MEMO 24-10
To: Administrator, DNS, Medical Director, Infection Preventionist and QA Committee
From: Mary Gracey-White RN, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Arlette A Drigpaul, MSN RN Infection Preventionist/Education Coordinator
Date: March 27, 2024
Re: Enhanced Barrier Precautions and Covid Vaccine “Up-to-date” Definitions
As you may already be aware, on 3/20/204 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released QSO-24-08-NH which states that facilities are to incorporate Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) into their Infection Prevention and Control Program. This new guidance related to EBP is being incorporated in F880 Infection Prevention and Control, effective April 1, 2024.
The recommendations now include the use of EBP during high-contact care activities for residents with chronic wounds or indwelling medical devices, regardless of their MDRO status, in addition to residents who have an infection or colonization with a CDC-targeted or other epidemiologically important MDRO when contact precautions do not apply.
A sample policy and lesson plan for enhanced barrier precautions has been posted on our website which you may use to adapt to the needs of your facility. Do not hesitate to contact the Association if you have any questions or need further assistance.
In addition, on 3/7/2024, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its definitions for “up-to-date” with regards to the Covid-19 vaccines. This will affect your NHSN Covid-19 vaccination reporting. See here for more detailed information.
For the Quarter 2 2024 (April 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024):
- Individuals aged 65 years and older are up to date when they have:
- Received 2 doses of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, or
- Received 1 dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine within the past 4 months.
- Individuals younger than 65 years of age are up to date when they have: Received 1 dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
For questions or concerns relating to QSO-24-08-NH, please contact DNH_TriageTeam@cms.hhs.gov.
View the Enhanced Barrier Protections PDF.