NACCHO Comments on CMS Proposed Rule for Long-Term Care Facilities

Nov 09, 2015 | Sara Chang

On July 16, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) invited the public to comment on a proposed rule reforming requirements for long-term care facilities participating in CMS programs. The proposed rule is intended to update requirements–which have not been comprehensively updated since 1991–to reflect industry advancements, improve the quality and safety of healthcare provided by federal programs, and reduce procedural burdens on providers.

The proposed changes address a variety of topics, including placing long-term care facility residents and their representatives at the center of care, shifting expectations to a competency-based approach to allow for flexibility in implementation of the requirements among facilities, and aligning standards with current health and safety knowledge. The rule places particular emphasis on antibiotics due to their widespread use in long-term care facilities given increasing national and international concern about antibiotic resistance. An estimated 40-75% of antibiotics prescribed in nursing homes may be unnecessary or inappropriate, making it a crucial topic to address in the proposed rule.

NACCHO, emphasizing the critical role of local health departments in preventing and controlling infections that emerge in community and healthcare settings like long-term care facilities, submitted a letter to CMS to provide comments and recommendations on how CMS can foster successful implementation of these reforms.

NACCHO supports the proposed rule’s focus on antibiotic resistance as it represents a growing threat to the health of the public and a significant challenge to the healthcare system. With the growing understanding that coordination between facilities will have greater impact on preventing antibiotic resistance than independent, individual facility efforts alone, it is important to recognize the need for and value of actively including and supporting local health departments and other stakeholders in antibiotic stewardship efforts. Local health departments play a leading role in the preparedness for, investigation of, and response to outbreaks, including those due to antibiotic-resistant organisms, making them crucial partners in efforts to address antibiotic resistance.

Another important consideration of the CMS proposed rule is the support needed to comply with and expedite implementation of the reforms. Long-term care facilities will need adequate funding, staffing, expertise, training, and support to develop protocols and monitoring systems for the use of antibiotics, improve infection prevention and control, and address other reforms in the proposed rule. Local health departments’ experience and expertise in addressing antibiotic resistance and promoting antibiotic stewardship makes them essential partners in these efforts.

NACCHO is committed to antibiotic stewardship and supporting local health departments’ work in addressing antibiotic resistance and promoting antibiotic stewardship. Learn more about the following:


About Sara Chang

More posts by Sara Chang

Related Posts

Ps24 posters d3 web

Day Three Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day three of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 27, 2024

Day Three Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

D2 highlights web

Day Two Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day two of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 26, 2024

Day Two Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

I Stock 1182682774
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Behavioral Health
  • Community Health
  • Injury and Violence Prevention

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACCHO is...

Mar 26, 2024 | Camille Adams

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

PS24 1

Day One Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day one of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 25, 2024

Day One Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

PS24 web
  • Tools & Resources
  • Training

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit!

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 25, 2024 | Beth Hess

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit!

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

You’re invited to join the call on April 2 to hear more.

Mar 25, 2024

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

Cover and Spine for MAPP 2 0 Handbook Copy Page 1
  • Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
  • Performance Improvement
  • Workforce Development

Register to Attend a Mobilizing for Action through...

Registration is now open for NACCHO’s in-person Mobilizing for Action through...

Mar 23, 2024 | Andrea Grenadier

Register to Attend a Mobilizing for Action through...

Capitol bulding

Congress Releases Labor-HHS Bill in Final FY2024 Package

Early on March 21st, Congress released the final minibus package for Fiscal...

Mar 22, 2024 | Victoria Van de Vate

Congress Releases Labor-HHS Bill in Final FY2024 Package

Website New Episode w Special Guests
  • Press Release

National Association of County and City Health...

Local Public Health on the Hill Recap and Local Health Department Addresses the...

Mar 22, 2024

National Association of County and City Health...

Back to Top