On June 12, 2009, Appendix PP, pertaining to nursing facilities, was revised with regard to F-tags 172, 175, 241, 242, 246, 247, 252, 255, 256, 371, 461 and 463. Here is a copy of the CMS Transmittal detailing the changes: Transmittal 48
James M. Berklan, editor of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News says the following about the changes:
Uncle Sam has put in his order for a heaping dose of resident choice and flexibility. Here’s hoping you have your order pad and pencil at the ready, Mr. and Mrs. Long-Term Care Provider. There’s no way you are going to last at this job without them.
and,
Even though the regulations technically have not changed, the prism through which surveyors will judge you has. Eleven F-tags, covering all-encompassing areas such as visitors, roommates, sleeping, eating, dressing and many more, are in play here.
As Berklan notes, surveyors will be doing a lot of resident and family member interviews regarding these tags, so continue working on relationships with your customers.