Also, CMS is ending the waiver of the requirement for nursing homes to submit staffing data through the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) System. Nursing homes must submit data for calendar Quarter 2 by August 14, 2020.

Quality Measures: On July 29, 2020, quality measures based on a data collection period ending December 31, 2019 will be held constant.
Upcoming Events

Join us for our upcoming webinars offering NAB-approved continuing education. Follow the links for program descriptions and online registration.

July 14, 2020 | 2:00 pm

July 23, 2020 | 10:00 am
Quick Links
www.vhca.org | (804) 353-9101 | Calendar of Events