CMS Releases Sample Facility Assessment Tool to Help with Phase 2 Compliance

​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a downloadable assessment tool for nursing facilities to use for satisfying Phase 2 requirements included in CMS's recently updated regulations. The regulation states that nursing facilities must “conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for its residents competently during both day-to-day operations and emergencies. " The facility assessment must be reviewed and updated at least annually. The facility assessment tool is organized into three parts. The first is to assess resident profiles (number of residents, diseases and conditions, physical and cognitive disabilities, acuity, and ethnic, cultural, and religious factors that impact care). Then assess the services and care currently offered. Finally, evaluate facility resources needed to provide “competent care," such as staffing levels, training and education, environmental needs, and health information technology systems.