The number of nursing homes cited nationally for impeding residents’ right to have visitors jumped 250% in the most recent survey cycle, a new analysis shows.
The number of tags for F-563 given in the last cycle remained relatively low at 200, compared to more than 9,200 infection and prevention control citations in the same period.
But the rise from 57 the previous cycle and just 17 the one before shows attention may be shifting, veteran observers say. Providers must continue to wade carefully as they attempt to protect patients’ physical health during the pandemic — while also avoiding isolating them.
Some states, including California and New York, recently adopted policies that deny nursing home entry to would-be visitors who are unvaccinated or can’t produce a negative COVID-19 test. Meanwhile, federal officials have maintained that nursing homes must allow visitation for residents “at all times.” The guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not change significantly in the face of the omicron variant.
Data reviewed last week by StarPRO, an analytics and star-rating software firm, did not find that visitation tags given since Jan. 1, 2021, strictly correlated to states that have since restricted visitor access.
North Carolina led the pack, with some 20 visitation rights tags in surveys of 426 homes. In Wyoming, on the other hand, the tag was given only three times. But with just 36 surveys conducted statewide, the tag was given in nearly 10% of all inspected.
“This is really more a function of COVID and people losing patience with the policies that are in place,” explained Spencer Blackman, director of product and partner at StarPRO. “Especially with a new variant coming out, access that may have been given before is all of a sudden shut off. People get frustrated and can’t see their loved ones. What will be interesting to see is how many of these are related to complaint surveys.”
Whether the numbers continue to increase could be dictated by changing COVID conditions, Blackman added.
Consumer groups have vocally opposed new visitor restrictions, with National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care earlier this month polling families about facilities that were limiting access.
At the same time, several states instituted stricter rules as omicron sent case counts soaring.
In California, a health order requiring proof of vaccination, a booster shot, and a negative COVID test before entering any skilled nursing facility continues at least through Monday (Feb. 7).
In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also required nursing home visitors to show proof of a negative test within 24 hours of their visit and wear a surgical mask, as opposed to a cloth one.
Connecticut, Maryland and Rhode Island also adopted more restrictive rules in mid-January.
