Edition 8: June 7, 2024

It’s almost summertime and what does that mean in the south? Trips to the beach, bar-b-ques with the family and EXTREMELY high temperatures.

When is the last time you had your HVAC inspected? According to Regulation 61-84 section 2501.A, the HVAC system must be inspected at least once a year by a certified/licensed technician. Additionally, section 2501.B states that facilities must maintain a temperature of between 72 and 78 degrees F. in resident areas.



Check those HVACs and let’s keep our residents cool this summer!

All Federal surveys for NH will require the use of the 671. Please ensure this information is accurate. You can access the 671 on the CMS website, or using the button below.

Section F9:

01 should be coded if the facility is Medicare ONLY

02 should be coded if the facility is Medicaid ONLY

03 should be coded if the facility is dually certified for Medicare and Medicaid

Reintroducing South Carolina's MDS/RAI Coordinator, Nicole Paul, DNP, MSN, RN

For all Minimum Data Set (MDS) or Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) related inquiries, Nicole Paul can be reached using the contact information below:

paulni@dhec.sc.gov

Cell: (803) 605-1232

Office: (803) 545-4658

On May 20, 2024, Governor McMaster signed into law S.558 which adds Section 44-31-40 to the S.C. Code of Laws regarding the tuberculosis screening of nursing home or community residential care facility residents admitted from a hospital.

Prior to admission of such residents, the nursing home or community residential care facility (CRCF) must:

1. Request and receive a written declaration, which can be in a hospital progress note or discharge summary, from an authorized healthcare provider that, based upon medical examination, the resident has no signs or symptoms of active tuberculosis;
2. Within 3 days of admission of the resident, administer the first step of the two-step tuberculin skin test (TST) to the resident; and
3. Within 14 days of admission of the resident, administer the second step of the two-step TST to the resident.

Additionally, a nursing home or CRCF may substitute a single blood assay for mycobacterium tuberculosis (BAMT) for a two-step TST. Further, if the facility has documentation that within the 12-month period prior to admission the resident obtained a negative tuberculin skin test or a negative single BAMT, then it may administer a single TST or single BAMT within 14 days of the resident’s admission.

Section 44-31-40 does not concern residents admitted from settings other than a hospital. The resident tuberculosis screening requirements for residents admitted from other settings can be found at Regulation 61-17 Section 1704 for nursing homes and Regulation 61-84 Section 1702.E and -F for CRCFs.

Did you know that in conducting fire drills in CRCFs all residents must evacuate to the outside of the building to the selected assembly point? This applies to all shifts and times and all residents must be capable of evacuating with little to no assistance. In instances where the resident refuses to participate or is unable to evacuate it may be necessary to implement the discharge planning process. (See 61-84.1504 for complete requirements). The fire alarm system must also be activated when conducting all fire drills.

In nursing homes, fire drills are still required quarterly; however, they do not involve actual evacuation. The plan is to move residents to an adjacent smoke compartment until a complete evacuation is required. The fire alarm system must also be activated during fire drills except during normal sleep hours, which are defined by the Life Safety Code as 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

There is not a time limit for evacuation in either facility. The goal is a safe and orderly evacuation or movement of residents. For more information, please contact Healthcare Quality's Fire & Life Safety Section.

Healthcare Quality

S.C. Dept. of Health & Environmental Control

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