Public Policy Updates

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released Claims-Based Measures Manuals and accompanying documents which provide information on how their claims-based measures are calculated for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF), Long-term Care Hospitals (LTCH), and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF).

The CDC has posted on its website 2024 immunization schedules recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and approved by CDC. See these schedules on the CDC Immunization Schedules website. The Agency has also created a new RespVaxView webpage to provide accurate and timely information about respiratory virus vaccination trends for COVID-19, Influenza, … Continued

At the request of the manufacturer, NIOSH voluntary rescinded approval for 26 Honeywell respirators. As of November 13, 2023, respirators bearing the following NIOSH approval numbers may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed: 84A-0593            84A-0594            84A-0595            84A-0596            84A-0597 84A-0598            84A-0599            84A-0600            84A-0601            84A-0602 84A-0603            84A-0604            84A-0605            84A-0606            84A-0607 84A-0608            84A-0609            84A-0610            84A-0612            … Continued

At the request of the manufacturer, NIOSH has voluntarily rescinded approval of 12 respirator models issued to AOK Tooling Limited. As of October 30, 2023, any respirator with the following NIOSH approval numbers may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed: 84A-6269             84A-6757             84A-7788             84A-8060 84A-8075             84A-8077             84A-8091             84A-8130 84A-8131             84A-8137             84A-8148             84A-8454 … Continued

Suzhou Sanical Protective Product Manufacturing posted a safety notice on its website to make users aware that their N95 respirators are not approved for use by children. The notice was issued after the manufacturer became aware of inaccurate advertising for some products. See the user safety notice.

APIC provided recommendations to CMS on the need for infection preventionists in nursing homes in response to a proposed rule on minimum long-term care (LTC) staffing requirements. We are also asking APIC members to weigh in with CMS on the proposed rule. You can click here to view and send a pre-written comment letter directly … Continued

A workgroup of CDC’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) has been reviewing and updating the 2007 Isolation Precautions guideline. The first draft of the new first section will be presented to HICPAC for a review and vote at a public meeting later this week, November 2-3. If HICPAC votes to approve the draft, … Continued

World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers, who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR. Read more about WAAW 2023 activities.

September 29, 2023 — In an effort to prepare for the coming respiratory virus season, CDC and CMS are working to raise awareness of the new prevention tools available to protect babies and older adults from illness and complications related to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Click here to learn more.