HHS Proposes Major Changes to Nursing Home Regulations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed major changes to the Conditions of Participation for nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid, states a July 13, 2015, press release from HHS. The proposed changes represent the first major revision of the regulations since 1991 and include provisions required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The changes relate to staff training in dementia care and elder abuse prevention, staffing that considers residents' health, person-centered care, care planning and care transitions, orders by dietitians and therapy providers (under physician delegation), more food choices for residents, requirements for an infection prevention and control officer and antibiotic stewardship, and strengthened rights for residents, including limits on the use of arbitration agreements (e.g., they must be voluntary and explained to residents).