CMS Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes: Five Part Strategy

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a ​five-part approach to guide safety and quality work in America’s nursing homes. ​In a recent blog post, the CMS Administrator, Seema Verma, shared details of their work to ensure safety and quality in nursing homes. She also shared thoughts for moving forward including rethinking how CMS uses the network of Regional Offices and how to provide feedback to State Survey Agencies (SSAs) and state officials so that CMS can ensure rules are being enforced consistently around the country. Additionally, CMS is considering new ways to address SSA performance problems beyond financial penalties. Administrator Verma also shared information about the podcast, “CMS: Beyond the Policy” in which she sat down with Dr. Kate Goodrich, CMS Chief Medical Officer and Director of CMS’s Center for Clinical Standards and Quality, to discuss oversight efforts. Administrator​ Verma also stated that her next blog will share detail further details about the five-part nursing home approach.​