Phase 2 Requirements: Speaker Highlights Key Elements; Legislators Ask for Delay

​The recently revised Appendix PP of the State Operations Manual "can be especially helpful when you're preparing for compliance with the new regulations," Phase 2 of which is due to take effect on November 28, 2017, said Josi Wergin, CPASRM, CPHRM, ELS, speaking October 12, 2017, at the National Aging Services Risk Management (NASRM) conference in Chicago. First addressing the new survey process, Wergin stated that the new methodology represents an attempt to streamline the computer-based process and pathways from the Quality Indicator Survey with the "resident-centered focus" of the traditional survey. She referred attendees to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) slide deck on the new survey process for detailed information. Next, Wergin reviewed important elements of the Phase 2 regulations, including those addressing certain written notices and contact information for advocacy organizations, reporting of reasonable suspicion of a crime, information that must be documented on transfer and discharge, baseline care plans, behavioral health services and dementia care, drug regimen review, PRN psychotropic medications, loss or damage of dentures, the quality assurance and performance improvement plan, antibiotic stewardship, and smoking policies.