CMS is revising the COVID-19 focused infection control (FIC) survey tool for acute and continuing care to help ensure an effective assessment of a provider’s or supplier’s implementation of the appropriate infection prevention standards, according to a memo released December 30.
 
In agreement with QSO-20-35-All (dated August 17, 2020) related to the revised survey prioritization, during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), surveyors should “continue to utilize the COVID-19 FIC survey tool for acute and continuing care as part of any survey that is conducted,” according to CMS.
 
Health care facilities should have a screening process for visitors and staff for signs and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and additionally, for exposure to others with known or suspected COVID-19, according to the CMS memo. Visitors also should be instructed to frequently perform hand hygiene and limit their interactions with others in the facility.
 
Beyond hand washing, the update to the tool includes a specific reference to staff following “appropriate hand hygiene practices.”
 
For more information on the COVID-19 focused infection control survey tool, visit: https://go.cms.gov/3otN9pJ.