Complete Story
03/04/2020
Survey Tip of the Week: Infection Preventionist
Facilities are to designate one or more individuals responsible for the infection prevention and control program as infection preventionist.
This individual must: have primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology or related field; be qualified by education, training, experience or certification; work at least part time at the facility; and have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have clarified that the Infection Preventionist can be the Director of Nursing. Members should utilize the Infection Prevention Control & Immunizations Pathway to audit infection control practices. The survey pathways can be found on the CMS Nursing Home webpage, under the download section, and within the zip file called LTC Survey Pathways.
For more information about the citations occurring in Ohio, please join us on Wednesday, March 11 for the In the Know call.
As the long-term care survey process continues, LeadingAge Ohio is sharing tips each week to assist members during the survey process. Send questions you’d like addressed in future Tips of the Week to Stephanie DeWees at sdewees@leadingageohio.org.
Please join us for the monthly In The Know Long Term Care Survey Process call which occurs on the second Wednesday of every month at 1pm. LeadingAge Ohio members are also invited to join a 30-minute bi-weekly “Tuesday Stand-Up” call offered by LeadingAge Maryland.