CMS Issues Two Survey & Certification Memos Related to LTC

On July 17, 2015 CMS issued one new Survey & Certification memo and updated a previously released memo.

• CMS S&C 15-47 -  Medication-Related Adverse Events in Nursing Homes
CMS states that adverse events related to high risk medications can have devastating effects on nursing home residents, and is concerned with the prevalence of adverse drug events.  CMS has begun pilot testing a Focused Survey on Medication Safety Systems to look at nursing home systems around high risk and problem-prone medications using an Adverse Drug Event Trigger Tool.  The CMS is making the draft tool available to assist surveyors in investigating medication related adverse events and to nursing home providers as a risk management tool. Click here to access the memo and an attachment.

• CMS S&C 14-42  - Release of Learning Tool on Building Respect for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Older Adults (NH – Original version released 8/22/14; Revised version released 7/17/15)
The original memo announced the release of a free learning tool on Building Respect for LGBT Older Adults. The revised memo  updates the Training Tool website link. Click here to see the revised memo.