In 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its life safety and emergency preparedness regulations to improve protections for all Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, including those residing in long-term-care facilities (commonly referred to as nursing homes). Updates included requirements that nursing homes have expanded sprinkler systems and smoke detector coverage; an emergency preparedness plan that is reviewed, trained on, tested, and updated at least annually; and provisions for sheltering in place and evacuation.
Open Recommendations
Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
268383 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
We recommend that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services follow up with the 20 nursing homes to ensure that corrective actions have been taken regarding the life safety and emergency preparedness deficiencies identified in this report. | |||||
268384 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
We recommend that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services work with CMS to develop standardized life safety training for nursing home staff. | |||||
268385 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
We recommend that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conduct more frequent surveys at nursing homes that have a history of multiple high-risk deficiencies and follow up to ensure that corrective actions have been taken. | |||||
268386 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
We recommend that the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services expand training of nursing home staffs with specific attention to the updating of emergency preparedness plan templates to address facility-specific preparations. |