April 15, 2013
ADSA: NH #2013-004
S&C 13-13: NEW DINING STANDARDS OF PRACTICE RESOURCES
Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:
The purpose of this letter is to let you know that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a survey and certification (S&C) letter about an interdisciplinary task force that has developed new dining practice standards and recommendations for NH residents. This information is available online - either in a final publication or in a new training video from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). While the new practice standards do not represent CMS requirements, CMS has still asked that the Department to share this information with nursing homes.
Highlights of the recent guidance:
- Recommendation to clinicians and prescribers that a regular diet become the default with only a small number of individuals needing restrictions.
- Introduction of 10 categories of changes via CMS training video including the individualization of care and careful monitoring after a diet change as essential elements of any care plan.
To read the details of the memorandum online, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Provider-Enrollment-and-Certification/SurveyCertificationGenInfo/Downloads/Survey-and-Cert-Letter-13-13.pdf
Please be aware of the following information:
- The Quality Indicator Survey process has not changed; and
- CMS has directed that surveyors will not be citing a facility if they are not following the new, recommended practices; instead, as usual, they will cite a facility for deficiencies if the facility has not met established state and/or federal requirements.
Please contact your local RCS Field Manager if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Joyce Pashley Stockwell, Director
Residential Care Services