CMS issues call to action to healthcare providers aimed at limiting spread of COVID-19

Editor's Note

In a March 4 press release, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) called on all healthcare providers to make sure they are implementing infection control practices, which they are required to maintain at all times, in an effort to limit the spread of the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

CMS also issued guidance for inspections of facilities affected by COVID-19, including that state survey agencies and accrediting organizations focus their facility inspections exclusively on issues related to infection control and other serious health and safety threats.

In addition, the agency announced that it had deployed an infection prevention specialist to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s Atlanta headquarters to assist with real-time guidance development.