Image of nurses' hands at computer keyboard

The new survey process for skilled nursing facilities is expected to be made more efficient by drawing on the strengths of two existing processes, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials said in October.

Evan Shulman, CMS Deputy Director in the Division of Nursing Homes, shared the agency’s methodology in creating the new process during a conference call with providers.

“We’ve been looking at the best practices, or what can we leverage to improve the survey process overall,” Shulman said. “We think that one survey process may create more efficiency.”’

The creation of the new process included an analysis of the strengths of current Quality Indicator Survey and the traditional survey process, including the computer-based QIS’ advantage at identifying unnecessary medications. 

The new survey also was partially spurred by the new rules of participation  for long-term care providers; it will take effect on Nov. 28, 2017, when the second phase of regulations is implemented.

“When you put all of this together it really compels us to look at and revise the survey process,” Shulman said.