APIC Statement: HHS Inspector General Raises Concern About Infection Prevention and Control in For Profit Nursing Homes

Arlington, Va., August 21, 2024 - On the heels of previous reports calling for nursing homes to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic to improve compliance with infection prevention and control requirements and staffing in nursing homes, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a new report estimating that, "2,568 for-profit nursing homes nationwide (approximately 1 in 4) may not have complied with Federal requirements pertaining to infection preventionists during our audit period," resulting in potential health and safety risks for residents and staff of the homes.

APIC supports the report's call for CMS to take the two steps recommended in the report:

1) Follow up with specific nursing homes who may not be compliant with Federal requirements and ensure that they take corrective actions.

2) Instruct state survey agencies to focus on whether nursing homes have designated an IP who has specialized training before taking the job.

However, APIC President Tania Bubb feels like this doesn't go far enough. "With current laws that don't require dedicated infection preventionists in nursing homes and don't require routine surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, we are in the dark on what the overall rates of infection are in these facilities."

Bubb emphasized the importance of having a dedicated IP, rather than a designated IP, at each nursing home. "Without someone dedicated to the job of infection prevention, the job remains 'other duties as assigned' for existing overburdened nursing home staff who are designated to do this job in addition to their other work."

While APIC appreciates the focus on infection prevention and control in the report, we fear these corrections will still leave us with the status quo unless we take the following actions:

Full HHS Inspector General Report

About APIC

Founded in 1972, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) is the leading association for infection preventionists and epidemiologists. With more than 15,000 members, APIC advances the science and practice of infection prevention and control. APIC carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and patient safety; education, credentialing, and certification; and fostering development of the infection prevention and control workforce of the future. Together with our members and partners, we are working toward a safer world through the prevention of infection. Join us and learn more at apic.org.

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Media contacts: Aaron Cohen, [email protected], 301-633-6773; Liz Garman, [email protected], 202-454-2604

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