The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin enforcing new Phase III Requirements of Participation (ROP) on October 24, 2022, including robust requirements related to skilled nursing facility (SNF) infection prevention and control programs. F880—Infection Control remains the #2 Most Frequent CMS Citation.
To help providers meet the new requirements, AHCA/NCAL’s popular
Infection Preventionist Specialized Training (IPCO) is on sale through the end of 2022. Save $50 on each registration by using promo code
SAVE50 at checkout.
The training recommended for individuals responsible for infection prevention and control in all long term care settings. The new CMS Phase III guidance states that facilities should consider a backup IP when the primary IP is not available. AHCA also has long recommended that each skilled nursing facility train at least two Infection Preventionists should one Infection Preventionist leave the facility or be unavailable.
Infection preventionists (IPs) must be employed at least part-time and on-site by SNFs and must provide evidence of specialized infection control training. IPs also must actively participate in each SNF’s Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) committee.
One hundred percent of the individuals who completed the IPCO course so far in 2022 reported that they intended to apply their new knowledge and make changes at their facilities, and 99 percent also said they believed they were better equipped to implement policies and procedures to mitigate infections. A full 98 percent say they would recommend the training to others.
IPCO is designed to train Infection Preventionists and is approved for 25 ANCC contact hours. The online course is also approved for 22 NAB CEUs for Administrators. AHCA/NCAL recognizes Administrators will not serve as designated Infection Preventionists but recommends that administrators consider taking the course to gain a deeper understanding of infection prevention and control in the overall operation of a nursing facility as this remains a high target area for survey and liability.
Phase III Requirements of Participation first took effect November 28, 2019, and mandates that every nursing facility have a designated and specially trained Infection Preventionist who is running a comprehensive infection prevention and control program. The new Phase III surveyor guidance that takes effect on October 24, 2022, clarifies the expectations for IPs and SNF infection prevention programs.
The regular registration fee is $450 for AHCA/NCAL members and $650 for non-members. Using promo code
SAVE50 at checkout saves $50 on those prices. There are no refunds and no transfers. Registrants have one year to complete the course. Payment and registration are made online at
ahcancalED. Discounted group purchase rates are available for groups of 25 or more by contacting
educate@ahca.org.
Note that while CDC/CMS does offer a free infection prevention training course, AHCA’s IPCO training is far more comprehensive and includes updated information that is taught by experts with real-life practical long term care experience.
Members will need to login with their AHCA/NCAL usernames and passwords to
register for IPCO. For assistance obtaining usernames and passwords, members should e-mail
educate@ahca.org with their name and facility contact information.