CMS to Expand Surveys Focused on Staffing, MDS Coding

​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is going to expand the focused nursing home surveys it began in mid-2014 to be conducted nationwide in 2015, according to an October 31, 2014, memorandum to state survey agency directors. The 2014 surveys assessed Minimum Data Set (MDS) coding practices and their relationship to resident care in nursing homes in five states. Findings included inaccurate staging and documentation of pressure ulcers, lack of knowledge regarding the classification of antipsychotic drugs, and poor coding regarding restraint use. Deficiencies were identified and cited in 24 of the 25 surveys. Thus, the surveys will be expanded nationwide in 2015. In addition, the scope of some or all of the nationwide surveys will include assessment of staffing levels.