Directs the department of health to establish and implement an infection inspection audit and checklist on residential care facilities, nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A1999A
SPONSOR: Gottfried TITLE OF BILL:
An act directing the department of health to establish and implement an
infection inspection audit and checklist on residential care facilities,
nursing homes and long-term care facilities
PURPOSE:
To requires facilities to adhere to an audit evaluation checklist of
core competencies relating to infection control, personal protective
equipment, staffing, clinical care, and communication.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Establishes an annual infection control competency audit commencing
October 1, 2021. The audit will use a checklist to evaluate competency
in relation to infection control, personal protective equipment, staff-
ing, clinical care, and communication.
If a facility meets at least 85% of the criteria, the facility will be
scored as "in adherence. If a facility meets between 85% and 60%, the
facility will be scored as "in adherence but warrants reinspection"
before the next annual inspection.
A facility that fails to meet 60%, will be scored as "not in adherence"
and continue with monthly audits until it meets at least 80% adherence.
Penalties may include a revocation or suspension of a facility's license
under certain conditions.
JUSTIFICATION:
At the legislatures' August 2020 public hearings on COVID-19 and Resi-
dential Health Care Facilities, it became evident that many residential
health care facilities were severely ill-equipped to protect against the
spread of COVID-19. The unpreparedness of nursing home led to them
becoming the unofficial epicenter of the pandemic, with countless tragic
and unnecessary COVID-19 related deaths. This bill will promote profi-
ciency and preparedness for any future crisis to come.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2020: A.11114 referred to Health Committee
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Ninety days after it becomes law
