Updated Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Health Care Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic
Background
On September 23, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated their infection control guidance for the health care setting surrounding face coverings and testing.
The purpose of this technical bulletin is to supply state-licensed health care facilities, including those that are CMS- certified, with access to the updated CDC and CMS guidance.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-Certified Health Care Facilities
Facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, hospice, home health agencies and other facilities that are CMS-certified must continue to follow CMS infection control and prevention regulatory requirements, including the requirement to adhere to nationally recognized infection prevention and control guidelines, as indicated. The applicable nationally recognized infection prevention and control guidelines would be those applicable to the facility setting. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) | CDC would be an acceptable guideline for facilities to follow.
In addition, facilities should be aware of the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), standards for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep employees working in health care facilities, including those working with communicable diseases, safe.
Federal Visitation Guidelines
CMS-certified facilities are required to follow CMS federal regulations regarding patient/resident rights regarding visitation. CMS guidance on visitation for acute and continuing care providers and suppliers can be found in QSO-21-08- NLTC.
CMS guidance on visitation and face coverings for nursing homes can be found in QSO20-39-NH.
State-Licensed Facilities
State-licensed facilities are required to follow all applicable state laws and regulations regarding infection control and prevention and regulations related to patient/resident safety, including the use of masks and respirators where indicated. Each facility is responsible for understanding the laws and regulations that apply to them.
See updated CDC guidance: Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) | CDC.
State Visitation Guidelines
NRS 449A.106(9) notes that every patient of a medical facility or facility for the dependent has the right to receive, within reasonable restrictions as to time and place, visitors of the patient’s choosing, including (without limitation) friends and members of the patient’s family.
Visitations in all facility types should follow the core principles of COVID-19 infection prevention to reduce the risk of COVID-19 and protect residents/patients and staff, including but not limited to, the use of masks, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing and appropriate staff use of PPE.
Information on infection control practices in these settings can be found at the following links:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html
https://www.cms.gov/medicareprovider-enrollment-and-certificationsurveycertificationgeninfopolicy-and-memos- states-and/guidance-infection-control-and-prevention-concerningcoronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-home-health
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-439.html#NRS439Sec860
Questions
For updated guidance, review the DPBH Technical Bulletin web page and the Nevada Health Response website regularly. If you have other questions regarding this technical bulletin please contact:
- Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance
- Las Vegas: 702-486-6515
- Carson City: 775-684-1030
- Office of Public Health Investigations and Epidemiology
- Email COVID-19 questions to outbreak@health.nv.gov