Pasteurized Eggs Only – CMS Releases Guidance Concerning Preparation of Eggs

On May 20, 2014 CMS released S&C 14-34-NH (click here) that provides guidance to state survey agencies concerning the serving of pasteurized and unpasteurized eggs.  A nursing center that uses and serves unpasteurized eggs must ensure the eggs are fully cooked until both the yolk and white are completely firm.  If a nursing center uses pasteurized eggs, they may serve them as “soft-cooked”, “soft-scrambled”, or :sunny-side up”.

The use of signed agreements between the nursing center and a resident/patient (or the resident’s/patient’s legal representative) releasing the nursing center of liability if the patient/resident becomes ill due to eating unpasteurized eggs prepared by the nursing center that are  not cooked until the yolk and white are completely firm are not permitted.  This guidance is effective immediately.