Please note that this information has been superseded by a more recent item and is only retained here for reference.
AFL 20-32 From the California Department of Public Health
March 30, 2020
TO: Skilled Nursing Facilities
SUBJECT: Suspension of Regulatory Enforcement of Specified Skilled Nursing Facility Requirements
AUTHORITY: Proclamation of a State of Emergency and Executive Orders N-27-20 and N-39-20
All Facilities Letter (AFL) Summary
This AFL notifies skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) of a temporary waiver of specified regulatory requirements due to the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order N-39-20 (PDF) related to COVID-19 state of emergency, the Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) may waive any of the licensing and staffing requirements of Chapter 2 and Chapter 2.4 of Division 2 of the Health and Safety Code and accompanying regulations with respect to any hospital or health facility identified in Health and Safety Code section 1250. CDPH is temporarily waiving specified SNF licensing and staffing requirements and suspending regulatory enforcement of the following requirements:
Licensure
1. Title 22 California Code of Regulations (CCR) sections 72201 and 72203 (a)
A SNF that has submitted an application to CDPH for any of the following may begin providing care prior to obtaining approval and licensure by CDPH:
- Initial licensure
- Change of service
- Increase bed capacity
Application fees for change of services and changes of beds shall be waived temporarily for the emergency COVID-19 response. Licensure fees for initial licensure may be submitted within 60 days of filing the application.
Staffing
2. Health and Safety Code (HSC) section 1276.65 (c)(1)(B) and (C)
(B) Effective July 1, 2018, skilled nursing facilities, except those skilled nursing facilities that are a distinct part of a general acute care facility or a state-owned hospital or developmental center, shall have a minimum number of direct care services hours of 3.5 per patient day, except as set forth in Section 1276.9.
(C) Skilled nursing facilities shall have a minimum of 2.4 hours per patient day for certified nurse assistants in order to meet the requirements in subparagraph (B).
3. Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 72329.2 (a)
(a) Each facility, except those skilled nursing facilities that are a distinct part of a general acute care facility or a state-owned hospital or developmental center, shall employ sufficient nursing staff to provide a minimum of 3.5 direct care service hours per patient day, except as set forth in Health and Safety Code section 1276.9. Skilled nursing facilities shall provide a minimum of 2.4 certified nurse assistant hours per patient day to meet the requirements of this subdivision.
Services
4.Title 22 CCR sections 72379-72389
A SNF shall have flexibility in providing an activities program, including suspension of activity program requirements in section 72381, to allow for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended infection control precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in SNFs.
Space Conversion
5.Title 22 CCR section 72607 (a), (b) and (c)
(a) A facility shall not have more patients or beds set up for use than the number for which it is licensed except in case of emergency when temporary permission may be granted by the Director or designee.
(b) Patients shall not be housed in areas which have not been approved by the Department for patient housing and which have not been given a fire clearance by the State Fire Marshal except as provided in (a) above.
(c) The number of licensed beds shown on a license shall not exceed the number of beds for which the facility meets applicable construction and operational requirements.
6. Title 22 CCR section 72603
- Spaces approved for specific uses at the time of licensure shall not be converted to other uses without the approval of the Department.
- Any additional beds added for temporary use, shall ensure patient privacy and shall be placed six feet apart in accordance with CDC guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes beds temporarily set up in areas previously used for group activities including dining rooms or activity space.
This statewide waiver is approved under the following conditions:
- SNFs shall continue to comply with unusual occurrence reporting requirements specified in Title 22 CCR section 72541.
- SNFs shall continue to report all changes as required under Title 22 CCR section 72211, to CABLTC@cdph.ca.gov, however the 10-day reporting shall not apply. SNFs shall report all changes as soon as practical within 30 days of the change. When any temporary beds are no longer in use, SNFs shall report the lowering of patient capacity to CDPH.
- SNFs shall report any substantial staffing or supply shortages that jeopardize resident care or disrupt operations.
- SNFs shall continue to provide necessary care in accordance with residents’ needs and make all reasonable efforts to act in the best interest of residents.
- SNFs shall not refuse to admit or readmit a resident based on their status as a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 case. SNFs shall institute appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of infection to health care personnel and other residents as specified in AFL-20-25.1
- SNFs shall follow their disaster response plan.
- SNFs shall follow infection control guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the CDC related to COVID-19.
- SNFs shall comply with directives from their local public health department, to the extent that there is no conflict with federal or state law or directives or CDPH AFLs.
CDPH understands the importance of ensuring the health and safety of all Californians and maintaining vital access to skilled nursing services. CDPH encourages facilities to implement contingency plans to address staff absenteeism and the rapid influx of residents. CDPH will continue to promote quality healthcare and provide technical assistance and support compliance with core health and safety requirements, pursuant to Executive Order N-27-20 (PDF). CDPH is taking this unprecedented action due to the significant challenges California’s health care system is facing as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result of this temporary waiver, SNFs do not need to submit individual program flexibility requests for the above specified requirements.
This waiver is in addition to the visitation waiver granted in AFL-20-22.
This waiver is valid until June 30, 2020, and may be extended based on any updated Executive Orders, or guidance from CMS or the CDC.
CDPH will continue to investigate and conduct enforcement activities for allegations of the most serious violations impacting health and safety, pursuant to Executive Order N-27-20 (PDF).
For capacity tracking purposes during COVID-19, SNFs shall submit an application when seeking initial licensure or changing beds or services listed on their license. This shall not require approval of the application before the SNF may provide care, although CDPH will reach out to provide technical assistance to ensure patient safety and the quality of care.
If you have any questions about this AFL, please contact your local district office.
Sincerely,
Original signed by Heidi W. Steinecker
Heidi W. Steinecker
Deputy Director
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