Previously, CMS regional and state officials had five days to complete investigations into complaints specific to the labor act and deaths associated with restraint or seclusion at hospitals.
Under the revised timeline, surveyors have to be on site to start the investigation within two business days and complete the survey without interruption.
“This change brings these two categories of complaint investigations in line with other potential immediate jeopardy investigations in Medicare-participating non-long-term care facilities,” CMS stated.
The revised timeline was put into effect June 4.
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